by MIKE CHAIKEN
CTFashionMag.com
The biggest trend at Curve New York on July 31 wasn’t about lingerie or swimwear.
Mind you, there was plenty of that. After all, it was a market show and brands and designers brought their latest collections to present to buyers for the autumn winter 2021 season.
The biggest trend at the market, however, was just that. Brands were intent on selling. And buyers were intent on filling their racks and shelves.
This was a different Curve for 2021. But the same.
After the COVID-19 pandemic forced Curve to go virtual in 2020 and early 2021, things were back to in-person—just like the days of old.
However, the context also was different from events in, let’s say, 2019.
Rather than packing the floors of the cavernous Javits Center, Curve moved to the Spring Studios in Tribeca. There were far fewer vendors given the small more intimate environs. There also were far fewer buyers.
And, given the rise of the delta variant of COVID, masks were required.
The smaller confines also meant there were far fewer bells and whistles to draw in buyers. There were fewer tchotchkes. There was almost no need for the brands to make eye contact to lure in potential business. Most buyers arrived with appointments in hand and their efforts were managed with more surgical precision. In and out, bye-bye.
So, at every booth, marketing representatives and buyers were sitting down, clipboards in hand, working out purchases and shipments.
There also were far fewer models on the floor to present what the garments would like on human beings. Again, models were not necessary to pull the buyers in. Merchandise was royal, not presentation.
In fashion terms, however, what trends could be seen?
First, diversity ruled.
Brands on the floor presented garments that reflected a variety of body types and needs. There were garments presented for the traditional fashion model body types. However, there were different shapes as well. From curvy to petite. And the marketing materials, from catalogues to posters, reflected a variety of women and gender preferences who might be potential customers for these garments.
Although the fashion models demonstrating the garments for buyers were seen in more monochromatic tones or blacks and whites, the racks told a different story. Poking its way through the neutrals, the color palate at Curve was more vibrant and varied. After a year and a half of the pandemic, where comfort was king, brands were betting that women were willing to let some color back in their lives.
And fabrics diverged from the practical cottons and breathable blends to sensual satins and lace.
Easton International Brands, Easton International, which represented such lines as Dita Von Teese, Pretty Polly, Conturelle and Gossard, confirmed the presence of bold colors in its list of trends for the autumn winter 2021 season.
In the same cheerful realm as bold colors, the company also said boutiques should plan on carrying more floral prints.
Easton also said that boutiques should keep an eye on Valentine’s Day and should expect a demand for garments that reflect a more sexy side of customers.
Easton also emphasized one of the less visible dimensions of lingerie trends. Lingerie that reflects the move toward sustainable fashion also will be in demand from customers.
