Mar 6, 2023

Atlanta Apparel introduces autumn/winter 2023 trends, resources

Atlanta Apparel will feature expanded resources the for autumn/winter 2023 season, amenities, a full event schedule and an optimized calendar for the market, shifting dates forward and opening first-floor temporary exhibits one day early, according to International Market Centers (IMC).

The Atlanta Apparel market runs March 28-April 1 at AmericasMart Atlanta.

“Atlanta Apparel’s continued expansion is a reflection of the positive growth of the apparel industry and we look forward to welcoming all buyers and brands back to Atlanta to continue conducting business,” said Caron Stover, senior vice president of apparel at IMC. “The last week in March is the perfect date to host this crossover apparel, bridal and social occasion market. Brands are ready to debut new styles and the earlier March timeframe avoids overlap with Spring religious holidays and school schedules for Southeastern buyers.”

New and expanded resources

This March, Atlanta Apparel will highlight autumn/winter 2023 trends as well as popular categories — resort, sustainable and shoes — across its 315-plus temporary exhibits and more than 350 permanent showrooms.

According to IMC, new and notable permanent showrooms open this March for Atlanta Apparel’s season break market include: Anju (cash & carry accessories); James Paul Apparel (contemporary); Camel Threads (cash & carry accessories); Cardin McCoy (children’s); Helen’s Heart (contemporary and shoes); James Paul Apparel (contemporary); Seamless Showroom (contemporary); and Soleil Sales (contemporary).

Atlanta Apparel’s five floors of temporary exhibits continue to expand its footprint, with many returning exhibitors taking larger booths to showcase complete lines. Exhibitors located on the first floor of AmericasMart Building 3 open on Tuesday, March 28 – one day prior to temporaries on other floors and concurrently with permanent showrooms – providing buyers with four full days to shop more than 50 young contemporary, contemporary and cash & carry brands.

Notable temporary exhibitors are carrying popular sourcing categories – shoes, sustainability and resort – this March. Popular brands bringing shoes include: Sam Edelman; Steve Madden; All Black; Bos & Co; Tom’s; Lines of Denmark; Soda Footwear; and Marc Fisher. Sustainable brands in temporary exhibits include: ABLE (contemporary apparel & accessories); Headbands of Hope (Accessories); Jaded Gypsy (contemporary); Mittoshop (young contemporary); and Skies Are Blue (young contemporary). Notable brands showing popular resort styles are: J. Marie (contemporary); Oliphant (contemporary); Pearly Vine (contemporary); Smith & Quinn (contemporary); and Vineyard Vines (contemporary).

For March Atlanta Apparel, showrooms and first floor temporary exhibits run Tuesday, March 28 – Friday, March 31; and temporary exhibits on Floors 2-5 run Wednesday, March 29 – Friday, March 31. New this year, permanent showrooms and temporary exhibits will open at 8:30 a.m. (giving buyers an additional 30 minutes to source and shop), with all temporary exhibits closing at 6 p.m. daily, except on Friday when they close at 3 p.m. Select showrooms will be open Saturday, April 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and appointments are highly encouraged.

Events, education and amenities

March Atlanta Apparel will feature events, education and amenities focused on the season break. On Thursday evening, buyers are invited to celebrate autumn/winter 2023 trends at the Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) fashion show pre-party from 6 to 6:30 p.m., and identify leading trends in the signature Fashion In The Streets runway show at 6:30 p.m.

The fashion show will feature styles curated from the combined trend forecasting teams at Atlanta Apparel and WWD. In addition to the fashion show, buyers can learn more about upcoming autumn/winter 2023 trends in a WWD-moderated panel discussion with industry leading brands, Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Atrium, and throughout market via the trend vignette located in the Floor 2 registration lobby.

Additional market events and amenities this March include a happy hour on Wednesday from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Atrium with a live DJ and complimentary beverages, and a Mid-Market Soiree for buyers to network Thursday at noon in the atrium.

Additionally, IMC says that retailers can draw inspiration from Atlanta Apparel’s three curated category lounges: Shoes on Floor 3, New and Sustainable on Floor 4 and Resort on Floor 5. Each lounge will offer a different amenity each day of market: Wednesday, Floor 3 will feature a permanent bracelet station sponsored by Magnolia Charms; Thursday, Floor 4 will present a braid bar sponsored by Teleties; and Friday, Floor 5 will offer a beverage station.

Hallmark market amenities include grab-and-go breakfast and coffee from Wednesday through Friday, a live DJ daily upon arrival daily on the first floor of Building 3, two happy hours presented by the Boutique Hub – one on Wednesday and one on Thursday – from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Boutique Hub booth on Floor 5 and daily new buyer orientation sessions led by Sarabeth Jackson, IMC’s director of buyer services for apparel.