May 5, 2008

MAGIC Marketplace Drives Eco-Fashion From Harvest to High Street

Woodland Hills, Calif. – Eco-fashion is the apparel industry’s fastest growing and most meaningful trend, and MAGIC International announced the launch of a new show floor experience for August 2008, ECOLLECTION @ MAGIC, dedicated to fostering the market’s rapidly developing interest in eco business.

The MAGIC Marketplace, the industry’s preeminent trade event, is responding to the global need for a fashion marketplace committed to sustainability, where eco leaders can do business and share ideas. ECOLLECTION, August 25-27, will showcase the fashion industry’s most comprehensive collection of environmentally-conscious apparel and lifestyle brands while also providing interactive sustainability education and tools. This platform will offer eco leaders in the fashion community the rare opportunity to learn about trends in sustainable fashion and connect with retail buyers hungry for eco-product.

“At MAGIC, we work with everyone in the apparel business – fabric suppliers, manufacturers, brands, and retailers, all of whom are striving to determine what eco means to them”, said Chris DeMoulin, President of MAGIC International. “Consumers want more eco-friendly and sustainable fashion options, and we are excited to meet this growing demand by offering domestic and international retailers ready access to the most sought-after eco-fashion resources, while supporting the development of environmental consciousness, and its evolution within the apparel sector.”

Eco business consultant and Los Angeles Sustainable Business Council board member, Lorelyn Eaves, has been brought on by MAGIC International’s parent company, Advanstar, to lead the development of ECOLLECTION as well as drive environmental initiatives through the entire company’s operations.

“Since the MAGIC Marketplace’s audience encompasses players from virtually every spectrum of the apparel supply chain, we are in a unique position to help facilitate the industry’s necessary drive toward a more sustainable future,” said Eaves.

ECOLLECTION will offer visitors more than a traditional booth environment. The show will come to life through education, music, art and networking opportunities. In collaboration with partners like the Organic Exchange and MusicMatters – the nationally renowned green entertainment and marketing firm – ECOLLECTION will feature an impressive array of environmental trail blazers including speakers, artists and musician/activists.

Environmental fashion brands Alternative Earth, Jonano, ONNO, bgreen apparel, Beckons Organic, Dash Hemp, Escama Studio, Spiritual Gangster, Z-Ply’s Earth Co., Ecoland Inc., and international labels Tika Merino, and Intertec’s Suria, have already secured floor space inECOLLECTION in Central Hall, which will be a juried showcase with 60-80 brands expected for the August show.

About MAGIC International
Every August and February, the fashion industry converges on Las Vegas for the most influential event in the business – the MAGIC Marketplace. The next event takes place August 25-27, 2008 in the Las Vegas Convention Center and Hilton (Sourcing at MAGIC runs August 24-27, 2008). For more information, call (310) 659-5380 or log onto www.MAGIConline.com.

MAGIC International is a subsidiary of Advanstar Communications, the world’s largest and most widely recognized organizer of trade shows for the apparel industry producing the MAGIC Marketplace in Las Vegas featuring MAGIC, WWDMAGIC, MAGIC kids and Sourcing at MAGIC as well as sister shows PROJECT and POOL.