Early Excitement for First Atlanta Apparel Market of 2021

Atlanta Apparel is anticipating a successful kick off to its 2021 trade show year with International Market Centers (IMC) reporting strong leasing and pre-registration for the February Atlanta Apparel Market, February 2-6, 2021 at AmericasMart Atlanta.

“The industry is looking to Atlanta with excitement and optimism based on IMC’s successful and safe hosting of seven markets at AmericasMart in the second half of 2020,” said Caron Stover, senior vice president of leasing, Apparel. “We set the standard for market safety when we reopened for business in June. The brands and the buyers are ready to come together again, and we look forward to continuing to exceed their expectations this February.”

Buyer pre-registrations for the February market are at pre-pandemic levels with strong representation from the Southeast and notable growth in Midwestern retailers, reports Stover.

Original Atlanta Apparel illustration showcasing Spring / Summer 2021 trends.

The Showroom Experience Shines in February

The 300+ Atlanta Apparel permanent resources grow with new and expanded showrooms debuting this winter, including Clarity Custom Jewelry (custom fine jewelry), Clover Cottage (luxury baby apparel and accessories), Freespirit Accessories (bohemian and spiritual jewelry and accessories), Ishtex (classic baby and children’s clothing), MARQUE Luxury (authentic pre-owned designer goods), a combined showroom for Splendid (premium casual clothing for women and children) and PJ Salvage (pajamas) and Yana K (American-made women’s comfort pieces). Anju Jewelry (sustainable, artisan jewelry) relocates to Floor 7 from Floor 6. These updates join the thousands of women’s, men’s and children’s lines available throughout the year in Atlanta Apparel’s permanent offerings. The full list of Atlanta Apparel showrooms is available online at Atlanta-Apparel.com/exhibitor/exhibitor-directory.

“Atlanta Apparel’s hybrid presentation of showrooms resources and temporary exhibits is a differentiator from other trade-show-only events,” adds Stover. “Retailers are able to enjoy an immersive one-stop-shopping buying experience with both full collections and emerging resources; and exhibitors are able to control the experience from both a brand-building and traffic-flow perspective. Buyers can browse and discover new lines or choose to set appointments for reserved time with exhibitors.”

Optimized Trade Show Presentation

Atlanta Apparel continues to perfect its temporary presentation as it prepares to present nearly 1,000 booths at the February market.

“We are building upon the successful staging of our temporaries in October to create an even better experience in February,” notes Stover. “Buyers should expect more brands, more product and an even more comfortable buying experience.”

Of note for February 2021 is major expansions by jewelry and accessories brands. Among the 15+ brands growing their spaces are a number of handmade jewelry and accessory brands including Magnolia Charms (made in Atlanta), Mary Kathryn Design (made in Nashville), Seeds Jewelry (made in Minnesota and Haiti) ALV Jewels (made in Columbus, OH), Girl with a Pearl (made in Nashville), Gypsy South (made in Atlanta), Melania Clara (made in Atlanta), Treasure Jewels (made in Colombia and San Antonio, TX) and Yochi NY (made in New York).

New for February 2021, the temporary exhibits will feature an updated floorplan with gracious 12-foot aisles for comfortable, socially distanced shopping. The five categories of temporaries are organized on five floors as: Premiere Contemporary Apparel, Shoes and Accessories on Floor 2; Women’s Apparel and Jewelry & Fashion Accessories on Floor 3; Young Contemporary on Floors 4 and 5; and Children’s on Floor 13.

February also marks the first of two showings in 2021 for Atlanta Apparel’s dedicated children’s temporaries, which join more than 80 showrooms to present nearly 900 top lines of clothing, specialty items and products to meet the everyday needs of children’s buyers. The Floor 13 temporary pavilion presents Angel Dear (classic baby clothing and accessories), Appaman (Scandinavian children’s clothing), Haven Girl (fun and funky girls’ clothing), KicKee Pants (infant and toddler apparel), Posh Peanut (hypoallergenic baby clothes), Properly Tied (bow ties, pocket tees and hats) and more. Additionally, some 25+ brands in the women’s showrooms and temporaries also will show children’s clothing in “Mommy & Me” styles.

New Pre-Market Planning Tools

Atlanta Apparel is expanding its pre-market planning resources with new digital tools including a new website – live now at Atlanta-Apparel.com – dedicated exclusively to IMC’s apparel markets with relevant content and expanded search capabilities. It is the virtual home of Atlanta Apparel’s trend and market resources, including look books and digital fashion shows. Additionally, it includes travel information and dining guide showcasing on-campus options and the dozens of restaurants within walking distance of the marketcenter.

In support of buyers’ needs, Atlanta Apparel is adding pre-market planning and educational content for the February 2021 Market. The week before the market – Wednesday, January 27 – Friday, January 29 – Atlanta Apparel presents on IGTV (@AtlantaApparel) @Sell_Eat_Love’s Lindsey Rozier with quick tips and tricks on how to shop and get the most out of Market in “Market Tips” at 10 a.m. and Atlanta Apparel’s Fashion Office showcases curated trends in “Trend Insight” at noon. The day before market – Monday, February 1 – features a full day of education with Laurie Pressman, vice-president of the PANTONE Color Institute sharing “The Colors and The Trends Driving The Apparel Industry in 2021” at 10 a.m.; Natasha Samuel of Sol Studio Marketing presenting “5 Steps for Content Batching on Instagram” at noon; and DeAnna McIntosh, founder of Global Retail Consultant & Diversity Retail Inc., leading an insightful conversation in the first of four “Diversity in Retail” sessions at 2 p.m. Reservations for the webinars can be completed at Atlanta-Apparel.com/Events.

At-market, virtual trend programming on IGTV includes @City.Peach’s Mireille Beckwith in “Fashion Insider” with tips for market each day at 10 a.m. Sips & Snaps digital fashion shows on IGTV will feature Children’s on Wednesday, February 3 at noon, new exhibitors on Thursday, February 4 at noon and Young Contemporary on Friday, February 5 at noon.

Safety Remains a Top Priority

Atlanta Apparel will continue its commitment to the safety of all participants by following IMC’s Together Safely plan. Together Safely measures in place for the market include the required used of CDC-approved face coverings, temperature checks, contactless registration and enhanced cleaning of the building. In addition, a downtown shuttle will be offered for door-to-door transportation to and from nearby hotels Wednesday through Friday, and personal escorts by IMC security team members are available upon request. The campus also features several directly-connected hotels that provide access to the market without the need to step outside.

For the February 2021 Atlanta Apparel Market, showrooms are open February 2 – 5, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and February 6, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Temporaries are open February 3 – 5, 2021 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. For more information, visit Atlanta-Apparel.com/February. Pre-registration, which is required, is available at Atlanta-Apparel.com/Attend/Registration.

Atlanta Apparel’s markets feature the latest looks in contemporary, young contemporary, ready-to-wear, fashion accessories and more, plus specialty categories such as children’s, plus-size, bridal and social occasion. Market information is available online at Atlanta-Apparel.com.

About International Market Centers: International Market Centers (IMC) is the world’s largest operator of premier showroom space for furniture, gift, home décor, rug, and apparel industries. International Market Centers owns and operates nearly 20 million square feet of world-class exhibition space in High Point, N.C., Las Vegas and Atlanta. IMC’s mission is to build and operate an innovative, sustainable, profitable and scalable platform for the furniture, gift, home décor, rug, and apparel industries. For more information on IMC, visit IMCenters.com.

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Media Contacts:

Chelsea Peabody Bohannon, 404-220-2141, cbohannon@imcenters.com

Cathy Steel, 203-340-9251, cathysteel@cathysteelassociates.com