The latest iteration of the International Lingerie Show opened in Las Vegas on Sunday, and this one looks to be the biggest show yet. For the first time, demand for exhibition space has overtaken the show's usual area and has spilled over into two adjacent halls. Floor traffic at the show's opening was light, reflecting the non-status of Sunday mornings in Las Vegas, following as closely as they do on the tail end of Saturday nights.
Later in the morning, as people began to sweep the cobwebs out of their eyes, the expected throngs of buyers arrived and the show took on the intense business hustle-and-flow it's known for. In addition to the usual suspects, this year's October show featured many more purely novelty companies than in the past. Glass was much in evidence, represented by Phallix and Melligan, accompanied by silicone (Tantus) and the best novelties Japan has to offer (Vibratex).
Bob Christian of retailer Adam & Eve explained his company's plunge into franchising, which may prove to be an extremely profitable way to expand the respected brand. The folks at lube and enhancer manufacturer Kama Sutra put us on notice that they're going to have a big announcement in the near future, but were tight-lipped about its nature. We're guessing it's an alliance, but we'll have to wait and see. In the same vein, SoundsErotic's Brian OliverSmith also expressed excitement about a new alliance; but he, too, played it close to the vest for now.
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| Click here for gallery. (Photos: Hewman Being) |
Up-and-coming Electric Lingerie, shooting for nothing less than industry leadership, staged its own mini fashion show during the afternoon, with some of the show's hottest models. It's hard to say what caused the greater stir, the models or the open bar that took orders all afternoon.
In addition to the exhibitors, several industry movers and shakers were spotted working select segments of the crowd. Topco Sales CEO Scott Tucker was seen shaking hands with some of his clients, while Dennis Paradise of Paradise Marketing paid close attention to his own retailers.
Although Sundays are traditionally slow show days, if today's action was any indication Monday should be a blockbuster.
