International Market Center (IMC) wrapped up its latest Atlanta Apparel market on a high note, with impressive attendance and order writing, as well as growing brand relationships between buyers and exhibitors.

The market, held June 8-11 at AmericasMart Atlanta, is one of five yearly Atlanta Apparel shows for wholesale buyers, exhibitors and industry professionals, and the last opportunity for buyers and brands to finalize orders for autumn and winter 2022, as well as source immediates.

Depending on the time of year, Atlanta Apparel markets feature the latest looks in contemporary, young contemporary, women’s modern, shoes, fashion accessories and more, plus specialty categories such as children’s and plus-size.

“Atlanta Apparel is the premier destination for brands to invest in their businesses and establish and grow connections with new and returning buyers,” said Caron Stover, senior vice president, apparel for International Market Centers. “Buyers came to June Atlanta Apparel to close out order writing through the end of the year, and our brands stepped up by offering everything from immediates and game-day apparel and accessories to autumn, winter and holiday [offerings].”

Attendance for the June edition of Atlanta Apparel was heavily front-loaded, with 80% of buyers checking in through day one of the four-day market. Attendees hailed from 38 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, as well as six international countries. The June market welcomed many new buyers, who took advantage of the market’s New Buyer Orientation tours each morning.

Center of Business and Inspiration

As the southeastern hub for apparel sourcing, exhibitors and buyers alike convene at Atlanta Apparel to meet clients in their target markets, foster long-standing relationships and stay in tune with the industry.

For its June edition, Atlanta Apparel presented more than 350 permanent showrooms and more than 400 temporary exhibits. The market’s showroom format allows brands to invest in custom-building a space to welcome returning and new clientele.

Janel Heinsen, southeastern sales representative for Joseph Ribkoff, celebrated the grand opening of the brand’s new showroom at the June market.

“The introduction of our showroom has been a long time coming, and we are thrilled to finally have a permanent space in Atlanta,” Heinsen said. “We knew that the exposure in Atlanta would be so great for the company, and we are able to see so many of our accounts here.”

She added, “In my region, probably 50% to 60% of our accounts that we currently do business with come to Atlanta Apparel at least once per year.”

Many buyers in attendance at the June market also focused on visiting exhibitors who they have met in Atlanta and worked with for years, such as Allison Drake, owner of Island Passage Clothing.

“We've worked with a number of Atlanta Apparel showrooms for about 20 years, and we continue to come back to work with the same reps,” Drake said. “Our Atlanta showroom relationships are so easy to build and continue.”

Barbara Levitt, CEO and lead buyer for M&F Stores, noted that she visits Atlanta Apparel at least four times per year to source her inventory in showrooms, where she has long-standing relationships and can see many lines all together.

“Through sourcing from Atlanta and seeing many lines regularly, I am able to stay up to date with the direction of the industry,” Levitt said.

Live Education and Networking Opportunities

Throughout the June Atlanta Apparel market, IMC continued its live education and market celebrations to reunite attendees and keep them abreast of the latest industry happenings.

Highlights included trend forecaster Jessica Richards, who spoke about upcoming autumn and winter accessories trends; a vignette on accessories trends that was produced in partnership with The Accessories Council; and a discussion about implementing diversity into business, which was led by Kiarra Norman.

Both educational sessions were well-attended, as was Thursday’s Mid-Day Soiree networking and educational event, where market-goers were able to learn more about industry technology for live selling from CommentSold.

Atlanta Apparel’s next market will be held Aug. 2-6, 2022, at AmericasMart.

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