News

August 16, 2022
IMCs’ three concurrent markets draw buyers and brands across multiple categories

International Market Centers’ (IMC) three concurrent markets Atlanta Apparel, VOW Bridal & Formal Atlanta and World of Prom & Social Occasion drew buyers and brands across multiple categories to source Spring/Summer ‘23 styles, Aug. 1-6 at AmericasMart Atlanta.

“The bridal and social occasion industries are booming right now,” said Caron Stover, senior vice president, apparel for International Market Centers (IMC). “Business is back and better than ever, with Atlanta Apparel offering buyers a one-stop-shop across categories like bridal, prom, accessories, children’s resort, and of course general apparel.”

Steady attendance from the combined apparel, bridal and social occasion markets drew retailers from 47 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands as well as 26 international countries and, IMC reported more than 16% year-over-year growth in buyers sourcing social occasion.

Atlanta Apparel Buyers and Brands

Atlanta Apparel’s August edition showcased the newest in Spring/Summer 2023 across its 400+ temporary exhibits and 450+ permanent showrooms, with emphasis on popular categories: accessories, children’s, holiday and resort. The Atlanta Apparel Live Model Presentation featured 10 looks bringing resort trends, such as sarong skirts, matching sets, crochet, bralettes and bold prints, to life.

“Atlanta is the southeastern destination for retailers to get all the products they need to carry them through the end of the year,” added Stover. “Buyers saw upcoming trends for the Spring/Summer ‘23 season throughout Atlanta’s many showrooms, temporary exhibits and trend educational vignettes.”

Atlanta Apparel Markets

International Market Centers (IMC’s) five 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. The next Atlanta Apparel Market is Oct. 11-15, 2022, (temporary exhibits Oct. 12-14) at AmericasMart Atlanta. For information, visit www.atlanta-apparel.com.

Social Occasion and Bridal Categories

World of Prom and VOW Bridal & Formal Atlanta reported energized and enthusiastic buyers riding the wave of strong consumer sales in bridal and social categories. Together, the two markets featured 150+ individual collections in both permanent showrooms and temporary exhibits, with many prom brands identifying August 2022 as one of the best markets to date.

“Bridal and social occasion floors were on fire this August,” added IMC’s Stover. “Retailers are in need of new prom styles before one of the busiest prom seasons in years, and Atlanta Apparel brings buyers and brands together for the extended order writing these categories need.”

The VOW and World of Prom Fashion Show was heavily attended, with retailers and exhibitors eager to pinpoint next season’s biggest trends across all social occasion categories. The runway fashion show, which was held in an intimate, garden-like setting, showcased some 90 looks featuring bridal and social occasion best sellers.

VOW Bridal & Formal now presents its collection of bridal, prom, quinceañera, mother-of-the-bride, accessories, homecoming and special occasion lines three times annually: April and August in Atlanta and August in Las Vegas.

The next VOW Bridal and Formal Atlanta market will happen March 28-30, 2023; and VOW Bridal & Formal Las Vegas runs Aug. 15-17, 2022 at the Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas.

The next edition of World of Prom and Social Occasion will run at AmericasMart Atlanta in August 2023. For more information, visit https://www.atlanta-apparel.com/Markets/VOW-Bridal-and-Formal and https://www.atlanta-apparel.com/Markets/World-of-Prom.




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