Coterie, Capsule and Woman bring high energy to NY women's market

By

Obi Anyanwu

Published
Sep 26, 2017

The New York women’s market season was very energetic in September, despite the looming concerns about retail.

 
Woman, the Paris-based international contemporary trade show, was held at Spring Studios and retained its intimate vibe. NYFW labels Calvin Luo and Creatures of Comfort joined Norse Projects, Corridor NYC, YMC, Veja and other brands in the Woman community.
 
Capsule, at Pier 94, was bustling with attendees on Monday after a slow start on Sunday. The show saw the return of the Above Tree Line and Elements activations, as well as the active Axis show that has been a part of Capsule for over one year.  The lineup for Axis was small and included brands such as Miss Runner, Wear it to Heart, and Thaikila, but they were lifted by the vast brand selection this season that included PH5, Han Kjøbenhavn, PRPS, Westerlind, Stutterheim, Albertus Swanepoel, and K/ller Collection.

Coterie rounded out the trade show season with new activations at its numerous shows. Stitch, Sole Commerce, Fame, Moda, and Accessories the Show occupied the lower level of the Javits Center, while the main floor was occupied by Coterie, which shared the show floor with Edit, the luxury and contemporary show that featured Yeohlee NY, Sachin & Babi and Mi Jong Lee, advanced contemporary show TMRW for emerging designers, and dedicated sections for footwear and accessories.
 
The Italian Trade Agency also partnered with Coterie to showcase a number of Italian brands at the show, including Neapolitan darling Amina Rubinacci.
 
Like Capsule, Coterie featured a section devoted to activewear and included 2(x)ist, Beyond Yoga and Urban Savage. Nearby, a new activation named Khora Energy Lounge introduced show goers to what is believed to be the next frontier in retail, energy and wellness.
 
Corinna Springer curated the activation that featured wellness brands like AwaveAwake, Arjuna AG, and Yarnlight Collective, a new line by former Dior and Kenzo designer Adam Jones that offers knitwear imprinted with healing energy. Springer, who over the years has represented designers and brands such as Robert Geller, Rochambeau, and AF Vandevorst, is a healing practitioner herself and performed energy foot baths at the lounge. Mark Connolly, former Style Director at Conde Nast Traveler, also joined Springer and practiced Reiki at the space.
 
Fashion retail is changing and the trade shows are changing with it, looking for new ways to capture consumer interest.