New York Fabric and Trim Show - Updated!

You won't believe me when I tell you this, but the first picture below what you are reading is... fabric.  

Really.

It is.

There are no gems in the photo below.  This is a simple photo of the fabric, laid on the table. I took this picture with my phone. The fabric is a digital print.  I don't know if this print has a name, but I've decided to call it "Bling", and frankly, you've gotta see it to believe it.

Elliott Berman

I've been to this show (formerly called "DG Expo") before, but this time was different. I visited the show on Thursday (1/19), looked at the offerings of many businesses familiar to me from previous shows, noted the absence of many others I have seen over the years, but had very interesting conversations and creativity-fueling introductions and idea bubbles with businesses I had not encountered before, that really got my wheels turning. The fairly light attendance made the vendors hungry to talk and engage, and anyone visiting the show benefitted from that.

I'll just have to summarize the rest at this point, or this post will become a novel!

I ADORED so many of the fantastic offerings from Elliott Berman. The two fabrics below offer just a sliver of the great fabrics they have to offer.  Some sold out at the show VERY quickly, but believe me, there are still enough other choices to light anyone's fire.

Elliott Berman

Elliott Berman

While this was the true highlight of my experience there that day, I also discovered a few businesses I did not know about before. 

This post is being written gradually.  I am going through my notes and goodies, posting as I go... Visit again later, and there will be more updates!

Benno's Buttons

I found an interesting Texas-based business, Benno's Buttons and Trimmings, which had a really intriguing arrangement of steampunk buttons on the display table.  Beyond the steampunk collection, they had a lovely and interesting button assortment that drew me in.  While there is no shortage of button businesses in the garment district, the uniqueness of their offerings, friendliness of the vendor, new website, and tiny minimal order requirements make them particularly appealing to small businesses, and businesses outside of New York City. Be sure to visit the website, to get a feel for how well curated their button offerings are.

Rainbow Leather

Psst...They have a showroom in College Point, Queens, too... (By appointment... and that only matters to those who dare to venture, but I find it kinda exciting! )  Check out the website, and you will see that they do a lot with textures, painting, and perforations. Really interesting samples at the display table, and they are very serious about what they do!

Planet Bling

Normally, I really wouldn't care about this kind of stuff, but this business (in addition to having some really dynamic personalities representing them) had some very high quality transfer work on the display pieces exhibited at their vendor table.  Intricate detail, in vibrant colors, navigating tight corners and curves...  For promotional goods, patches and stuff, I would sincerely consider them.  Visit their website here.

Yara African Fabric

What a lovely display of sturdy African fabrics, which are hitting a trendy high note right now.  Website is absolutely worth visiting.

Basic Adhesives

Interesting for a variety of reasons.  Serving the handbag, belt, footwear, and leather good production process, this company provides environmentally friendly adhesives and edge stains.  As a sponsor of the Independent Handbag Designer Awards, they have plenty to share about what it takes to make a great one.  On display, was a recommended book by Emily Blumenthal, entitled "Handbag Designer 101" and an offer to try their adhesive and edge stain sample kit, which is only $24.95 INCLUDING shipping and handling.  Great and enthusiastic sales presence, from a confident, and, by all appearances, knowledgeable source!  Visit their site for more info!

So... in a nutshell, worthwhile and very interesting visit.  More information than I can take in, and creative fuel for thought!

What is the New York Fabric and Trim Show (aka the DG Expo), and... why do I care???

Note: If you regularly attend the FIT Design Source show that happens in January each year, it has been postponed this year, and a new date may be posted for the spring of this year.  So that is not a choice... but many of the same vendors come to the DG Expo/NY Fabric and Trim Show (described below).

Reposting again (yes, the 2nd again!), since the date approacheth  is nigh! -

CURRENT NY Fabric and Trim Show/DG EXPO is happening NOW

*Originally posted 12/10/12

Folks, I must tell you that I am so jazzed about this event after having a phone conversation about it this morning, I just HAVE to give you all the deets on the DG Expo (so named because it is based on the resources with low minimums featured in their designer's guide) NOW.

You may have heard of the DG Expo (and if you haven't, don't worry).  The official blurb is below:

"The DG Expo features a two day Textile & Trimmings exhibit for Designers, Small Manufacturers (producing Apparel, Accessories, Homefurnishings, other Sewn Products), plus Private Label Retailers, Fabric Stores, Event/Party Planners. Exhibitors are Wholesale Suppliers (including Mills, Converters, Importers, and Distributors) who have low minimums, and many have in-stock fabric and trims." 

This Manhattan event will take place on February 5 and 6, 2013  right now, and despite its wonderfully ambitious goal of linking up small designers with the information, suppliers and services they need, I have not seen/understood much advertising for the event, nor have I explored a clear explanation of what it is, or why it is even important.  Maybe I haven't been paying attention?  Well, it seems I've been asleep on this one.  I'd like to spare you the same fate. So here goes....

To make sure the information I share with you is accurate, this morning I picked up the phone, and called the contact telephone number for the event, where my call was warmly and enthusiastically received by Susan Power, who really filled me in on what makes this event so worthwhile, important, and valuable. Having grown from one ballroom last year to two this year, the DG Expo is growing and maturing into an industry treasure for the small designer.

So, why would you go?

The DG Expo is not a retail fabric buying opportunity.  It is for businesses.  This is the one-stop-shop relationship-building and wholesale pricing information station you need to cost/produce your items accurately and efficiently, which leads to selling them profitably. Admission to the event itself is free, but there are fees for individual seminars.

*Note - seminars and networking have already happened for this one.  Today is a shopping day, primarily.  On the Monday of the event, there are no exhibits.  If you have lots of questions, Monday will be the most valuable day for you to attend, since it is a heavy networking and seminar day.  (So plan for next time) It is the day to get familiar, get comfortable, attend seminars, and get all of your questions answered.  The seminars are wonderfully priced, considering how elusive so much of this information can be!

And what are low minimums?  Well, that could be a minimum quantity of something, like a roll of fabric or an amount of yardage, or a minimum dollar amount you would need to buy to benefit from wholesale buying status. And I'm talking wonderfully low minimums for some of them, like amounts I've spent on yardage for my own private clients.

If you want to attend, there are things you can do now to get ready.  First, do your research.  If you aren't clear on it yet, figure out what you need, how much you will need, and what you want to do. Learn to correctly name the services, fabrics and supplies you need. Bring business cards with you, and be ready to exchange them!  This will also help to keep you from feeling intimidated by the much  more experienced and well-known manufacturers who regularly attend the event.  Watching them interact, however, can be a great learning experience for you, as you grow!

But... Let's say you aren't a small manufacturer quite yet, or you are still studying, planning, thinking and dreaming... not sure what you need yet?  Here's what you need to do.  Come early and/or stay late to get the best quality interaction with others.  Attend the seminars on Monday.  Keep in mind that everyone at the event is there wanting to do business, so be ready to engage and participate in a mutually time-efficient and business-oriented way. Beyond that, the DG Expo site is still a wealth of information, links and resources, in ADDITION to the event.

Who will you meet there?

Susan Power is the leader who brings her industry experience, resources, and expertise to the event, along with other presenters and exhibitors.

Follow this link to a list of the suppliers. Look at that list for the names of some of the businesses I've featured on the blog!

Location: 

Hotel Pennsylvania

Penntop Ballroom + Skytop Ballroom, Penthouse

18th Floor, 401 Seventh Avenue 

(between 32nd & 33rd Street) 

New York City

Whether you attend or not, you can also purchase the Designer's Guide or the Sourcer's Guide to help you find your way through all of the info we know the garment district is so skilled at keeping to itself!

"Well... I know a guy..."

Beware garment industry sourcing sorcery trickery.  (Whoops! My apologies, since I thought "sorcery" was my own original clever wordsmithing, but it is actually close to the name of a garment industry sourcing business. Sorry, this comment is not about that business!) So many people offer "sourcing" as a skill, when what they mean is "Oh you need fabric?  I know a guy..."

That isn't the same thing.

A "hookup" is something a friend or acquaintance can do for you, while a fabric sourcer listens to what YOUR particular needs are.  Make sure you know the difference.

If you are looking for fabric or supplies at the small business or retail level, you may simply choose to buy a "Speakeasy Map",  an ever-evolving map of businesses and services in the garment district, serving both retail and small business customers. As I learn and discover more sources in the district, I will continue to share that information with you!  Once you have the link, you can watch it evolve and change, as information is added, taken away, updated, and amended!

This week, I attended the DG Expo at the Hotel Pennsylvania, and it was great to see some familiar faces, previously blogged about here: Buttonology, Elliott Berman, Schmalberg and New York Embroidery Studio. 

A few other interesting new finds I cannot detail here, because I sincerely hope some deal-making was done with vendors in the district who may offer goods here in NYC that you could otherwise only obtain wholesale elsewhere... Fingers crossed that those deals are successfully made!

Oddly enough, many others I've seen at this event before were absent this week, and seemed not to even be aware of the event this time around. The floor was extremely quiet when we (my friend/frequent tour partner Cindy was with me), but the benefit and beauty of that was that we were able to talk freely with vendors and see products without waiting. Sadly, though, many of the businesses did not represent the New York Garment District, hailing from other states and/or countries. I also noticed the absense of functioning or up to date websites for many of the companies who attended.  This is a very old-fashioned industry, I know, but a healthy web presence is vital these days, don'tcha think?

I was particularly excited to learn about MCM Enterprise, where I learned about the sublimation dyeing technique, and TrimLab LLC, where I was intrigued by the interesting way they run their business.  Those two businesses may be explored in future posts!

Overall, it seems that most interest was directed toward Trendstop, a trend forecasting company, and the business seminars.  This seemed to be where the youngest  people at the event were congregating.  Overall, it was fun for me  (as always!) and fueled me with a million creative ideas!

The next New York City DG Expo event will be held in January 2015.

After the DG Expo...

Frankly, the biggest surprise that came out of my trip to the DG Expo this week, was how affordable so many of the wonderful things I discovered are!  And the low minimums are surprisingly manageable!  And the prices were generally awesome! My big revelation, after meeting, greeting, and viewing all of these fabulous fabrics and notions, was simply this: There is more fascinating stuff out there than you can possibly imagine.  There were many vendors located elsewhere in the country, but many of them also have representatives right here in Manhattan.  Some were in Manhattan, and some have taken a recent jump over to Jersey, but are still very quickly commutable.  True to the title of this blog, I will direct you to the garment district companies on this blog, while my dressmaking Facebook page will feature some of the others.

I'll be gentle with you, featuring one business at a time, mentioning the ones who made the biggest impression on me, and had the most interesting offerings. I am particularly excited about sharing with you, the stuff I didn't think I could find at the retail or low minimum level.  I am extremely jazzed about that!

And while I'm rambling...

Oh, and have any of you seen the shoe exhibit yet - well, today is your first opportunity, I guess! Apparently between 12-3 only!  If you see it today, you are a rock star, to be sure, and tell me, tell me all about it!  I'm in blizzard mode, and can't/won't go anywhere today!

And folks, if I can just give a bratty "Told ya so" for a moment, there is a good reason why I scheduled no Speakeasy tours for February.  See what a Fashion Week rescheduling mess this blizzard is causing?  Hmph... think I'll make a cup of tea now.

NYC Fabric store review: Elliott Berman... Outrageously great store.

Over the past few years, before I took over this blog, Elliott Berman Textiles had been mentioned a few times, in a few different posts.

Yeah, just a few times...

Post 1
Post 2
Post 3

And, for some reason, I felt as if I had been there before, and maybe didn't think too much about it, since I'm not particularly swayed by designer names, or "exclusivity" for exclusivity's sake?  Heard the name before, I'm sure... didn't place it too high on my priority list.  Colleagues with decades' worth of experience had heard of them too.  But had they ever been?  "I think maybe once...wait, I'm not sure... I know the name.  What street is that place?" No particularly ringing endorsements. No gasps or sighs, nothing. Whatever. But, I'm here to tell you... Whoa.  Now that I've reported back to them just what I've found... they have ALL put this place on their priority lists.

Inspired to go after talking to the lovely Australian who sang their praises at length, this place started to intrigue me, and, to top it off,  an extremely warm written welcome from Eugenia made it a must-see.

So I went.

And man, oh man... where do I even start with this place?

For starters, it is upstairs.  In an office building.  On 35th Street.  You won't pass this place by accident.

I started my research by visiting their website, and I fell in love with this fabric. Wanting it desperately, I knew I wanted to just visit and touch it, before making a final decision.  I gave myself a little mumbly-pep talk in the elevator on my way up, promising myself not to shop, just explore and think a bit, since my unstarted projects pile is getting to be a bit ridiculous. So, I stepped off the elevator, and headed down the hall a bit to the showroom.

And when you do go, (and I'm thinking you will...) you will find a showroom set up for wholesale, not retail, which can be intimidating.  But the key here, is... Eugenia.  Lovely, engaging Eugenia is welcoming, engaging, and gives you all the information you need to just dive in to the beautiful selection this store has to offer. 

First off, the organization of the fabrics is set up in a wholesale-friendly way.  Fabrics are grouped by fiber content and by width, since production is concerned specifically with the width of the goods, and in the garment biz, their patterns are already made, and cutting layouts planned.  You won't see any color story, other than "current", since it isn't set up for the retail customer. Sourced from mills in Italy, Switzerland and France, primarily, the fabrics are just TO DIE.  I mean that.  I challenge anyone to visit and tell me differently. Seriously.  I'd bet you money...

They also have a great website, listed as a favorite by some of you who responded to the survey!

So, why here, instead of the gazillion other fabric stores?  Quality.  Oh, and BEAUTY.  Crazy, like heart-palpitation style beauty.

Eugenia holding a fabulous silk header card.

Now, on their website, they share that many of these fabrics are remaining goods from design houses like Chanel, Milly, Dior, Missoni, etc.  This isn't the stuff someone found laying in a corner of those design houses.  Nope. Not the rejects, either... The ACTUAL fabric the designers used.  Just touch it.  It speaks to you. And wait... the goods they are selling that come from these design houses isn't from past collections... not from past collections... from the NEXT collection, and some from custom projects done for private clients, and no one else.  Yes.  That current, and that exclusive.  Many of the fabrics were custom done for the design houses, and some are "signature prints" (meaning the designer's logo or print is repeated in the print of the fabric itself) and lots more beyond those.  

Oh, and the knits!  The resilience!  The hand! The artistic value of the prints and colors!  So gorgeous!

What would scare me at this point, if I were you, is talking about price.  Believe it or not, this place has prices you can do, with some fabrics near $20 or so a yard, and on up, depending on how fancy you wanna get.  Most things I loved were somewhere in the $30-40 range retail.

So what happened?  Did I buy the fabric?  Well... *Clears throat and mumbles*  Ummm.... I have to go back, with a bit more money... to get that fabric, and a couple other things...

So go.  And tell them I sent you.  And, if you order online, they are ready, willing, and able to serve the international customer!

Elliott Berman Textiles

225 West 35th Street, 7th Floor    

New York, NY 10001 

Tel: (212) 764-0180

Fax: (212) 764-0241

Toll Free: 1-800-609-6072

info@elliottbermantextiles.com

And, for you designers and fanatics out there attending the DG Expo, be sure to visit their station, and tell them hello!

What, you haven't heard of the DG Expo?  Stay tuned for the next post!