LAS VEGAS — The International Lingerie Show wrapped after three days at its new home at the Westgate Hotel, where boutique lingerie and a few kinky accessories makers shined.
This week’s ILS was the first since ending its nearly 20-year run last January. The show's exhibition hall primarily showcased lingerie, loungewear, clubwear and fashion accessories for women and men. Participating brands included a mix of past ILS exhibitors and companies trying it out for the first time.
Jeff Baker, president of Magic Silk and Male Power, said ILS is “the show of the future.”
“What the industry needs is an event that’s organized by someone that’s independent of the industry,” he said. “The industry deserves to have two shows per year — it’s what we want.”
Roland Timney, ILS’ director, told XBIZ that he agrees that there is a demand for a fall edition of the trade show and will thus return in September.
“We are scheduled to host two shows a year,” Timney said. “Buying in March isn’t enough for retailers to fill their shelves all year.”
According to Timney, the fall edition would see more ILS attractions added, including the return of its fashion show and a meet-and-greet cocktail hour.
“Our first show at the West Gate went well,”Timney said. “All the vendors are happy with the new venue. There are great restaurants, shopping and entertainment here.”
With many of the same faces, ILS had a familiar vibe while its appearance was given a more glamorous makeover. The Westgate’s brightly lit showroom with glistening crystal chandeliered ceiling provided a welcoming backdrop for attendees.
“It’s a beautiful room,” Baker said. “I’m really happy with the show and so are our customers.”
Magic Silk offers a selection of trendy lingerie styles. The company releases 12 or more collections each year to offer the most comprehensive selection. Magic Silk’s male counterpart Male Power offers a wide range of bold styles of specialty underwear.
Just to Flirt, Inc. is a first-time ILS exhibitor. The Dallas-based exotic dancewear manufacturer offers styles in a variety of colors, fabrics and prints. Just to Flirt, Inc.’s Jazmin Brito told XBIZ that the company prides itself on offering customization.
Among Just to Flirt’s design options are accents such as prints, sequins and lace.
“We offer a variety of combos and a lot of flexibility with our styles to be competitive,” Brito said. “We have a lot of in-house designers that make sure that we constantly have new catalogs and are able to stock store shelves. We’re a manufacturing company, we have to stay relevant.”
Brito added that the company is widely popular in local markets in the southwest of the U.S. and plans to expand beyond that.
Popular men’s underwear brand Andrew Christian showcased its line of custom women and men’s underwear styles that are available in street, sport, fashion and basic-themed lines.
Andrew Christian’s Christopher Yoo told XBIZ that the company introduces new styles every month.
“What’s currently trending right now are mesh prints,” he said. “We’re also seeing a growing interest in styles that are more provocative and direct, such as C-rings and harnesses.”
Andrew Christian employs specialized dye treatments, printed graphics and innovative materials such as bamboo fiber, sports mesh and patented, moisture-wicking cotton blends.
Terilyn Bridal focused on intimacy to sell the contents of her ILS booth. In addition to offering a selection of hand-made lingerie made of luxurious fabrics, including silk, the company’s owner Teri Ketchens also showcased decadent artisan chocolate made by Chocolates by Erin — owned by friend and colleague Erin Rohr. In addition of offering unique flavors, Chocolates by Erin’s creations also include detailed, ornate boxes made of chocolate.
“I want to promote date night,”Ketchens said. “I make lingerie, masks, bedding — anything that promotes seduction between couples.”
Ketchens, who’s been designing for about 40 years, said she’s exhibited at ILS for the last three years and takes pride in offering U.S.-made products.
Glamory Hosiery is another returning ILS exhibitor. Produced in Germany, Glamory also has designers in Italy and Portugal that specialize in catering to the big and tall demographic, which also allows its styles to be marketed as unisex
According to Glamory Hosiery’s Delilah Carr, the company’s main objective is to be gender-neutral and cater to as many bodies as possible. Glamory unveiled a new collection of lingerie designed to cater to the body shapes of little people.
“Every individual deserves to feel good,” Carr said.
Florida-based corset designer Eurotique showcased an expansive selection of corset styles that are designed to fit a variety of different body types.
Eurotique President Chrissy Grieco told XBIZ that the company recently debuted a new collection of affordable corset styles available for $35 wholesale, which do not sacrifice fit for cost and are available in different waist and bust sizes.
A new rainbow-colored corset was added to Eurotique’s collection. According to Grieco, the corset became the most popular following the Pulse shooting, as more consumers became interested in representing their pride.
Another trending style for Eurotique is corsets with pockets that are designed to conceal weapons — or can be used to conceal any belongings. The company also introduced two new styles of waist trainers, among a wider selection of dresses, corsets, bustiers, clubwear and leather goods.
Among the only brands showcasing items that are less on the soft side of pleasure was Touch of Fur. The company showcased its dyed fox tails, custom handmade leather floggers and other BDSM gear, as well as jeweled plugs.
