MAGIC Las Vegas bringing fashion, Billy Porter to trade show
Actor and style icon Billy Porter, who won an Emmy for his role in FX’s “Pose,” will open the fashion trade show MAGIC Las Vegas next week at the Las Vegas Convention Center, where he’s expected to discuss his avant-garde approach and role in the fashion community.
The biannual show, with its first run for 2023 going Monday through Wednesday, brings together apparel and accessories brands, retailers and retail buyers to make deals and take in the latest trends and educational workshops.
Guests in addition to Porter include streetwear designer Karl Kani, who will be presented with a lifetime achievement award; Lauryn Bosstick, founder of The Skinny Confidential; and a special musical performance by hip-hop artist Busta Rhymes.
Kelly Helfman, president of Informa Markets Fashion, said the trade show is about building connections.
“It really is for the business of fashion, and it’s such a key driver in the industry for buyers and brands and manufacturers to all connect,” Helfman said.
Helfman wouldn’t disclose how many attendees are expected at this year’s show, but said registration is looking “exciting and healthy.”
She said the number of brands has exceeded its pre-pandemic MAGIC events, and it expects to have over 2,300 exhibitors. Brands include Paris Hilton Iconic Collection, Barefoot Dreams, Adelyn Rae and Minnetonka as well as retailers such as Nordstrom, Aldo, VICI, Free People and Zappos.
The convention consists of three shows — MAGIC Las Vegas, PROJECT Las Vegas and Sourcing at MAGIC.
MAGIC will feature over 700 brands in the sportswear, women’s apparel, accessories and footwear category. PROJECT will showcase over 500 brands, featuring next season’s top trends for men’s and women’s apparel while Sourcing at MAGIC will have over 1,000 exhibitors catering to manufacturers.
Helfman said each event will have its own unique programming.
“That’s the beauty of it — it’s kind of almost like a marketplace,” she said. “There’s a ton of cross-shopping and all of our exhibitors who are fashion brands are welcome to go into sourcing and buy, right and source manufacturers and fabric and trim.”
Contact Sean Hemmersmeier at shemmersmeier@reviewjournal.com. Follow @seanhemmers34 on Twitter.
