The LA Fashion Market got off to a busy start Monday, January 17, 2011 at the California Market Center (CMC) with retailers showing up from across the country. Runway shows along with FOCUS Apparel & Accessories Show, TRANSIT LA Shoe Show and the new SELECT Tradeshow were well attended and kept buyers engaged with new contemporary collections during the four-day Market.

Retailers shopping the Market included Fred Segal, Kitson, Nordstrom, Marshall Retail Group, Dillards, Zappos, Macys, Modcloth, Nasty Gal, Nicole Miller, Pacific Trading Company, Polkadots and Moonbeams, Roxy, The Denim Bar, The Fairmont Kea Lani, The Ritz Carlton Los Angeles, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Bebe, Belk Stores, Bellagio Spa & Salon, Betsy & Tracy, Bliss, Boulmiche, DNA Clothing, Diane Merrick, Ed Hardy, Harari, Harrahs, JW Marriot, KSL Resorts, Maiden Company (Tokyo), Weathervane for Men, Yago America (Tokyo), Magpie (Tokyo), Philosophy Austalia (Sydney) and many more.

SELECT Tradeshow made its Market debut with a juried selection of contemporary brands in the CMC’s Fashion Theater on January 17-20. Exhibitors included Ai for Ai, Alexia Admor, Ada Handbags, Azaara, Boutique 9, Gorjana, Joan and David, Magaschoni Apparel, Minnie Rose, Voom by Joy Han, Inge Christopher, Monserat De Lucca and many more. Retailers indulged daily in complimentary coffee and treats from Urth Cafe and organic iced teas from Honest Tea.

“This is the first Show we’ve done at the CMC, and we were surprised with the heavy amount of traffic we saw,” said SELECT Tradeshow exhibitor Ada Deferrari of Ada Handbags. “LA was lacking a Show like this, I’m excited it’s finally come together.”

Runway shows proved another successful way for showrooms to get their brands in front of well known retailers. Tuesday’s Contemporary Collections Runway Show January 18th at 5:00pm featured six contemporary brands from the CMC: Amour Vert, Blue Pearl, Darling, Lindi, Hippietiques and Eva Varro. Buyers from Zappos and Dillards were in the audience and every chair was filled, with some guests having standing room only. Wednesday’s F2 runway show featured emerging brands and FOCUS exhibitors such as Pearl Southern Couture, Christian Laurent, Carilyn Vaile, Dena Burton and shoes and accessories by Chinese Laundry.

FOCUS Apparel & Accessories Show located in the Penthouse (13th floor) proved equally popular among buyers during its Tuesday- Thursday run featuring 37 emerging contemporary lines such as Fahrenkamp Apparel, Ideal Woman Jewelry, 2026, Mariagrazia Panizzi, Levante Hosiery, Love Tatum, Hot Sox, Mystree, FAB Clothing, MeMoi, River Up, Incognito Eyewear and many more.

TRANSIT LA Shoe Show, also located in the Penthouse (13th floor), showcased 115 lines including Mtng, Caressa, ES Originals, Bernie Mev, Geox, Holster, Nine West, Erica Giuliani, Skemo, Jeffrey Campbell, L.A.M.B., DV by Dolce Vita, Report Signature, Kelsi Dagger, Jessica Simpson, Badgley Mischka and Donald J Pliner, to name a few.

“We are very happy with SELECT’s debut and the reception it received from attendees,” said Audrey Okulick, CMC Spokesperson. “Many exhibitors said this LA Fashion Market saw better foot traffic then any in 2010. We are optimistic about the development of March’s SELECT Tradeshow and plan on having double the exhibitors, similar hospitality perks, and an expanded marketing push with increased advertising, direct marketing, social media outreach, telemarketing and retail visits to recruit new attendees.”

The Fall 2011 LA Fashion Market will take place March 14-17, 2011 with showrooms open by appointment only Sunday, March 13.