ANDMORE’s Formal Markets (previously known as International Market Centers’ VOW Bridal & Formal and World of Prom & Social Occasion) are set to take the stage again in both Atlanta and Las Vegas this August, with both in larger exhibit floor footprints than ever before. Formal Markets, offering renowned exhibitors, education and market experiences, runs in Atlanta July 31 – August 4, and in Las Vegas, August 14 – 16.
“ANDMORE’s Formal Markets continue to grow to serve industry demand from coast to coast,” said Caron Stover, ANDMORE senior vice president, Apparel Leasing. “With more resources for formal categories than ever before, both Atlanta and Las Vegas are must-see destinations for sourcing this August.”
Atlanta Edition of Formal Markets presents Largest Formal Collection in the Country
This August, Formal Markets in Atlanta will present the nation’s largest showcase of formalwear with 180+ individual collections in both permanent showrooms and temporary exhibits across three social occasion floors at AmericasMart Atlanta Building 3. Highlights for this August include new and expanded showrooms and new temporary exhibits alongside hallmark Formal Markets amenities and educational experiences.
Adding to the market’s 120+ showroom collections in Atlanta this August are four debuts: Madi Lane & enVogue Bridal Accessories (bridal dresses and accessories); Juliet Dress (formal dresses); PolyUSA (bridal and formal dresses) and Paul Rekhi (bridal and formal dresses). Other updates include expanded showrooms for Colette by Daphne; Sherri Hill; Mambo Couture and Sharon Putnam.
Formal Markets will showcase 51 individual collections in its temporary collective this August, with 10 first-time exhibitors in Atlanta: David Tate Shoes (women’s formal shoes); Eureka (social occasion dresses) ; Gygess (social occasion dresses); Hotcontact Designs (social occasion dresses); Lagonsa (evening and bridal dresses); Larr Brio (suits, coats and tuxedos); Peanut Butter Collection (suits, coats and tuxedos); Poppy Bridal (bridal software); Saeed Malas (evening and formal dresses); Serabella (evening and formal dresses) and Vida Couture (social occasion dresses).
“Atlanta is the biggest under-one-roof formalwear destination for retailers and designers to connect and accomplish business goals,” said Stover. “With Atlanta’s continued growth across bridal and formal categories, it is the perfect one-stop-shop for all things formal. Plus, with the August edition of Atlanta Apparel running concurrently at AmericasMart, Formal Markets buyers will have 10 additional floors of apparel, accessories and point of sale products to complement their product mix.”
Hallmark events add to the market experience this August, beginning with the Signature Fashion Show, Wednesday, August 2, at 6:00 p.m. in the Fashion Theatre, followed by the Fashion Show Reception at 6:30 p.m., with branded giveaways, amenities and more. Additionally, industry buying association, Top10 Prom, will host a Market Party open to all on Thursday, August 3, from 7 to 9 p.m., in the Fashion Theatre.
At-market education will be in full swing with three presentations on two days of market. Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., buyers can take part in the Holiday Trends Presentation with Freya Drohan, fashion director at the Daily Front Row, in the Building 3 Atrium. At noon on Wednesday, industry veteran and bridal podcaster Patrice Catan will present a session on navigating shifts in the industry and increasing customer retention in the Fashion Theatre on Floor 15. Thursday at noon, bridal influencer manager, Ashley Powell, alongside exhibitor Justin Alexander, will welcome buyers to the Fashion Theatre for a presentation on influencer marketing in the bridal landscape.
In Atlanta, Formal Markets amenities will be in full swing as well, with another opportunity this August for brands to utilize the Style Studio for a professional photography setup. Buyers also will have coffee and breakfast provided upon arrival and daily networking happy hours.
The Atlanta edition of Formal Markets runs Monday, July 31, through Friday, August 4, from 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. (temporary exhibits run August 1 – 4) at AmericasMart Atlanta. For more information, visit https://www.formalmarkets.com.
Formal Markets in Las Vegas Expected to Sell Out for Second Annual Edition
ANDMORE’s second annual edition of Formal Markets in Las Vegas has expanded to showcase some 90+ individual collections in more than 90,000 sq ft of wall-to-wall bridal and formal exhibits, August 14 – 16, at the Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas. Beyond exhibits, the three-day event will include a full schedule of educational sessions, amenities and fashion trend experiences.
“ANDMORE is pushing the boundaries this August with the second-ever showcase of Formal Markets out west,” said Stover. “Las Vegas is a growing destination for bridal, quinceañera and formalwear, and Formal Markets is ready to answer demand, as it is pacing to sell out this August.”
The Las Vegas edition of Formal Markets includes some cross-over exhibitors from the Atlanta edition, as well as its own catalogue of new and notable brands offered only at the Las Vegas buying event, including Rosa Clara, making its U.S. wholesale market debut at Formal Markets in Las Vegas. Other brands exhibiting exclusively in Formal Markets in Las Vegas are: ARIA Fashion Group (bridal dresses); ARIAMO (bridal and formal dresses); Bel Aire Bridal (bridal dresses); Betsey Johnson Bridal (bridal dresses); Calla Blanche (bridal dresses); CARFELLI (bridal dresses); Chic Nostalgia (bridal dresses); Demetrios (bridal dresses); Eleganci (formalwear); Elegant World (formalwear); Elly Haute Couture (bridal dresses); Erica Koesler (wedding accessories); Honor Bride (bridal and formal dresses); Inezia Chrizita (formal dresses); Iveary Bridal (bridal dresses); JL Johnson Bridal Veils (bridal accessories); Kailee P. Shoes (formal shoes); Kenneth Winston (bridal dresses); KittyChen Couture (bridal dresses); Lily Rivera (formalwear); MADIONI (bridal dresses); Modeca (bridal dresses); Oliver Martino (bridal dresses); Pollardi (bridal dresses); Randy Fenoli (bridal dresses); Savannah Miller (bridal dresses); SCOUT (bridal dresses) and Stately Soiree (bridal dresses).
Formal Markets events in Las Vegas start on Sunday, August 13, with pre-market education featuring Mon Cheri Academy, presented by Steve Lang, from noon to 6 p.m. On Monday, August 14, opening day of market, at 5 p.m., buyers can enjoy the Formal Markets Kickoff Party and a Live Model Presentation featuring 64 looks, custom cocktails and branded giveaways in the Café Area. On Tuesday, attendees can take part in the Rosé Soiree with live music and sweets at 5 p.m. in the Café Area.
Also new this August, Formal Markets attendees can register for educational sessions while on-site for more personalized learning experiences. Daily offerings are: Ashley Powell, bridal influencer manager discussing tips and tricks for influencer marketing, Monday, August 14; M&K Studio presenting best merchandising practices for boutiques, Tuesday, August 15; and Top10 Prom noting best business practices for the social occasion industry, Wednesday, August 16.
Buyers can draw inspiration from a mannequin garden display showing top trends across all formalwear categories and enjoy amenities and refreshments and photo-ops daily in the Las Vegas Bach Lounge. Formal Markets also will present its Delola by Jennifer Lopez Lounge featuring a “Spring in Europe” installation with custom cocktails daily and embossed luggage tags on the Monday of market. Buyers also will enjoy complimentary champagne carts upon arrival, hosted breakfast and coffee in the mornings, and free lunches during all three days of the market.
Formal Markets in Las Vegas runs Monday, August 14, and Tuesday, August 15, from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Wednesday, August 16, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., at The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas. For more information, visit https://www.formalmarkets.com
ANDMORE’s Formal Markets presents its collection of bridal, prom, quinceañera, mother-of-the-bride, accessories, homecoming and special occasion lines three times annually: March and August in Atlanta and August in Las Vegas.