Fashion Industry insights from fashion consultant Dimitrios Lemonas

We are at one of the fashion industry’s biggest trade shows of the year, MODA at Javits Center in NYC -speaking with to designer representative and fashion consult, Dimitrios Lemonas. Here is what he had to say:

We see you at 212 Showroom’s booth. Do you represent a designer within this showroom?

No, actually I am scouting for the showroom that could best represent a designer I am working with. 212 Showroom is a good candidate especially since I have a long history of collaborating with them. This is where I started as an intern many years ago. I think it’s a good and safe way to go for a designer to start their journey in NY’s fashion industry. The owner, Michelle Vella, has been successfully running this business for more than 30 years. I trust them.

Do the showrooms get a lot of visitation and so far, a lot of business from this trade show?

Of course they do. Buyers and retailers throughout the US are visiting for this 3-4 day show and it’s a way to keep them up to date with the designer’s newest collections and to make new connections as well as adding to their client list. It is also a way for new designers to come and see how their lines are being merchandised, promoted and sold to potential buyers and retailers.

So in a way the trade shows help both ends?

Yes, it does. There are many new designers that don’t really know how things in the marketing and business aspect side of things, all works. They can come in and watch or ask any questions they need answers to -and when they are ready, they can contact the showroom they think they fit into, to find representation.

So, it doesn’t only benefit retailers but designers looking for representation as well?

I’m afraid designers or designer representatives like myself, come second here and Trade shows are happening for retailers. It’s a large space field with booths of various designers and companies and how they make a large portion of their sales. Interested, representation designers, can observe and make their first approach but I don’t think any showroom has the time during the trade show to conduct new business with new designers.

Do you think technology will make these shows extinct in the near future?

I really don’t think so. I know that high definition pictures and video calls make some things easier but when you are talking about fabrics and textures, you must get the first-hand experience. That’s what a good buyer would do, in my opinion, anyway. It’s like shopping online vs shopping at a store. The possibilities of a return are far more when you shop online than when you buy something at an actual store. And in this case, buyers shop in bulk for their customers -a mistake in bulk could be fatal for their business. Besides these shows, as any fashion related event, is a way of interacting with other people in the business, get insights, advice, check out the competition hustle free and generally, network. In the fashion industry if you are not networking you are not doing much.