The Chicago Collective ‘23
We made it through trade show season!
Last weekend I was at the Chicago Collective. Arguably the largest and best trade show on the planet. To give you an idea of the landscape: in New York City (read my visit here) there are about 4-6 different trade shows happening at the same time. So if you’re a boutique store selling ready to wear, you may attend one or two. If you run an ECommerce business selling accessories maybe you attend some others. The one I was at was for Custom Tailors and Designers, strictly manufacturers, fabric houses and luxury brands, roughly 200-300 people attended the whole show.
The Chicago Collective is every brand imaginable under one roof. Roughly 25,000 people attend this show! Everyone on one floor. Brands like Tommy Bahama, Johnston Murphy, to mom and pop sock brands and local manufacturers. It is incredible to see.
As a solo-penure I really don’t need to attend these shows for more than one day but it is that “solo” part that drives the need to go and explore the community.
I saw and talked to many vendors I had relationships with at my past job. I got to catch up with them and see how business has been post-COVID. I saw new brands, roughly 5 years in age, and got to talk to them about how they have managed to pivot and stay alive. In just a few short days, I’m able to take the pulse of this industry. I have great news: Business is BOOMING. Do not get disenchanted by all the “retail apocalypse” headlines. They report such a skewed segment of the industry, primarily malls and large brands who are tanking. The local economy is thriving.
One mission I had: to seek out a brand: Trinidad3, they’re a denim company, Veteran owned, all of their jeans and tops are not only made in America, they are all made with textiles milled here as well! This would be a radical shift in the Bards’ repertoire, to offer ready made products. I am pretty much convinced I will bring them on. It’s just a matter of picking styles and fits.
These shows absolutely fuel my fire. After talking with my manufacturers and fabric houses, they are seeing steady increases in business, I only see a need for me to continue my grind. My high level goal in this industry is to be a part of the rise of American made clothing, and after three years I know I have made a small impact, time to push harder.
