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| Convention Center in Orlando |
We sped to the Expo straight from airplane and started things off with swimwear. I consider our Raleigh location to be a swimwear "mecca" of sorts, being that are really not very many places other than department stores wear you can purchase swimwear. We looked at many lines. We saw all of the newest, most trendy for styles for Spring '12, and I must say that I liked what I saw. Bright colors and rich prints were dominate. L*Space by Monica Wise was amazing as usual. Her famous fringe bandeau's are back in full force and I personally could not be more thrilled. The color pallet this season in amazing! There is even a new variation of the fringe bandeau. I won't give too much much away though. Have to keep you all guessing! I also loved Vitamin A and Carve Designs.
I found Surf Expo to be a sensory overload for me. The convention center in Orlando was so large, I felt like there was no way one person could see everything in three days. There were indoor scuba diving tanks, pools for SUP demos and even a makeshift demo area for wake boarders to show off their best jumps. Load music and girls in teeny bikinis seemed to be everywhere we turned. There were people riding on crazy contraptions resembling unicycles and zooming around on over-sized skateboards. At times I wished my head was on a swivel so I could constantly see everything.
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| Indoor SUP Demos! |
While ladies swimwear was a the major focus of the trip, we were able to peruse some ladies sportswear as well. Quiksilver, Element and Lucy Love were just a few of the favorites. Looks like Spring '12 is bringing bold prints, flowy fabrics and high-waisted everything. Ladies Quiksilver was amazing as was Element! Lots to get stoked about.
Don't even get me started with the men's side of things. We will not disappoint with our selection of men's baggies and sportswear. I took a glance at some of the men's booth's at Expo and there is much for the men to look forward to. The new innovations with board shorts are beyond impressive and I cannot wait to see what our customers think about the designs this Spring. Lots of great merchandising ideas to boot!
The Expo was a great experience that was creatively inspiring. It is a great way to swap stories with peers, get merchandising ideas and just hob nob with other people in the surf industry. If there is one thing I am positive about it is that Whalebone Urban Surf, as well as our other two locations in Nags Head and Virginia Beach, will be stocked to the brim with the best, most innovative inventory this Spring. Until then, stop by any of our stores to grab some great Fall and Winter merchandise.
For more information about the next expo visit http://www.surfexpo.com/.
