There is nothing that brings more curiosity from you guys when get a chance to talk to you one on one, either via email or in person, than my trips to Vegas to see the the brands new collections. It’s always a big topic of conversation and I’m more than happy to talk about it.
First all, I have fallen in love with Vegas after going for 4 years. The food, the city and everything about it. I have some favorite spots I go to every time and I always try to find new spots. Some of the spots I love are: Cafe Gelato at the Bellagio, Gordon Ramsey Burgr at Planet Hollywood, Mermaids Casino in old vegas for Deep Fried Twinkies, Yes I said it, it’s not conducive to wearing great undies but sure is good! If you go to Vegas and want some recommendations hit me up!
But enough about the food and such. Let’s talk about what happens when I go to Vegas:
Pre Planning –
Both magic and Curve have lists of what brands are showcasing. So I usually go through and create a spreadsheet of who I need to see. Which did me great until the show last year when I lost my program of Magic that had my list in it. I frantically looked for it but to no avail. Going forward I have put it on my computer/ipad/phone and printed out extra copies. This gives me a great idea of how many people I need to see. However, there are always new brands to see. I will find out a company that was supposed to show isn’t or will hear from others about new brands is showing. Also, not every brand is listed in the online guide and some are listed under parent companies and not the names.
Day 1: Curve/Magic
The first day I usually split my time between Curve in the morning and Magic in the afternoon. I trek up to the Venetian to Curve and get my credentials. When I first started going Curve had about 15 men’s brands. Over the years it has slowed down and its anywhere from 3-5 brands now. So I usually go from about 9 am till about 12-1 PM. I get in and sit down with the brands and go over whats new with each brand. On the way back down to the Mandalay Bay I grab lunch. Lunch is usually Secrets Pizza at the Cosmopolitan which is preceded by Gelato at Cafe Gelato in the Bellagio. Then head over to the Mandalay bay convention center get my credentials and have 1-2 meetings in the afternoon. The first day is usually so busy I don’t get many people in.
When I sit down with brands I get to see the new collections. I get walked through whats new, whats hot and look through the catalogue. I get to ask questions and find out more about the line. Its easier to do it right there. Sometimes they have a model to show me the line other times it’s just being shown through the racks and racks of amazing undies. These meetings last from 20 mins to an hour. I usually have over 30 brands to meet up with.
In February we usually have a Meet and Greet with the brand hosted by UNB. it’s a grew time for brands and retailers to come hang out in a social environment. This has led to me getting to know some of the people win the industry and become good friends with them. I look forward to this but due to the brands schedules not everyone can make it. This is because they have dinners they must go to. My favorite Meet and Greet went till 3 AM! Ask me about that one.
Typical Day is:
- 8:30 – leave the hotel for Venetian
- 9:00 – Arrive at Venetian and get credentials
- 9:15 – 12:00 – Meet with Brands
- 12:00 – 12:45 sit down and grab lunch
- 1:00 – Go to Cafe Gelato (I gotta take a break)
- 2:00 – leave for Mandalay bay
- 2:30 – arrive at Mandalay bay and walk to the convention center
- 2:45 – get credentials
- 3:00 – walk around and say howdy to people
- 4:00 – 6:00 pm – meet with brands
- 7:30 – UNB Meet and Greet till when ever
Day 2: Magic
Day two is kind of a hybrid for me. I am at Magic all day but don’t spend all day there. There are always brands that are in Vegas but not at Magic. They get suites in the Mandalay Bay and I go up to the suite to meet them and see the lines. Most of these have models and many of the videos we have done were done in suits. Which I’m still trying to figure out lighting in suites. So it’s a lot of walking back and forth. The walk way from the hotel to the convention center is crazy long. This year I’m getting a pedometer to see how much I walk. This time at Magic it’s on one level. Which for me is a good thing it cuts my walking down. I’m not as tired. In most Aug shows its both levels of the Mandalay Bay convention center and by the ned of the day I”m done! I try to meet with as many brands as I can in that time frame. Its usually meet with 10-14 brands.
Schecule
- 8:45 – Leave hotel for Convention center
- 9:00 – meet with brands (usually anywhere from 2 brands)
- 10:30 – meet with brand in suite
- 11:30 – back to the Convention center to meet with brands
- 12:30 – take lunch double check schedule
- 1:00-6 Pm – meet with brands (usually 5-10
Day 3: Magic
This day is a lot more laid back. The dress of everyone is casual. The first day is dress up and then the last day is jeans and t shirts. Although, I looked at myself and decided to step up my dress. So I”ll be wearing good stuff every day! Or trying too. This is the day I meet with most of the brands. It’s a lighter day for most brands and they have less scheduled so I can get in! I get the rest of the 15 brands. You maybe asking who do I see? Well they include: Frank Dandy, Timoteo, Clever, Pikante, PPU, Clever, Vuthy, Xtremen, Zylas, Gregg Homme, Junk Underjeans, Skmpeez, Papi, Andrew Christian, 2(X)ist, Baskit, C-IN2, Go Softwear, Jor, Private Structure, James Tudor, Naked Underwear, Wood Underwear, Manus Swimwear, Cocksox, Pistol Pete, and more that I can’t remember.
At the end of the day everyone breaks down to go home. It always makes me a little sad to see the end of the show. Just such
great people are in the men’s underwear market and it’s so much fun to be around them for a few days. Its one thing to talk on the phone or via emial but the face to face interaction is priceless.
- 8:45 – leave for convention Center
- 9:00-11:30 – meet with brands
- 11:30 – 12:00 Lunch
- 12:00 – 4:00 meet with brands
- 4:00- 5:00 Hang out and say good bye to brands
This is just a quick overview of what I’m doing while in Vegas this week! Watch Instagram for more. While there the cell network is nonexistent so it will be most nights or in the morning when i will post.
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