August a busy month for Prom markets

With Prom market now confirmed in Chicago, the August calendar is even more crowded. Confirmed dates for August Prom and Special Occasion Markets:

9-12 The National Prom Market, Chicago, Merchandise Mart,
Chicago, IL; 800-677-6278; merchandisemart.com.

11-13 Dallas Pre Market Prom Party, Dallas World Trade Center, 
Dallas, TX. 800-DAL-MKTS; dallasmarketcenter.com.

14-17 Dallas Prom and Special Occasion Market, Dallas World
Trade Center, Dallas, TX. 800-DAL-MKTS; dallasmarketcenter.com.

16-19 Atlanta's AmericasMart Prom, Pageant, FirstLook Bridal, Women's & Children's 
Apparel/Accessories Market, AmericasMart, Atlanta, GA.
800-ATLMART; americasmart.com.

Spring Markets honor industry's stars

Spring bridal markets are of course about style and design, as every designer and manufacturer strives to showcase their best efforts. This season's only difference was in the increased number of resources and designers looking to capture your attention.

In the midst of all this excitement and action spread out in five cities is one aspect I particularly enjoy: the awards programs recognizing style, dedication and achievement by designers and retailers.

So for those not present at these events, "the envelope, please."

2007 DEBI Awards, as presented by the National Bridal Market, and The Merchandise Mart Properties, Chicago, for designer/manufacturer of the year, and retailer of the year:
Bridal-Better/Designer: Paloma Blanca; Bridal-Moderate: Maggie Sottero; Bridesmaids: Bill Levkoff; Headpieces: Bel Aire Bridal; Accessory: Touch Ups by Benjamin Walk; Flower Girl: Sweet Beginnings by Jordan; Special Occasion: Montage by Mon Cheri; Prom: Mori Lee; Quinceanera Gowns: P.C. Mary’s; Style Innovator: Pronovias.
Retailer of the Year: Bobbie Crabtree, Bridal Warehouse, KY.

2007 ROSE awards, presented by the Dallas Market Center in partnership with the Bridal and Formal Association of Dallas (BFAD), for designer/manufacturer of the year, and retailer of the year:
Bridal: Allure Bridal; Bridesmaid: Jordan Fashions; Prom: Flirt by Maggie Sottero; Quinceañera: Mori Lee; Accessories: Touch Ups by Benjamin Walk.
Retailer of Style and Excellence Award: Lillie Stokley, owner of Azarue’s Bridal Fashions, Bossier City, LA,

2007 Desert Rose awards, presented by Las Vegas the Market and the North American Bridal Association, for designer/manufacturer of the year, and special achievement:
Bridal Gowns $500 and under: Allure Bridal; Bridal Gowns $501 and Up: Maggie Sottero; Bridesmaids: Jasmine Bridal; Prom: Mori Lee; Flower Girl: Jordan Fashions; Special Occasion: Mon Cheri; Shoes: Touch Ups by Benjamin Walk; Headpieces: Bel Aire; Design: Allure Bridal; Customer Service: Alfred Angelo; Multi Media: Forever Yours.
The Katelyn Jo Humanitarian Award, in recognition of special achievement in the bridal industry was awarded to Jim Duhe, associate publisher and vice president of Bridal Guide magazine.

Bridal Manufacturers Association elects board

The International Bridal Manufacturers Association (IBMA) board of directors met at the recent Chicago National Bridal Market in October, announcing new board members and outlining goals and future direction.

Chaired by past president David Lesser, Forever Yours, the association board held a lively discussion with current members regarding industry issues, and announced the election of the following individuals to the board: Eric Greco, Jordan Fashions, as president; Wayne Webster, Maggie Sottero vice president; David Lesser, Forever Yours Int., treasurer; Steven Siegel, Edward Berger, secretary; Abraham Maslavi, Jovani Fashions; Steve Lang, Mon Cheri; Jean Paul, Alyce Designs; Kyle Yin, Jasmine Bridals; James Elias, Demetrios; Ty Yeh, Private Label by G, Alan Dessy, Dessy Design Group, and Paula Varsalona, Paula Varsalona Ltd. Additionally, Peter Grimes, VOWS magazine, was selected as an independent director/communication manager for the association and board.

"The IBMA is now poised to actively work for the benefit of its members, and ultimately the health of the industry," explained Eric Greco. "This board is dedicated to working together as a true association, willing to tackle thorny, long-term issues that affect every segment of our industry, and then communicating its actions and plans to build momentum for positive change."

Though recently elected, the IBMA board has already had an impact. Discussions are currently underway with bridal media companies to create higher visibility for the independent bridal store, and special advertising packages and services for IBMA members.
"Each media group we've approached, whether Conde Nast, Bridal Guide or For the Bride, has responded with proposals that positively impact a majority of IBMA members, and that offer advertorial pages to help spread the message of the importance of the full service independent bridal store," added Greco.

Next up for the association: evaluating markets, and creating programs to increase attendance.
Currently the IBMA comprises over 130 manufacturers. The association is also nearing completion of an IBMA web site and reformatted newsletter.For membership information, contact Steven Siegel, Edward Berger, 212-594-0400, fax: 212-268-0780.

Henry Roth and Michelle Roth ceasing operations

In an announcement to its stores last week, and in a subsequent interview, Henry Roth confirmed that both Henry Roth Bridal and Michelle Roth Bridal collections will cease operations, with the closing of the bridal design firm wrapped up by late summer of this year.

According to Roth, all orders placed by May 1 will be processed, and all specials will be delivered.

"We did not make this decision lightly, "said Henry, "and felt that it was in the best interest of the brand to take stock of where the company was going and growing. With the changes happening in the industry, it's apparent that you're either a small firm or a large conglomerate. Since we never go back, scaling down was not an option. And moving
forward meant an expansion of our business primarily in the way we relate to our retailers, which would be very detrimental to our brand."

Citing significant opportunities to expand the Roth brand into the entertainment, media and public relations arenas. Henry also indicated that opportunities may be presented within the bridal industry, but denied rumors of selling direct or designing for chain operations.

"Any opportunities that may come about in the future in bridal must benefit the brand, reflect our way of conducting business, as well as support our personal integrity."

Both Henry and Michelle Roth, as well as key employees, are available to answer any questions at 212 245 3390, and will be accessible to insure that the winding down of operations is handled in the best possible manner.

In addition, Henry can be reached at 917 447 4777.

The new Fall line will not be sold/shipped.

Federated sells David's Bridal Group

Federated Department Stores Inc. said Friday it will sell its Bridal Group division in two separate transactions for a total of $850 million, as reported by The Associated Press today.
An affiliate of Los Angeles-based Leonard Green & Partners is paying about $750 million for the 269-store David's Bridal and 10-store Priscilla of Boston businesses, Federated said.Separately, Houston-based Men's Wearhouse is paying about $100 million for the 511-store After Hours Formalwear business, which includes Mr. Tux stores in New England.
Both transactions are expected to close in the first quarter of next year, pending regulatory approvals, Federated said.

Designers, manufacturers honored

Spring '07 Markets showcased products, lines and events, including industry awards. Among them: The DIVA award as presented by AmericasMart in Atlanta; the ROSE award presented by the Dallas Market Center and the Dallas Bridal and Formal Association; the Desert Rose award by Las Vegas the Market, and the DEBI, as presented by the National Bridal Market in Chicago.
The 2006 DIVA recipients:
Allure Bridal was honored in the bridal category; Jovani in the Prom category, Sherri Hill in the Pageant category, and Alyce Designs in the Quinceanera, and Coloriffics by Speen & Co in the Shoe/Accessory category,with Michelle Harrison & Associates honored as Outstanding Diva.
Additionally, Catan's Bridal was honored as the Bridal Retailer of the Year.
The 2006 ROSE award recipients:
Touch Ups by Benjamin Walk in the Accessories category; Tiffany Designs in Prom; Maggie Sottero in Bridal; Jordan Fashions in Bridesmaids, and Mori Lee for Quinceañera. Retailers recognized as a store of style and excellence: Sallie Morris of Mor Le’ in Wolfforth, Texas in the bridal category; Michael Jamaleddine of Alyssa’s Bridal in Tulsa, Oklahoma for prom; and Elodia Adamson of Bridal Novias in El Paso, Texas for Quinceañera.
The 2006 Desert Rose recipients:
Bridal gowns $300 and under: Mary's; Moderate Price bridal gowns: Maggie Sottero; Bridal gowns $600 and up: Maggie Sottero; Headpieces: Bel Aire; Flower girl: Jordan; Special Occasion: Montage by Mon Cheri; Bridesmaid: Jordan; Prom: Tiffany; Shoes: Touch Ups by Benjamin Walk; Rising Star: Allure. Additional Desert Rose awards were presented to Alfred Angelo for Customer Service, and Mary's for Outstanding Catalog.
The RAM award for outstanding bridal rep was presented to Janet Fuldner, and the Katelyn Jo award honoring an individual's special achievement and industry service was presented to Madeline Gardner of Mori Lee.
The 2006 DEBI recipients:
For Bridal - Better/Designer, Paloma Blanca; Bridal - Moderate, Allure Bridal; Bridesmaids, Bill Levkoff; Headpieces, Bel Aire Bridal; Accessory, Salon Shoes; Flower Girls, Sweet Beginnings by Jordan; Special Occasion, Montage by Mon Cheri; Prom, Mori Lee; Distinctive Newcomer, Justin Alexander; Couture, Monique Lhuillier.
A special Retailer of the Year award was presented to The Wedding Shoppe, Inc., St.Paul, MN.

Bride alert: popular website closes, stranding brides without their gowns

Bridesave.com, one of the earliest and reportedly largest internet seller of bridal apparel and accessories, has ceased operations, stranding an undisclosed number of brides without their gowns and with little hope of recouping their money.
Calls to bridesave.com (432) 522-2727 have not been answered, and no response to emails sent to Bridesave.com CEO Frank Hunold (frank@bridesave.com).
Reportedly, Bridesave.com sent emails to its brides and customers late Friday announcing the closure and directing them to the manufacturer/designer of their dresses.
Unfortunately, manufacturers/designers we spoke with have no record of the dresses and products ordered (and paid for) through Bridesave.com, but are trying to work with bridal stores to help those brides who prepaid bridesave.com.
If you are in this situation, please add your comments.