Factory Direct trade show focuses on local sourcing for fashion

Los Angeles - The New Mart has put on various trade shows throughout the months including Designers & Agents, Melange, and more. The downtown's building most recent trade show was Factory Direct, a curated sourcing trade show, which took place from September 28 to 30.

The trade show’s purpose is to focus on providing a platform for product development professionals, production companies, and designers to improve and draw out their line. The show’s placement in the fashion district of Los Angeles makes the trade show valuable for its exhibitors. “It’s a great local show--there’s a lot of traffic here,” said Chris Walia, director of business development and marketing for Aims 360.

The show brings in Los Angeles locals, but also other vendors that can work together. Exhibiting for a second time at the trade show, Aims 360 serves as a software company for the fashion industry that deals with the backend of management, order-taking, shipping, and more. In participating in the event, Walia states that both new and existing customers that make up the show’s traffic. “At the same time a lot of the exhibitors that are here are also potential customers, so it’s a great network environment for all of us,” said Walia. The resources that are available throughout the show are potential options for companies to help build and grow out their brands around the nation.

Ultimately, the show focused on how sourcing internationally and in the U.S. can be a prominent topic of discussion for the fashion industry. David Dea, owner of Factory Direct, created the show as the first-of-its-kind “curated” sourcing trade show. Dea has started the trade show nineteen years ago. Dea’s background includes an education at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. From sourcing to allocating to manufacturing, Dea felt each business has their own individual role in retailing and fashion. The event allowed for vendors, suppliers, and exhibitors to test new products, start new divisions, and locate resources for their day to day businesses. Participants for the event included factories, creative agencies, third-party logistics providers, and technological resources.