Curve NY shines a spotlight on inclusivity

By

Robin Driver

Published
Aug 29, 2019

Over three days from August 4 through 6, more than 250 lingerie, intimates and swimwear brands, along with buyers from 25 countries and 47 US states, hit New York’s Javits Center, where Curve NY celebrated inclusivity and confidence, all while exploring the latest industry developments.

 
This August’s edition of the largest US trade show dedicated exclusively to lingerie, intimates, loungewear and swimwear was one of the best attended in the Eurovet Americas-organized event’s history.
 
Top international brands in attendance included Komar, New York-based Natori, Japan’s Wacoal, and transatlantic Italian-American intimates label Cosabella, as well as Chantelle, Eurovet’s 2019 Lingerie Designer of the Year.

Prestige labels, such as Lise Charmel, Fleur of England, Bordelle and Maison Close, also rubbed shoulders with up-and-coming brands including Elisa Poppy, Undress Code and Le Petit Trou, while body-positive brands, such as Parfait, Elomi and Curvy Kate, were given a larger area in the event’s market than ever before, reflecting a growing industry trend.

Indeed, body positivity and inclusivity were in the spotlight at this edition of Curve NY. Industry expert and influencer Kimmay Caldwell hosted an “Inclusiveness and Intimate Apparel Panel” during the event, with the participation of The Natori Company President Ken Natori, Parfait’s Amandine Taylor, The Rack Shack owner Laura Henny, The Lingerie Collective co-founder Tiffany Cole-Allen, and model and activist Nicki Vrotsos.
 
Plus-size model and author Liris Crosse also gave a presentation entitled “Build Confidence,” while Todd Mick, executive director of The NPD Group, offered attendees a talk on “The Evolution/Revolution of the Consumer and Intimates Market,” with NPD Market Insights Director Kristen Classi-Zummo.
 
Commenting on the latest industry trends seen at the show, Eurovet Americas CEO Raphael Camp explained, “We are seeing the rise of hybrid brands – the lines between innerwear and outerwear are being blurred. Lingerie and Swimwear items are being crafted in new materials that artfully transition from the boudoir or pool to the nightclub or music festival.”
 
“Top social media platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat see a great majority of their interactions driven by celebrities and influencers wearing inner-wear as outerwear, lingerie driven trends such as bodysuits, bralettes and lingerie-influenced athleisure,” added Camp.

The next edition of Curve NY will take place in the Javits Center, February 2 through 4, 2020.