Alternative Fashion Exhibition

PunkTV.ca: What are the origins of Londonedge?Londonedge came about in 2000 as a result of the founders Carole Hunter & Sandra Phillipson coming together to provide a platform for the alternative fashion & giftware market. Sandra was an exhibitor at a show that Carole was managing which was being closed down. Once the show was closed there would have been no trade exhibition offering space to this market, and so we came up with a plan to launch something dedicated to that market. This became Londonedge which took place for the first time in February 2000.  PunkTV.ca: This is your second year coming to New York. Why did you decide to make the move to New York?For years we have had a strong group of US exhibitors at the London show and they have encouraged us to launch something in the States. Finally we started looking into the options and, after some debate, we decided that the East Coast was not being looked after as well as the West and New York became the obvious choice.PunkTV.ca: What can one expect to find at the Londonedge New York show? This season LENY will house 65-70 exhibitors showing all manner of clothing, footwear & accessories collections covering the whole gamut of the alternative market. From goth, punk, emo, rock, retro, rockabilly, cyber, etc., etc., etc. All things alternative will be represented.
 PunkTV.ca: Tradeshows don’t really seem that “punk rock”. How is this onedifferent?LENY & Londonedge are entirely devoted to the alternative/cult markets. Rather than paying lip service to a few companies, these shows are ALL about the cult markets and the common denominator across all of the exhibitors is that they offer something edgy and different. We provide a relaxed trading environment, nothing corporate or stuffy, and we provide a DJ & put on some fab alternative entertainment such as the Grinder Girl on the David Letterman show, contortionists, belly dancers, the Mini Britney Spears and extreme stilt walkers.
 PunkTV.ca: What are some new brands that we will be seeing a lot ofsoon?At LENY there are some great collections coming out of the UK such as Criminal, Hell Bunny & Living Dead Souls as well as some great North American ranges such as Spark Designs, Make Love Not Trash, Sailor Jerry, Funky Urban, Wild Rose Tattoo Shirts & Tattooed Kingpin.
 PunkTV.ca: Why is it that the general public is not allowed into theshow? Aren’t they the ones who wear the clothes?The reason why the public can’t come into the show at the moment is that the booth holders are set up to take wholesale orders from retailers. The price point is therefore a wholesale price point rather than a retail one and they are set up very differently to cater for consumer shows. For instance they would need to have a lot of stock at the show, have credit card facilities etc., etc. Also, the exhibition as a whole has loads of other stuff to consider if the public were allowed in such as size of gangways, security, advertising etc., etc., etc. It is something that could be considered going forward though because, you’re right, they are the ones buying & wearing the gear!PunkTV.ca: What is next for Londonedge?After New York we have London 7-9th September. After that we have an exciting new website project as well as considering options to expand the brand into the east!

CONTORTIONISTS, BELLY DANCERS, POWERTOOLS (…OH DID I MENTION A MINI-BRITNEY) ADD TO THE 2008 LONDONEDGE NEW YORK (LENY) EXPERIENCE THIS JULY 21^ST AND 22^ND   

New York, NY –Londonedge New York (LENY) is fast approaching and will be held in the Javits Center. On display will be the hottest, alternative fashion trends in clothing, footwear, accessories and giftware.  If you were one of the lucky ones to stroll the tradeshow floor last year you know that these organizers strive to provide you with an experience you won’t soon forget.  That means entertainment throughout the day which some might consider out-of-the-box, but keep in mind when you combine Londonedge and NYC…ANYTHING GOES so prepare your senses for overload!

Last year attendees rubbed shoulders with sword swallowers, contortionists and aerobatic performers. Don’t miss this year because we just learned that LENY 2008’s tradeshow floor entertainment will come in all shapes and sizes.   Towering over the crowd will be the amazing stilt creations from the Alice Farley Dance Theater, a crowd favorite from last year. The stilt walker’s movements and costumes are from another world and are clearly meant for the high road. The low road will be represented as well by the world famous Terra Jole bringing you the Britney Spears experience in pint size form.  Now a Vegas regular, Mini Britney came into being through a series of fortuitous circumstances having just finished a two-year stint in the role of Mini Paula Stanley in an undersized Kiss tribute band. Radar Online has said of a recent performance that “by the time Jole had stripped down to her replica of the red latex catsuit featured in the “Oops, I Did It Again” video, she had the boys in the palm of her tiny hand” 

Take a break from checking out all those accessories and street gear and witness the highly acclaimed belly-dancing Dorit. Her captivating moves will transform you to Bulgarian playhouses of yesteryear. Another distraction will be Iggy, a spectacle in his own right that steals the show with eclectic and diverse costumes. Fighting for the main attraction award is Combustible Kiva aka Grindergirl! Grindergirl initially charmed the host of the popular late night variety show as the “Exotic Woman with the Snake.” She continues to humor and seduce them with her sultry fire eating and now GRINDERGIRL has been making weekly appearances center stage on David Letterman’s “The Late Show”. Think “Pinup Girl meets Superhero meets metal shop”.

Looking for a stuffy tradeshow event?  Look elsewhere. LENY’s leaders realize the importance of the alternative fashion tradeshow/movement. Londonedge has built a community of players that are serious about doing business in an economy that is desperately ready for something new but they also know how to let their hair down from time to time. This event is fun, fresh and memorable. Press and VIP’s are invited to attend the festivities at night for there will be a LENY 2008 kick off party on Monday, July 21^st at Don Hill’s starting at 6:30 pm. Work hard then come play hard! A crazy night of loud music, free booze, stellar goodie bags, and unreal company courtesy of our Fab-Brit-hosts!