Dallas Market Center, the largest fashion marketplace in the U.S., is showcasing the latest trends for the upcoming season in footwear, apparel, and accessories at the Apparel & Accessories Market on Oct. 22-24.
Notably, temporary footwear exhibitors will have a new location on the 13th floor — adjacent to the permanent footwear showrooms — to enhance efficiency and allow buyers to explore all footwear resources in one place.
Beyond footwear, the Apparel & Accessories Market will feature new product categories and give exhibitors the chance to connect with new buyers looking to expand their product offerings — making it an ideal time for retailers attending to explore the evolving landscape of Dallas Market Center.
“If it’s been some time since you have seen Dallas Market Center, now is a perfect time to take a look, see the evolution of the marketplace, and experience the Dallas difference!” said Jill Cunningham, senior vice president of leasing, apparel and accessories at Dallas Market Center.
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Here, Fairchild Studio sat down to chat with Cunningham about why Dallas Market Center sets itself apart from other trade shows, why it’s a must-attend for buyers of all retail categories, what to expect at upcoming shows and more.
Fairchild Studio: Tell us about Dallas Market Center. Why is it a beneficial trade show for brands across all retail categories to showcase at?
Jill Cunningham: Dallas Market Center is the largest fashion marketplace in the U.S. and offers the most complete and comprehensive range of product categories including apparel, accessories and footwear — plus aligned categories like gifting. This matters because offering an unmatched mix of merchandise helps buyers who attend our markets create a lifestyle retail experience that will bring in new customers and keep their inventory fresh.
Fairchild Studio: How does Dallas Market Center set itself apart from other B2B trade shows?
J.C.: We have tremendous momentum. More buyers from coast to coast are choosing Dallas and we continue to attract new brands. The gain in buyers began pre-pandemic but accelerated as buyers increasingly sought an in-person experience at a single location with the product they needed.
In 2021-22, we welcomed the entire Western and English industry which delivered thousands of new buyers and hundreds of brands, including footwear, to the Dallas Market Center.
For exhibitors, showing at Dallas Market Center means introducing your footwear to thousands of new buyers who are looking to expand their mix. For buyers, attending the Apparel & Accessories Market means the chance to efficiently explore fashion accessories and footwear, allowing them to add depth to their merchandise offering in one efficient marketplace.
Fairchild Studio: How do you see Dallas Market Center as a major attraction for footwear brands to exhibit to visitors of the trade show? And how can brands reach new audiences through showcasing at the Dallas Market Center?
J.C.: Footwear brands choose Dallas to get their brand seen by footwear buyers as well as buyers from other retail categories, including apparel stores and gift stores, that are looking to mix up their inventory to attract new and diverse customers, especially during the busy holiday buying season.
Footwear exhibitors can reach new audiences by highlighting their products to Dallas’s extensive network of buyers, retailers and industry professionals who attend the Apparel & Accessories Market.
Fairchild Studio: How do you see Dallas Market Center as a must-attend for footwear buyers?
J.C.: Attending Dallas is essential for footwear buyers looking for the newest trends and freshest styles in footwear, but also those looking to add a mix of fashion accessories and gifts to their inventory.
Fairchild Studio: What can brands showcase at the trade show and attendees expect this year at the October Apparel and Accessories Market show and next year?
J.C.: Exhibitors at October’s Apparel & Accessories Market can expect to be showcased alongside other top brands to buyers eager to write orders for new styles of footwear, as well as buyers looking to add footwear into their product offering. October is the traditional kick-off for spring, which is a critical season in this region and attracts lots of buyers eager to place orders.
As we look ahead to January, our first Apparel & Accessories Market of the year will coincide with what we’re calling Dallas Fashion Week. During this time, the Apparel & Accessories Market will take place alongside our shows for Western, English and men’s apparel.
January also marks the debut of our 10th-floor Western expansion, which will attract an influx of buyers eager to explore brand-new showrooms for Western and English exhibitors. This includes footwear brands that exclusively show in Dallas such as Tecovas, Old Gringo, Rios of Mercedes and more.
