Lingerie at the International Lingerie Show? You Bet!

LAS VEGAS—While adult novelty and pleasure products manufacturers have increased their presence at the International Lingerie Show in recent years, the trade expo is still mostly about lingerie. And in exhibitors’ booths and the fashion show, buyers got a glimpse of what’s hot this season. Coquette, a Canadian-based lingerie company, had several new pieces to showcase, including its new Darque collection. The company officially launched the 2013 catalogue for the edgy collection at ILS, which took place April 8-10 at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The Darque collection incorporates more hardware such as grommets, zippers, metal garters and studs in this year's line as compared to last. They also use materials such as wet look, pleather, PVC, lace, poly-knit blends and Lycra. Some of the most popular items in the collection include the wet look thigh-high stockings that come with or without lace bands at the top, wet look wristlet gloves and a wet look spiked mini dress with a scrunched behind. “Our designers also incorporated soft, molded push-up cups in the bras of most pieces,” said Erin Sue, director of marketing and public relations for Coquette. Also new from the company are items in the main collection, many of which comes in various shades of purple. “Purple is the new red,” Erin Sue said. And for Halloween, the lingerie company introduces 21 new items including a knit cable mini dress and accessories in the Sock Monkey outfit and a line of pieces with accessories inspired by The Wizard of Oz.  “We wanted to expand out styles and really focus on our brand,” Erin Sue explained. “We are going in a completely new direction from the blacks and reds that our company was known for, for so many years, and have everything feature a more European boutique feel.” The trend of licensed costumes for Halloween continues this year, with companies like Rubies Costume Co. introducing hot new items from the Star Wars and Star Trek franchises. The new Darth Vader-inspired costume that features a black mini dress with tu-tu style skirt with a matching belt, headpiece and knee socks, while the Female Stormtrooper Costume is a black jumpsuit with while molded armor pieces on the front of the torso, legs and arms with a utility belt and two-piece full-head helmet. Clubwear also saw some updates this year, as several companies expanded on last year’s trend of bright neon colors and made them glow in the dark. Baci Lingerie also had a major presence at the show, unveiling the new Dreams 2 collection at the trade show. In addition to adding new styles to the Dreams bedroom costume line, it also expanded the company’s size offerings, with all 12 styles available in plus sizes. Baci also led the trend this year of men’s underwear, with the debut of the Envy line. The line features trendy styles for the fashion-forward man. The initial release features 55 styles, including briefs, thongs, boxer briefs, mesh briefs, tank tops, mesh tanks, and many more. The softer side of the trade show also featured cosmetics to compliment the lingerie and costume collections. Cailyn, a cosmetic and skin care company based in Los Angeles, had several items for buyers in their booth, but the most attention was focused on the gel eyeliner the company created a few years ago. With new colors, including jewel tones with glitter, the gel eyeliner is smudgeproof and waterproof. The brush is built-in to the lid and can create a fine line or be used for a wider application. Once the gel sets, it doesn’t flake or smear. And even with so many return exhibitors, there were some new faces at ILS this year. Evil Angel, a company known for traditionally creating harder-edge gonzo adult movies, is looking to branch out and expand its brand with a new clothing line. Evil by Ricky Carrefero unofficially launched at the International Lingerie Show, which took place April 8-10 at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. “We are not officially out there yet,” explained John Stagliano, owner of Evil Angel. “We are still looking to see what works and what doesn’t.” The line will feature T-shirts, thongs, G-strings and leggings, and will officially launch sometime in the new few months.