Me (left), Lori Epner of Kustom marketing, and Vanessa (right)
Last week, Breezy Mama‘s Fashion Editor, Vanessa, and I were invited to attend Billabong’s mini tradeshow, which was made up of their umbrella brands. Held at the beautiful Surf & Sand in Laguna Beach, Vanessa and I didn’t hesitate to say yes. Besides Billabong–one of the giants and leaders of the surf industry, we were also able to take a sneak peek at RVCA, Kustom, Element, Nixon, Von Zipper and Dot Dash. What did we discover? That this coming Summer/Fall, you will not be disappointed in fashion. Here are some of the hottest trends by some of the action sport’s industry’s biggest brands.
It was my first time seeing the Kustom line, and it didn’t let us down. Jute slip-ons with burlap details, pretty suede ballerina flats and oxfords that were soft and supple were but a few of the shoes we saw. Boat shoes are still hot, and we loved this scaled down denim version for women. As Lori, who does PR and marketing for the brand said, “We’ve seen this waxed denim in jeans and jean jackets, so it’s interesting to see it in footwear this season.”
Always ahead of the curve, Billabong’s line is as beautiful as always. Prints which reminded me of American Indians, ponchos, and tees with all-American graphics (think eagles), it would all look perfect with a pair of distressed leather Frye’s and short shorts. Their “White Wash” collection (top photo is a snapshot of their catalog) was filled with ethereal whites, light cottons, and beautiful blues. The bottom photo, also a shot from their catalog, shows all the hot trends: the high/low cut, sheer fabric, and the “Made in USA” feel.
What started as a watch company has evolved into so much more. Nixon carries a full accessory line (top) photo, as well as softgoods. What’s their hottest seller for Fall? The hickory denim, which you see in the bottom.
As soon as Element introduced a Junior’s line (they got their start in making skateboards–ever hear of Bam Margera? Yeah, he rides for Element), they’ve never let us down. Totally fashion forward, but in liveable pieces, their line is amazing. Aztec prints, chunky sweaters and ponchos were the thing at Element. Paired with leggings or skinny jeans and whisper light fabrics, the look is rugged, yet soft.
Always full of laughs (check out those beanies!), but taking the manufacturing of their products oh-so-seriously, you never know what to expect from Von Zipper. This summer comes the Alysium, a no-nonsense glass with “cam hinges” which are 1) extremely strong (go ahead and let the baby play with your sunglasses) and 2) non-corrosive. They also have a molded rubber nosepad so they don’t slip, which means you can wear them during Mommy and Me swim, at the park and well, just about anywhere.
Pronounced r-oo-ca, this brand has always been on the edgier side, and the Fall collection is no exception. In the top photo you can see the “high-low” trend that is going to be oh-so-HOT (seriously, everyone had pieces in their lines with it–from sweaters to dresses to blouses) and their version of a maxi-dress–very long, and very sheer. Acid wash and animal prints were also seen throughout the line.
For those of you who love quality glasses, but cringe when your child picks them up, Dot Dash is for you. Totally fashion forward, but yet totally economical (as in under $30.00), this brand rocks. Dot Dash Designer/Merchandiser Rob Riese told us that, this summer we’ll still be seeing the Wayfarer style (a la Tom Cruise in Risky Business) as well as glasses with “flat lines on top–a throwback to the ’70′s and ’80′s.” Many styles are available with a polarized lens as well (!).
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