Brands find success at Chicago Collective despite Tariff concerns
Chicago Collective Trade Show Credits: Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. Chicago Collective The Chicago Collective, held at the Merchandise Mart from February 1-4, 2025, proved a successful event for many menswear and accessories exhibitors, despite looming tariff uncertainties. The show, considered a key US menswear trade event, drew independent buyers from across the United States and Canada. Exhibitors reported robust traffic and positive business outcomes throughout the four-day event. Even the Saturday preview, scheduled to begin at noon, saw buyers on the floor as early as 9 a.m., with some companies reportedly taking orders by 10 a.m. Business continued even after the official closing times. Jim Seaman of Kuehnert Agency noted the consistent flow of traffic, attributing the success to representing top-tier UK brands and the presence of UK factory principals. Susannah Murray of Harley of Scotland echoed the positive atmosphere and high caliber of buyers, emphasizing their focus on quality, provenance, and heritage. James Hinton of Alan Paine England observed optimism among clients regarding the FW2025 collection, citing strong sell-through for FW2024 knitwear and wovens. John Smedley’s Nicole Lawson reported record productivity at the event, with existing, new, and returning customers for AW25. Other UK vendors, including Far Afield and Sanders, also reported positive experiences. Simon Tennant of Sanders highlighted the opportunity to connect with buyers from across North America and the positive reception of the AW2025 collection. While potential duty increases were a topic of discussion, with some buyers reportedly exercising caution, there was no widespread reluctance to place orders with UK brands. Some buyers, however, appeared to be delaying final confirmations pending greater clarity on the tariff situation. Biba Jansonius of Tateossian acknowledged some price sensitivity among customers but reported securing new accounts. Huw Griffith-Jones of Fox Umbrellas noted a strong turnout of regular customers and promising new contacts. The show's tailoring fabric section presented a less unified front, with some exhibitors, like Scabal, expanding their presence. Lindsay Taylor of Holland & Sherry, now located on the central Front Aisle, reported strong traffic and planned to request a larger stand next year. The UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT) facilitated visits for several UK menswear companies considering exhibiting. While all concluded the show was a good fit, UKFT cautioned about the long waiting list and selective admission process, emphasizing the show's focus on smaller brands without extensive US B2C presence. Paul Alger MBE of UKFT emphasized the US as the largest export market after the EU, highlighting the continued demand for quality British brands. He stressed the importance of UK companies and government support for the show to reinforce the UK as a reliable trading partner.
The Chicago Collective, held at the Merchandise Mart from February 1-4, 2025, proved a successful event for many menswear and accessories exhibitors, despite looming tariff uncertainties. The show, considered a key US menswear trade event, drew independent buyers from across the United States and Canada.
Exhibitors reported robust traffic and positive business outcomes throughout the four-day event. Even the Saturday preview, scheduled to begin at noon, saw buyers on the floor as early as 9 a.m., with some companies reportedly taking orders by 10 a.m. Business continued even after the official closing times.
Jim Seaman of Kuehnert Agency noted the consistent flow of traffic, attributing the success to representing top-tier UK brands and the presence of UK factory principals. Susannah Murray of Harley of Scotland echoed the positive atmosphere and high caliber of buyers, emphasizing their focus on quality, provenance, and heritage. James Hinton of Alan Paine England observed optimism among clients regarding the FW2025 collection, citing strong sell-through for FW2024 knitwear and wovens. John Smedley’s Nicole Lawson reported record productivity at the event, with existing, new, and returning customers for AW25.
Other UK vendors, including Far Afield and Sanders, also reported positive experiences. Simon Tennant of Sanders highlighted the opportunity to connect with buyers from across North America and the positive reception of the AW2025 collection.
While potential duty increases were a topic of discussion, with some buyers reportedly exercising caution, there was no widespread reluctance to place orders with UK brands. Some buyers, however, appeared to be delaying final confirmations pending greater clarity on the tariff situation.
Biba Jansonius of Tateossian acknowledged some price sensitivity among customers but reported securing new accounts. Huw Griffith-Jones of Fox Umbrellas noted a strong turnout of regular customers and promising new contacts.
The show's tailoring fabric section presented a less unified front, with some exhibitors, like Scabal, expanding their presence. Lindsay Taylor of Holland & Sherry, now located on the central Front Aisle, reported strong traffic and planned to request a larger stand next year.
The UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT) facilitated visits for several UK menswear companies considering exhibiting. While all concluded the show was a good fit, UKFT cautioned about the long waiting list and selective admission process, emphasizing the show's focus on smaller brands without extensive US B2C presence.
Paul Alger MBE of UKFT emphasized the US as the largest export market after the EU, highlighting the continued demand for quality British brands. He stressed the importance of UK companies and government support for the show to reinforce the UK as a reliable trading partner.
