At the MAGIC show in Las Vegas last week, we didn’t play any slots, roulette or poker.  However we certainly gambled “Double Down” by presenting our Spring 11 collection at two separate venues- Project Tradeshow at the Mandalay Bay and FN PLATFORM at the Las Vegas Convention Center.    Kristina Ho, our Brand Manager, was a Vegas tradeshow virgin and experienced a bit of sensory overload when walking through the shows.  There was just so much to see!  Nine shows going on simultaneously!  After three whirlwind days on the Strip, we returned to New York feeling good about our decision to present at both shows.   But are we willing to Double Down again in February?  That’s yet to be determined- as the orders come in, we’ll count the money and see….

What we liked most about FN PLATFORM is that it presented established and emerging footwear brands in one very organized space.  Also, the organizers really understood how it feels to be on your feet all day.  The convention center was covered by plush white carpets that provided comfy walking conditions, and also made it so much easier to gawk at what shoes other people were wearing!

Our booth was right next to Paris Hilton footwear and Paris even made an appearance too.  We gathered she entered the building when there was a growing number of people taking out their camera phones and such…

Ok…we’re guilty of such behavior too.  Here’s a shot of Paris.

Over at the Project show, we know the atmosphere attracts more “cool kids”,  but the sprawling merchandise set up created more pavement to be pounded.  However, we were in the curated shoe section surrounded by REPORT and Dolce Vita.

We weren’t necessarily wowed by any brands at PROJECT but we did fall in love with Bliss Lau‘s new pieces.  We want now!

But Vegas isn’t all work and no play.  The 80%20 team hit up the Hudson Jeans X Creative Recreation party at XS.

(left to right: Ce Ce Chin, Kristina Ho, Jasmine Takanikos, Carrie Campbell, A.J. Kesch)