(PRESS RELEASE) LOFT Eyewear Shows are independent luxury eyewear events held annually in New York City and Las Vegas. LOFT NYC will expand to two extra locations this spring.
The event will run from March 21 to March 24 at the current Hudson Mercantile event space at the corner of 10th and West 36th streets in New York City as well as Mercantile 37 and Mercantile 38, two adjoining spaces about 500 feet away on the 37th Street block.
This year will mark the first time that the LOFT NYC event will expand to include more spaces.
Founder Richard Mewha said, “Since we started this event back in 2000 with just a couple of independent brands, it has evolved each year into something really special. As we grew, the independent eyewear movement also grew and we have been at the forefront of showcasing the most cutting edge eyewear designers from across the globe.”
LOFT NYC already expanded a couple of years ago with the addition of a second floor to house many independent collections. The demand has outstripped the current space, so extra venues were sought to accommodate more brands. Hudson Mercantile had two spaces available less than a block from the current location.
Mewha continued, “We were very interested in expanding the event only if we could attract designers that are using different methods and implementing new ideas and technology into their collections. We want our event to highlight the points of difference in our eyewear design to that of the mainstream.”
Many new brands will be making their debut at LOFT NYC in 2019, including Mykita, which will anchor the new spaces with SALT OPTICS. Joining them will be exciting new collections from FEB31ST, Delirious Eyewear, Philippe V, RES/REI, John Dalia, AM Eyewear, Dolpi, L.G.R, VAVA and more. Lowercase NYC will debut its handmade in the USA collection, which it manufactures in Brooklyn, and Emmanuelle Khanh will make a long-awaited return. Other new collections include Catherine De Medici, Haffmans & Neumeister, Henau, Xavier Derome and Jean Philippe Joly.
Louis Fullagar, marketing director of LOFT Eyewear Shows, said, “We are very confident that we have the right mix of innovation, fashion, style and design in the group of independent companies showing this year. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to meet their favorite eyewear designers and gather in-depth knowledge of the eyewear they sell in their stores every day.”
The LOFT NYC event runs an extra day (Thursday) to accommodate buyers and staff who are tied up with appointments elsewhere over the weekend. The event is catered during breakfast and lunch and beverages are available throughout the day in all locations.
Fullagar continued, “LOFT NYC has now become a small village of independent eyewear design. It’s an unmissable event. Having MYKITA join us in the new spaces this year is a testament to how much we have grown, and in the right way! We have not given up our core values of quality and innovation. We have just made it a better experience for the discerning eyewear buyer.”