Kingpins announces new denim show WHY

By

Cajsa Lykke Carlson

Published
Feb 18, 2016

It was in 2004 that the Kingpins tradeshow launched as a small denim chain supply show. Since then, it has expanded significantly, and now has four global editions.

Now, Kingpins is mixing it up again, launching "WHY by Kingpins," which will be the first-ever trade show to focus on branding in the denim industry. The show will run concurrently with Kingpins' Amsterdam edition and be located adjacent to it, at the Transformatorhuis in Amsterdam's Westerpark. WHY is meant to be "a platform for denim brands and branding companies to share inspiration and education while shaping the future of branding design," Kingpins stated.

It was created by Kingpins founder Andrew Olah and Kris Dumon, a branding strategist and futurist. Olah says: "There isn't a show that is giving branding, accessory, and label and tag companies a big enough spotlight. WHY is built on the idea that branding is a key component to the success of a denim brand – and it is an area of our industry that is particularly interesting right now. The level of innovation and creativity that is being pushed out by this sector is fantastic."

At WHY, visitors will find labels and trim, as well as accessories and innovative technologies, and it will also offer amenities such as complementary seminars and panels, catering and open bar as well as communal areas. Kingpins Amsterdam attendees are also welcome to attend WHY, which was named after the idea that WHY you do something (goals, dreams, brand DNA) is at the crux of whether your endeavor will be successful.

"I wanted to create a platform to show the new next to the old, so people get inspired to do something different than re-using the old over and over again," said Dumon. "I have been a fan of Kingpins for some time and appreciate how the DNA of the show is interwoven with the DNA of the denim industry. It is the kind of environment that fosters relationships and acts as a gathering place for the denim industry. However, traditionally there hasn't been much room for more than a few select branding companies on the Kingpins show floor. Now, with WHY we have the opportunity to engage with more branding companies and create a special environment that will do for branding what Kingpins has done for denim textiles."