Kingpins New York 2025, which took place on 23-24 July saw almost 690 attendees from nearly 320 companies meet with its denim exhibitors.
It noted that its attendance was up over July 2024 show and companies included Levi Strauss; Gap; Alexander Wang; Ralph Lauren; Good American; Calvin Klein; Michael Kors; Carhartt; and Kontoor Brand among others.
Kingpins New York 2025 introduced a new area devoted to Japanese mills and manufacturers and also had a showcase of new denim innovations and an educational programme for the denim community.
Kingpins CEO Vivian Wang explained: “The feedback has been clear: people noticed the thought and care we put into every detail, from a full house of seminars to the energy on the floor. That tells me we did something right, and I’m truly grateful.
"We understand our industry faces ongoing challenges — from tariffs to shifting supply chains and global uncertainty. But brands continue to come to our show. That is important.
"In the years since the pandemic, we’ve all learned to adapt — and more importantly, to reprioritise. So seeing both new and familiar faces at the show means the world to us.”
Other new initiatives included the Jeanius Hub, which was an area for new companies, innovations and ideas, including LAB Denim, Circ, COLOURizd, and Circulose.
The show also featured Denim 101, an interactive discussion about denim history and fibre led by industry experts with extensive hands-on denim business experience, including Freedom Denim’s Michael Morell; Proximity Manufacturing Company’s Evan Morrison; and Cone Denim’s Caitlyn Holt.
The seminar programme featured a denim forecast, Future Fit Forum and discussions on nearshoring as well as a meet the creator session and from lab to loom.
