NYC Fashion Trade Shows 2025: Cabana, Co-Op, Brand Assembly, D&A & Coterie Recap.
New York’s fashion set barely had time to exhale after NYFW before a whirlwind of trade shows swept the city. In mid-September 2025, five major B2B events – Cabana, Co-Op, Brand Assembly, Designers & Agents (D&A), and Coterie – brought buyers and brands together in a high-energy market week. Each had its own vibe, from breezy resortwear to cutting-edge contemporary, but a few trends cut across all floors: bold prints, seasonless dressing, sustainable fabrics, and statement accessories. Below, we go behind the scenes for a quick insider snapshot of each show, for anyone who couldn’t make the rounds.
Cabana + Co-Op
This season marked a big debut for Cabana in NYC and the launch of its sister show, Co-Op, creating a mash-up of resortwear and contemporary RTW at Starrett-Lehigh.
Cabana’s edge: Swim, caftans, and woven totes kept the “endless summer” vibe alive. Buyers from majors like Saks and Anthropologie placed serious orders, showing resort is now a year-round category (Cabana Show).
Co-Op’s spin: Debuting alongside, Co-Op offered denim, knits, and city-ready separates. Retailers could shop bikinis and blazers in one trip. Exhibitors praised the crossover exposure (Cabana Co-Op Instagram).
Takeaway: Together, they blurred lines between holiday and daily wardrobes. As one exhibitor put it: “Our girl needs both — her bikini and her blazer.” (WWD Brand Assembly & Cabana recap)
Brand Assembly
Curated and community-driven, Brand Assembly delivered an upbeat marketplace that felt more like a creative hub than a convention.
Vibe: Themed “zones” (Beauty & Wellness, Parks & Rec, etc.) made discovery easy, while activations like yoga sessions and mixers set a collaborative tone (Brand Assembly).
Sentiment: Exhibitors and retailers praised the quality of buyers and the chance to connect at a relaxed pace. “We pride ourselves in making the environment fun and community-centric,” said co-founder Hilary France (WWD Brand Assembly recap).
Orders & trends: Seasonless knits, artisanal dresses, and wellness products drove orders, reflecting buyers’ appetite for discovery across categories.
Standout moment: A buzzing Preview Night party where brands toasted with buyers set the tone for a weekend of strong business and stronger community vibes.
Designers & Agents (D&A)
D&A once again proved why it’s the go-to for indie discovery: curated, creative, and high-energy.
Vibe: Minimalist booths, designers telling their own stories, and a studio-like setup created a creative buzz on the floor.
Sentiment: “The show’s been healthy, and traffic has been great. People are buying — enthusiastic and relieved to be back,” said co-founder Meryl Mandelbaum (WWD ).
Orders & trends: Retailers leaned into sustainable fabrics, bold prints, and artisanal details. Accessories also saw strong orders, with jewelry and bags writing well.
Standout moment: Afternoon “meet the makers” talks gave designers the mic to share their stories. One veteran buyer summed it up: “I come to D&A to remember why I love fashion.”
Coterie
The mega-show at Javits once again drew the global fashion crowd, with nearly 700 brands from 45 countries on display.
Vibe: Big, polished, and international. Overlapping with NYFW, Coterie felt like a mini world’s fair of fashion (Access Newswire).
Sentiment: Optimism was high. Over the three days, the aisles stayed busy and buyers came ready to do business. Despite a year clouded by tariff uncertainty, exhibitors said order writing never slowed — a sign of just how resilient demand proved to be. (Yahoo News)
Orders & trends: Buyers placed heavy bets on prints for apparel and brown/caramel tones in footwear (WWD Prints & footwear trends). Resortwear and occasionwear also sold strongly, reflecting seasonless buying patterns.
Standout moment: The Italian Trade Agency pavilion showcased nearly 80 designers, and a mini-runway trend show drew crowds, bringing Spring ’26’s energy to life on the floor.
Across all five shows, the signal was clear: buyers came ready to write, and brands came prepared with seasonless, sustainable, and trend-right product. Bold prints and warm neutrals (like browns and caramel tones) stood out at Coterie, especially in footwear and apparel trends. At Brand Assembly, discovery and indie storytelling drove orders and excitement among retailers. And though there wasn’t a fully confirmed wrap-up report for D&A, exhibitors expressed strong optimism on the floor. (WWD)
