All the Intel on the Upcoming FFANY, Micam, Magic, Project and Dallas Trade Shows
After a successful and robust market week in December, many in the footwear industry are “cautiously optimistic” about business despite growing concerns regarding how potential new tariffs on foreign imports could impact their bottom lines.
Aside from politics, the unusual and extreme cold temperatures that impacted much of the U.S. in January have a lot of experts thinking about how weather will affect sales this year. And the ongoing fires in Los Angeles continue to weigh on everyone’s minds.
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Here, organizers of some of the footwear community’s largest trade shows discuss what to expect at their next events, how to make the most of the opportunities and more.
FFANY
DATES: FEB. 3-7
SANDI MINES PRESIDENT OF FFANY AND VICE PRESIDENT OF CORPORATE ENGAGEMENT, FDRA
Ways we’re improving the experience: “Our smaller markets in February and August allow us to spend extra time with our members to make sure their needs are met. Right now, buyers are looking for newness, and this season we will be focused on making sure that we’re really amplifying what the brands are trying to do, which is business. But so far, we’ve heard that people have busy schedules, mostly between Monday and Wednesday, with lots of appointments lined up.”
How to make the most of FFANY: “We’re available to help brands and retailers tell everyone what they’re up to, where they’re located, what they need to know and how to get in and out of New York in a seamless, efficient way. So really, [the important thing is] making sure you book your appointments in advance. And in the slower markets, now is a great time to shop the market to see what’s going on in the department stores and boutiques around the city.”
PROJECT
DATES: FEB. 10-12
EDWINA KULEGO VICE PRESIDENT OF INTERNATIONAL, SOURCING AND MENSWEAR, MMGNET GROUP
What to expect at the show: “Project features an array of prominent brands in menswear, including Adidas, Lacoste, Dickies, Market, Umbro, Goorin Bros and G Star Raw. The event also hosts interactive and exclusive brand activations from Walmart and StockX, trend sessions and insightful content, all designed to help drive culture and creativity in the fashion space. This year’s Project will also have a Golf Store, presented by Gwop Meet, featuring trailblazing golf brands like Malbon, Devereux, Pluto Golf and Students Golf, as well as brands with deep skate roots such as The Number Thirty- Three and Sandy Par, among many more.”
How to make the most of Project: “Download and utilize the show app for navigation and to plan out how to connect and meet with emerging designers. I also recommend stopping by the Ad Infinitum activation to see the latest in sustainable fashion. Lastly, network outside of the event and interact with the Project community at the official after party at Omnia with a live DJ set from Lil Jon.”
Ways we’re improving the experience: “This season, we are introducing more curated sport- lifestyle areas, specifically in skate and golf, to tap into the growing convergence of fashion and sports. Project will also be facilitating more connections between buyers and brands through the exclusive brand curation program, as well as placing a focus on highlighting the voices of creators and key industry players during the many education sessions taking place at the Now Forum throughout the three-day show.”
Show brands to see: “Some new and returning footwear brands at Project include Nike SB, New Balance, SJ Footwear, East Pacific Trade, Hey Dude, K-Swiss, Steve Madden Men’s and Javi.”
MAGIC LAS VEGAS
DATES: FEB. 10-12
JORDAN RUDOW VICE PRESIDENT OF MAGIC, MMGNET GROUP
What to expect at the shows: “Magic Las Vegas [continues to] showcase women’s footwear, apparel and accessories … from over 50 countries around the world. All of the categories will be co-located in West Hall with footwear throughout and merchandised according to price point. This year Magic will debut Contemporary at Magic, a newly curated community featuring contemporary apparel, footwear and accessories, from value to contemporary price points, creating a robust one-stop-shop for women’s retailers.”
How to make the most of Magic: “I always recommend our retailers and buyers plan ahead. Knowing your budget and scheduling appointments in advance, with both existing and new vendors, will help maximize connections with potential customers. Also, take advantage of our free education sessions. There are always important conversations happening at these sessions that can help inform buyers on upcoming trends, industry news and seasonal changes.”
Ways we’re improving the experience: “With the success of last year’s fashion show at our New York event, we are bringing it to Las Vegas this season to highlight upcoming trends from our exhibiting brands to the retailer community. The fashion show will debut looks from Mmgnet Group’s buyer’s guide, highlighting key must-have items for the spring 2026 seasons. There will also be an opening-night happy hour held prior to the fashion show to bring the Las Vegas community together for some interactive networking outside of the formal show floor hours.”
Shoe brands to see: “Magic has a continued strong footwear presence on the show floor, including the likes of Dolce Vita, Seychelles, Jeffery Campbell, Matisse, Hey Dude, Mia, Chinese Laundry, Steve Madden, and Betsey Johnson.”
MICAM MILANO
DATES: FEB. 23-25
GIOVANNA CEOLINI PRESIDENT, MICAM AND ASSOCALZATURIFICI
What to expect at the show: “Micam is expected to have over 1,000 brands and the number of buyers [will be] equal to last year’s edition. Plus, to keep up with market changes, at MicamX there is the Future of Retail area, a space dedicated to innovation and technologies for retail, the Trends and Materials area where you can touch trendy materials linked to the Buyer Guide, and the Emerging Designers area, where 12 emerging talents bring their collections.”
How to make the most of Micam: “We produce the Buyer Guide with the edition’s must-haves, a useful tool to optimize purchases. At every edition, many buyers use the Buyer Guide to orientate their purchases.”
How we’re improving the experience: “We will be presenting important topics at MicamX with exceptional speakers on the subject of technological innovation. And given the success of September, the catwalk shows with the best of the fall 2025 collections will be back at MicamX every day.”
DALLAS APPAREL & ACCESSORIES MARKET
DATES: MARCH 25-28
JILL CUNNINGHAM SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF APPAREL AND ACCESSORIES LEASING, DALLAS MARKET CENTER
What to expect at the show: “We are now the largest trade event in the U.S. for women’s apparel, accessories and footwear, [featured across Dallas Market Center’s 5 million-square- foot campus]. Buyers can expect to see top footwear brands with the latest styles, while also exploring new and trending apparel, accessories and gift items across hundreds of permanent showrooms and temporary exhibitors. Exhibitors can expect to be exposed to footwear buyers, but also attendees from the Total Home & Gift Market, which is taking place at the same time.”
How to make the most of the Dallas show: “Buyers can explore a selection of temporary exhibitors in the new location on the 13th floor and visit permanent showrooms across the 13th, 14th and 15th floors to discover the latest styles of footwear, from contemporary to Western. March is the only buying experience of the year in which footwear buyers can go to the Total Home & Gift Market, happening at the same time, to shop trending gift items to expand and elevate merchandise.”
How we’re improving the experience: “Dallas is continuing to evolve the Apparel & Accessories Market with the move of footwear to the 13th floor, which allows for growth of the category and enhances the buyer experience for easier navigation of the market.”
Shoe brands to see: “In addition to the temporary footwear exhibitors, buyers can visit the 13th and 15th floor for contemporary footwear brands, including Matisse, Melissa, Liberty Black, Steve Madden and more. We are the home for Western, and Western footwear showrooms will be open on the 14th floor with brands you will only find in Dallas, including Corral Boot Co., Old Gringo and Bed-Stu.”
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