Getting a new line. It's Akademik!

I've been looking to replace one of the Tru Drama's existing lines. The line is maturing and flirting with the mass market. Since we're all about the hot and new, that won't do.

The process of choosing and obtaining a new line can sometimes be a tough one. However, it can fall into one's lap as easily as watching TV. I was watching America's Next Top Model (yes I have an addiction). The mid episode prize was a photoshoot for 3 girls for a line called Akademiks. It's an urban line with an emphasis on innovation and graphical prints. It seems like a good fit but my partner feels it's too young. We won't know until it gets into the store.

Getting a line isn't always easy. Sometimes it hard to even find out who the agent representing the brand is. Many times the agent won't sell to an area where the brand already exists, the store and brand have different concepts and/or simply the agent and buyer don't get along. It's especially hard for new stores to get respect from agents.

In this situation the line was almost as easy as finding it. The agent is a guy I've known for ages. We've done business in the past and it was easy as picking up the phone. He noted that like me, he's been flooded by inquiries after the airing of the America's Next Top model episode. I ordered up a few test pieces and they will be arriving for Holiday, so around December.