Tucked inside a chandeliered suite in the middle of the Alexis Park Hotel during United, Magic, Project, Pool, and Unity trade shows during the last week of August, is a unique brand showcase/trade show called FoSho FoShow representing some of the top independent U.S. and Japanese streetwear brands. In its 5^th season, the show has grown, slowly and organically from a handful of carefully curated brands, to 12 which represented August 27-29. As director Linyee Yuan explains in an exclusive interview with Label Networks TV, “This is the only trade show for brands by brands.” And the brands that are a part of this association certainly set new standards, including 10 Deep, Crooks & Castles Illuminati label, Lavie, Lemar & Dauley, Milkcrate Athletics, Rocksmith Tokyo, Swagger, Undrcrwn, Complete Technique, Kilo Goods, HiQee, andDC Shoes.

Unlike most shows with cornered-off booth spaces, FoSho FoShow’s format has each brand represented in a big circle. Like Knights of the Round Table, there is no head which means each brand is presented equally. And each brand that represented has something unique to share among the other brands. Overall what’s clear is that streetwear has stepped-up and is more high-fashion including attention to new details that you don’t see in most high-end fashion, mixed fabrications that haven’t traditionally been brought together, new systems, concepts, and ideas in graphics, colorways, and textures. So when you go through the show, no matter which direction of the circle, it’s like capturing a slice of streetwear subculture on a new level with intricacies in-between that takes you from shoes and accessories, to apparel, varsity jackets, windbreakers, wallets, and even crystallized backpacks and carry-alls for fitted caps and basketballs. In the middle were DJ’s connected with the scene, and an open lounge sponsored by Zune and Mountain Dew Green Label Art Project.

To illustrate the complimentary aspects of the show, 10 Deep, out of NYC, which is noted as the leader in creating the streetwear scene 12 years ago, showcased pieces that continue to move things forward with their collection and strong designs that border on utilitarian fashion and expression in graphics. Crooks & Castles from LA represented their new Illuminati label which is a higher-end line with themes ranging from robber barons like the Rockefellers to modern day billionaires such as Bill Gate. Lemar & Dauley from Brooklyn was on a mission to be the MOMA of street and sports apparel with ‘90’s sport motifs and designs, whereas Milkcrate Athletics, one of the first to come from music and DJ culture, movies in music inspired directions with its apparel. Rocksmith Tokyo out of Tokyo uses pop culture references mixed with hip-hop, whereas Swagger, also out of Tokyo and known for collabs with The North Face, Timberland, and Levi’s is pushing trends with cutting edge designs that come from a more urban lifestyle including new carry-bags for coveted fitted caps or basketballs.

Undrcrwn’s been getting a lot of hype lately with its sports-inspired pieces and luxury basketball lifestyle, whereas Complete Technique makes audio jewelry in precious metals a completely new sort of must-have accessory—which would go with any of the brands at the show. Other key brands of course were DC Shoes, Lavie which mixes urban and high fashion in clothing designs, Kilo Goods, and HiQee—the last 3 being brands that are a must-see to know where things are headed among new, but lesser known movements in streetwear.

Overall, when you see how such a curated show can work so well together, you realize that while most trade shows are going for volume, growth on a more moderate scale can bring great success. Such aesthetics with FoShow FoShow worked well as it also brought in just as select high-end buyers looking for something fresh.