What a Project

Walking the floor at Project Las Vegas would have you believe that graphic tees, denim, jersey knits, more denim and hipster wear will dominate the scene come fall. Considering that retailers from Japan, Canada, Dubai and London have increased their numbers at the show since it began in 2003 and celebrities such as Lauren Conrad from "The Hills," Nicki Hilton and Wilmer Valderama show their new lines, sportwear really has taken off as a fashion that consumers want to buy.

More than 600 companies exhibited at the three-day show that takes place at the Sands Convention Center during MAGIC, and more than 60 percent of the buyers represented specialty stores.

On a busy Wednesday, the first day of Project, fall's trends are out in full force. Swanky models loll around the outside of booths such as William Rast and Joe's Jeans. Huge designer lines such as Vivienne Westwood Anglomania and Tufi Duek show the brilliant colors of fall, including purples and greens.

The Anglomania line includes a dress with an attached scarf that will be a hit among streetwear aficionados. Rock & Republic brought its runway collection just shown in New York for fall orders.

The women's clothing buyers from Wynn Las Vegas plan to purchase pieces from new collections to include in the new boutique opening in Encore next December. A line such as Philipp Plein, with its diamond-encrusted pieces, will show up at Mojitos in September to usher it into the new store. The collection includes white denim with British flags, studded handbags that weigh so much they could be considered a lethal weapon and overnight bags with diamond-encrusted guns, the new alternative to ubitquitous skulls.

Over at My Tribe, cropped leather jackets will see face time this fall at Mojitos. Tufi Duek, a Brazilian designer known for evening dresses, came the closest to a line you would expect to see on the runway. Outfit carries the collection.

If finding the right denim was ever the problem, Project presented the solution. Acres of denim line the aisles -- some from household names such as Levi's and others from relative newcomers such as The Proportion of Blu, which uses Japanese denim, and Nudie Jean Co., a Swedish line of denim that carries an organic collection and a socially responsible contract for its vendors. Denim never goes out of style. Expect to see both in Mojitos this fall.

Contact Image Editor Susan Stapleton at sstapleton@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2909.