Avery Swimwear at the National Women's Show

National women's show Avery swimwear — Avery shows at the National Women’s Show in spring 2022 (Photo by Tsubasa Nishiyasu)

This past spring, I participated in my first show for Avery Swimwear at the National Women’s Show in Toronto. It marked the first time I was able to showcase my line of sustainable swimwear in real life and I loved every second of it. Packed with hundreds of attendees each day, it felt exciting to be part of such a large event. This was also the return of the Women’s Show, which had been on hold since the beginning of the pandemic. How special it was to introduce my brand to the world, at last.

The National Women’s Show

Taking place at the Metro Convention Centre located in Toronto, the National Women’s Show is the largest event to for all sorts of unique items and services women would love. Being the only swimwear exhibitor at the show, I knew Avery would offer something different and exciting to the show. Made with sustainable materials and featuring vegan leather in our designs, the pieces definitely caught the eyes of curious onlookers. We were more than excited to show our collection to the public, finally.

Pictured: Avery’s Liv Bikini Top in Maven | Avery’s Lola Bikini Top in Charcoal

In the weeks leading up to the show, I was adamant in sourcing all the perfect furnishings for my booth. Combining the perfect mix of soft and sexy for Avery, I created an all-black interior. From the sleek clothing rack to wooden hangers and gridded backdrop, everything came together to create a very chic and luxe feel.

The all-black furnishings also helped to make my pastel-coloured pieces stand out. It encapsulated everything the brand was about – feminine with an edge. The custom-made neon sign with Avery’s name on display was definitely the cherry on top. It just made everything pop.

Though nerve-racking at first, it was so rewarding to see the looks on people’s faces when they got to feel and try on my pieces for the first time. Even more, having the opportunity to introduce your line to hundreds of potential customers in real life was very exciting. They were all so curious about the eco-friendly aspect and asking about what the bikinis were made from.

I was feeling a bit reserved to talk about my collection in the beginning. However, as the day went on – and seeing people’s faces light up to discovering swimwear made from recycled ocean waste – I began to feel more in my element. This was my chance to show off my products and let Toronto know exactly what made Avery stand out amongst other swimwear brands.

No one really tells you how much work goes into putting on a show. From sourcing all your booth accessories in the most cost-efficient way to figuring out how to pack all your inventory in the most compact way. Not to mention finding willing and available volunteers to help out. This is a must in any show, to give you the chance to take much-needed washroom breaks in between.

Doing the National Women’s Show was stressful but so rewarding. There was so much planning involved, it almost made my head spin. The last two weeks leading up to the show was definitely crunch time for me but thankfully, it all came together in the end. With a good amount of blood, sweat and tears, Avery was ready to be part of the show. I brought my entire collection of 11 styles in the full size range (XS-XL) just to be prepared.

Pictured: Avery’s Liv Bikini Top in Maven

This past May marked only the beginning of many vendor shows to come. Though we didn’t end up breaking even this time around, the experience and exposure was more than worth it. For the opportunity to bring my own swimwear line to such a large audience and to hear the feedback – whether good or bad – was worth every penny. It was the first time Avery Swimwear would be exhibiting but definitely not our last.

It was one of the most exciting events I’ve been a part of so far. Having worked for many retailers in the past, it was a completely different experience altogether to create and sell my own creations. After this, Avery will be showing at the Everything to Do With Sex Show and then again, at the National Women’s Show in the fall. Make sure to get your tickets to come see us in person next!

To keep up with our latest collections, please follow us on IG @averyswimwear!