CEO’s Letter: Focused on the Future, Keeping Heritage in Mind

I was so touched by all the well-wishes I received following the announcement that I have been named Chief Executive Officer of Kingpins Show. It has been incredible to see so many people respond so positively — it really means the world to me. What I found most gratifying is having people recognize my hard work and my deep commitment to our exhibitors, as well as my dedication to listening to everyone’s voices. 

When I started working with Andrew Olah on the very first show, I didn’t envision one day becoming CEO. In those early days, we didn’t have a big growth plan, we just focused on making sure the next show was a fun and productive place to meet and do business. 

As the show grew, our plans grew — but we still approach show production in the same way. For every show, we want to provide a place where the denim industry can connect and learn and be inspired and feel welcomed among a community of their peers. 

I learned so much from Andrew working together for 20 years to build this business. From the very beginning, he gave me the freedom to shape and build many of the elements that formed the core DNA of Kingpins. That trust and creative space allowed us to grow the show into what it is today. 

Now that Andrew has passed the responsibility to me, I’m excited to experiment and introduce new ideas. At the upcoming show in Amsterdam, you will get a first look at how I plan to evolve the show while still retaining that core DNA. I’m not alone in this — I have an incredible team that I’ve built over the years. Together we will bring these ideas to life.

Over the last year, I have been traveling quite a bit (even more than usual!) and one of the places I visited was Japan. Most of us are familiar with the legendary quality of Japanese denim. On my travels, I met with Japanese denim companies to talk to them about their products and their businesses and share ideas about how we could work together. The result of those meetings is Made in Japan, a collection of mills and manufacturers from Japan that will debut at SugarFactory in April. 

I encourage all of you to visit Made in Japan, meet with the exhibitors and explore their craftsmanship firsthand, and discover the innovative techniques that set Japanese denim apart. You can find it on the ground floor next to The Boxes. Look for the giant kimono, which was created by Made in Japan exhibitor Showa using fabrics from all the Made in Japan participants. The finished piece is not only beautiful but also deeply meaningful — it’s definitely a must-have selfie moment for everyone!

Another new space at the show this season is the Jeanius Hub, located on the upper floor (where you will also find Denim Talks and our lunchtime food stations). Jeanius Hub is our area for inspiration and exploration. There you will find activities, installations, new start-ups, as well as a few more-established companies who are new to Kingpins but have ideas that I think you will find enlightening. Please spend some time, get hands-on and ask questions. There is a lot to explore there. 

This season, we will also have more content tailored for denim’s next generation. We’re bringing back our “Denim 101” education series. Our Introduction class will be led by Michael Morrell, the President and CEO of Freedom Denim Americas and Europe. Michael is a sixth-generation textile and apparel expert from a family whose legacy in the U.S. textile business stretches back more than 200 years. He brings his comprehensive understanding of the industry to this introductory session, which will close out the second day of Denim Talks seminars. Although this session was created for young professionals who are new to the industry, feel free to sit in. Michael will bring his experience and insight into how jeans are made and how the industry operates. 

Keep an eye out for our young denim talents at the show, many will be wearing special white wristbands. Some will be helping us out on the floor all throughout the show. Others will be arriving at the show on day two to attend Denim 101 and get a glimpse into our industry in action. 

Another recent stop on my travels was China and I head back there after the Amsterdam show for the next edition of Kingpins China-Hangzhou, set for May 22-23. We’re putting together a dynamic program, including a mix of B2B and B2C activities, organized into two channels: Innovation Day on May 22, and Inspiration Day on May 23.

Let me highlight two panel discussions in our Denim Talks series, one from each day. On the first day, Tricia Carey will moderate a panel discussion called “Circularity in Denim: New Business Models.” On the second day, I have the honor of moderating “Meet The Leaders,” a roundtable discussion with denim industry experts including Amy Wang, General Manager of Advance Denim;  Janet Lui, Senior Design & Product Development Manager of Crystal Group’s  Denim Division; and Charmaine Chow, Executive Vice President of Merchandising for Newtimes Group.  

Tonello will bring its stunning Denim Renaissance: The Beauty of Time collection to Kingpins China-Hangzhou and there will be a dramatic installation by UseDem and Dinghui Fashion that will feature 500 pairs of upcycled jeans.

You can expect more ideas like these going forward as I work to maintain the excellent quality of Kingpins exhibitors and attendees. I want people to equate Kingpins with the best-of-the-best in denim. If you are a brand or retailer attending Kingpins, I want you to know that you will be seeing the top-tier denim suppliers in the world. The same goes for the exhibitors. We are a highly curated show in purposely chosen intimate venues. If you are a Kingpins exhibitor, you know that you are exhibiting alongside the best. 

In the first few weeks of 2025, many of the people I spoke with were very optimistic about the prospects for the denim industry. Many tell me they are still hopeful, but 2025 will no doubt be a challenging year. While I cannot predict the future, I can tell you that I plan to keep traveling throughout the year and to keep talking to people working in our industry. Our community is resilient and connected and global — and that is a real strength. 

I look forward to speaking with you all and discussing ideas for the future of Kingpins and our industry. See you in Amsterdam.