Kingpins Takes Pop-Up Concept to Chengdu
Trade and consumer audience turns out for denim collections, workshops and live music
Kingpins introduced its denim platform to a new audience in Chengdu, China, with a hybrid Pop-Up event that mixed Kingpins’ denim supply chain trade show expertise with consumer-facing activities that incorporated Chengdu’s legacy as a streetwear and music cultural center.
Held November 14-16 at Cosmo in the Jinjiang District, Kingpins Chengdu Pop-Up offered a look at what’s on the denim horizon, including inspirational installations, unique shopping experiences and customization stations, creative workshops, a fashion show, live open-mic music and B2B networking.
“We’re excited about the potential of taking Kingpins on the road and inviting consumers to experience our passion for the art and history of denim,” said Kingpins CEO Vivian Wang. “Just as our Kingpins Shows reimagined the traditional trade-show format, our Pop-Ups give us the freedom to test fresh ideas, explore new cities and connect with new audiences. This is an evolving initiative, and we expect it to keep growing and improving. We welcome the denim community to share ideas for future Pop-Ups.”
Chengdu, with a population of around 21.4 million, is one of the largest cities Kingpins has ever showcased in and provided the opportunity to introduce Kingpins’ international denim community to a new audience.
Highlights from the show included:
- Hands-on workshops, such as the collaboration between Cone Denim and JingqiuMade, which invited attendees to upcycle and transform blue jeans.
- A retail marketplace featuring items from companies such as Simwood; Shanghai Jingqui Industrial; Simwood; 1807; Unit 9; Fade to Blue; Lildenimjean; Sex&Jeans; HMS; and FRAYLAW.
- A runway show featuring finalists from Advance Denim’s Digital Competition.
ABOUT KINGPINS
Kingpins is an invitation-only, denim sourcing show featuring a highly curated selection of companies representing the global denim supply chain from fiber makers, mills and manufacturers, to chemical and machinery suppliers and other companies that serve the denim and jeans business.
Launched in 2004, the company currently produces shows and events in New York, Amsterdam and China.
Since 2025, Kingpins has been part of Texpertise — the umbrella brand uniting all textile trade shows of Messe Frankfurt. Under the agreement with Messe Frankfurt, one of the world’s leading trade fair organizers, Kingpins continues to operate independently as a platform for the industry to meet, network and share information and insights.
