Vivian Wang Named Kingpins CEO, Founder Andrew Olah to Take Advisory Role
Leadership transition comes as the global denim sourcing platform heads into its 21st year while maintaining its unique DNA and mission to connect the international denim community.
NEW YORK | January 2025 – Kingpins Show, the pioneering denim supply chain sourcing event and global platform, has announced the appointment of Vivian Wang as its new Chief Executive Officer. This marks a significant milestone in the company’s 20-year history, as it introduces the CEO role following a strategic partnership with trade show leader Messe Frankfurt. Andrew Olah, founder of Kingpins and the driving force behind the company’s success, will transition into an advisory role, offering guidance in shaping the show’s future.
Olah, a visionary in the denim industry, launched Kingpins in 2004 with a mission to redefine the way the global jeans business connects and collaborates. Under his leadership, Kingpins evolved from a small, intimate sourcing event in New York into a powerful platform that now serves as the heartbeat of the denim community worldwide. Known for his unwavering commitment to sustainability and education, Olah has positioned Kingpins as a global standard-bearer for the denim industry.
“Andrew’s vision has been the foundation of everything Kingpins stands for today,” Wang said. “He saw an opportunity to create something entirely new for the denim industry — a space where business, innovation and collaboration could thrive. It’s an honor to carry forward his legacy and build upon the incredible platform he created.”
Olah and Wang’s partnership has been instrumental in Kingpins’ growth. Together, they expanded the show into new international markets, culminating in the launch of the Amsterdam show in 2014. Over the years, Kingpins has hosted more than 90 trade shows and events, establishing a reputation as the premier destination for denim mills, manufacturers, chemical and machinery suppliers, fiber makers, and other key players in the jeans supply chain.
Reflecting on Kingpins’ journey, Olah said, “From the start, I wanted Kingpins to be more than just a trade show. I envisioned a global platform where the denim community could gather to share ideas, tackle challenges and celebrate the artistry and innovation behind every pair of jeans. Seeing how far we’ve come — and knowing it’s in such capable hands with Vivian — gives me great confidence in the future of Kingpins.”
Wang, who has been with Kingpins since its founding, has played a vital role in its success, from designing the logo and invitation for the first show to overseeing its international expansion. As the company’s Managing Director and Head of Global Sales, Wang established the Kingpins brand in key markets and guided its evolution into a globally respected platform. Under her leadership, Kingpins now hosts biannual shows in New York and Amsterdam, an annual show in China, and smaller pop-up events worldwide.
In 2023, Kingpins formed a strategic partnership with Messe Frankfurt. Under the terms of the agreement, Kingpins remains an independent operation. Wang is dedicated to preserving the show’s unique DNA and core mission to create a welcoming and easy-to-navigate space for the global denim community to conduct business, share insights and innovate.
“Messe Frankfurt’s partnership strengthens Kingpins by providing us with access to its extensive resources and expertise,” Wang said. “However, at its heart, Kingpins will always be the show that Andrew envisioned — a place for the denim industry to come together, collaborate and push boundaries.”
By combining Olah’s pioneering vision with Wang’s leadership and Messe Frankfurt’s global reach, Kingpins is poised to continue its legacy as the world’s leading platform for the denim industry.
ABOUT KINGPINS
The Kingpins Show is an invitation-only, boutique denim sourcing show featuring a highly-edited selection of vendors that include denim and sportswear fabric mills from the U.S., Japan, China, India, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, Thailand, Spain and Mexico; wash houses; full package manufacturers; trim providers; and makers of technology, wash chemicals and business solutions. Kingpins, which launched in 2004, produces biannual shows in New York and Amsterdam, as well as annual shows in Hong Kong and China.
In 2023, Messe Frankfurt became a shareholder in Kingpins. Under the agreement with the 800-year-old trade show organizer, Kingpins continues to operate independently as a platform for the industry to meet, network and share information and insights.
