Figure 1 Vegas already has some glamorous buildings
When it comes to fashion capitals of the world there is a general consensus that New York, Paris, London and Milan are the cities that will always be part of the conversation. But there is room for others to emerge and capture a place in the fashion consciousness.
Places like Tokyo, Dubai and Delhi have begun to make headlines, with their own take on glamor and retail – and more locations are vying to be able to call themselves a fashion capital. The Nevada desert may not be the first place you think of – and for online sports betting Las Vegas is where it’s at. But there are some very interesting fashion-related developments in the original Sin City. Could Vegas be making a move up in the world?
Sense of Freedom
Over the past few years there have been more designers moving out to Las Vegas – from both New York and Los Angeles – and the overriding reason given is the sense of freedom. One advantage of a place never having been recognized as a fashion destination is that there are no strict rules to adhere to.
In a way, Las Vegas is being regarded as the last frontier in the US. For decades it was seen as an over-the-top city with ties to the mob and only good for gambling. But this is a living, breathing city where many different areas of business are being developed. Why shouldn’t fashion be one of them?
Vegas is Changing
Obviously the main attraction of Las Vegas is that it is the home of the neon light and the grand casinos. But these are not your down-at-heel locations. The new Vegas casino hotel resorts are some of the most luxurious in the world and the guests expect a certain level of service.
They also want to be able to do what they do when they visit places like New York and Paris. For many, that includes a lot of retail therapy and related fashion activities. With everything in place for fashion brands to be noticed in a smaller market (in comparison to the traditional fashion capitals) Vegas is now seen as desirable.
Luxury Labels
Las Vegas is full of luxury brands. VIP lounges and parties are now a regular addition to the Las Vegas events calendar and luxury labels can be found just about everywhere. This was always a place where retail is king – but now there is a more definite move upward when it comes to fashion.
The top casino resorts all have their own luxury brand stores onsite and after-hours shopping and private shoppers can be found all over the city. Vegas has always been regarded as a place for the rich and glamorous – and now they want their fashion to be a part of the visit too.
Figure 2 More fashion shows are being held in Las Vegas
A City on the Rise
Although Las Vegas will always be known for its casinos, there is a lot more going on there these days. After years of being shunned by the pro sports leagues, there are now major league teams that call the city home. New arrivals are realizing the potential for Vegas to become one of the great cities in the country.
With more people moving to the city – and a wider array of businesses springing up – the place becomes an even bigger attraction for others. This self-fulfilling prophecy is definitely working for Las Vegas and changing its reputation. The anything goes policy can now be attributed to fashion too – and that is an attraction in itself.
What Needs to Happen Next?
The population of Las Vegas is now around five times what it was in 1970. It is one city where people are actively moving to in large numbers. That has also meant an increase in infrastructure that a potential fashion capital needs. More manufacturing hubs are needed, but there is definitely something brewing there.
More fashion studios and workspaces – as well as educational institutions – will provide Las Vegas with a fashion base that can then be built on further. More designers will see the place as a city of opportunity and we may find that, in the next five to ten years, Las Vegas is listed among the elite of the fashion world.