ANE’s Luxury Booth A Hit With Manufacturers

Pictured: Fun Toys debuted the G-Vibe at ANE’s Luxury Boutique LAS VEGAS—Some of the industry’s top brands showcased their wares in a new fashion during the AVN Novelty Expo, as they participated in the first-ever Luxury Boutique, which was sponsored by Je Joue. “The Luxury Boutique has been fabulous,” said Pamela Luu, director of sales for OhMiBod. “It’s giving buyers a chance to see us all at once. If the buyers are looking for toys they are obviously coming to this side of the pavilion, and they are finding some of the best right here,” she added, referring to the fact that ANE co-located with the International Lingerie Show at the Rio Hotel and Casino. Papaya Toys also participated in the Luxury Booth, in order to show off their award-winning line of vibrators and their newest product, the Papaya Ice. The Papaya Ice features a crooked neck for optimal G-spot stimulation, but the head of the dildo contains a removable crystalline pearl that provides unique stimulation. “With the soft texture of our silicone and the quality of the vibrators and dildo, it only made sense we wanted to participate in the Luxury Boutique,” said Pamela McKee, aka Papaya Pam. Shiri Zinn was one of the manufacturers who traveled overseas to attend ANE and participate in the Luxury Boutique, where she debuted her new Cupcake vibrator. “I invented designer sex toys and when I came out with my first toy it was mad,” she said. “Now with the Cupcake it’s just madder.” The Cupcake, which Zinn said took two years to design, is perfect to her standards, down to the drips on the pink icing, the round cherry on top and the white dots on the red base. “It’s got only one switch and five pulsation patterns,” Zinn said, adding the silicone vibrator comes in a retro baking tin with a retro swing tag with the information, and operates on two AAA batteries. “I didn’t want to make it rechargeable because I wanted to keep the price point good,” she said.  The Cupcake, which arrives at the end of October, will retail for under $60. Fleshlight was on hand to promote their newest Fleshlight Girl, Jessica Drake, who also made an appearance during the show. Sonja and Rebecca, who work in the wholesale division of the company, noted that the popular Blade and Sword Fleshlights, which have a softer case to allow users to apply pressure, are now available to wholesale customers. Mara Epstein of Maia Toys noted that the response of the company’s debut in the Luxury Boutique at ANE had been “really good.” “I think the setup of the Luxury Boutique really shows off those of us here, and it really gives a look that draws buyers in,” she said. “And with our new line, the colors really pop and catch people’s attention, and bringing them to the booth.” Maia toys use bright, specific colors as a form of color therapy to connect with consumers. “People realize what an impact color has on other areas of their life, so why shouldn’t it have an impact on your sex life too?” she said. Fun Toys also chose ANE’s Luxury Boutique to introduce buyers to their G-Vibe, a new toy that sets itself apart by having two ears that extend from the base of the vibe and slightly curve outward. “When both pieces are inserted, they spread apart and provide very focused G-spot stimulation,” explained company representative Jack. In addition to the unique design of the vibe, Fun Toys also has unique packaging that allows the box and/or the product to be displayed in a number of ways. The packaging has already been recognized with an award nomination in Europe as being some of the best available now. Spartacus Leathers, which is celebrating more than 25 years in business, attended ANE’s Luxury Boutique to show off new packaging and a few new items. “WE have been really rebranding, and making the packaging more gender neutral and clean,” said company rep Wes. “Like the nipple clamps: We don’t have a half-naked woman on the packaging anymore because, hey, everyone has nipples.” Spartacus also launched its Kink Kit, which will be available for order next week, Wes said. The kit features beginner’s items—including a two-sided blindfold and three-slap slapper—that are not available individually.  Additionally, the box doubles as storage or a travel kit for the premium items, Wes said. Intimate Furniture owner Jerry E. noted that the Luxury Boutique was the perfect way for him to give buyers an idea of how to display and sell his items. Several of the company’s Tantra Lounge pieces were placed throughout the lobby area of the Luxury Boutique for buyers and other attendees to relax and try out. “Sex furniture pieces are luxury items for consumers, so it only made sense for us to participate in the Luxury Boutique during ANE,” he said. “With the space and the layout to show how the pieces work and how they fit together for use and storage made for a great opportunity for us.” Plaisirs Secrets is another company that traveled overseas to attend ANE and display their popular items in the space. Among their most popular items, explained company rep Christian, is the remote control egg, which is wireless and boasts 10 levels of vibration and pulsation. “The remote is very discreet,” Christian explained. “It’s designed to look like a iPod, so you can take it out to dinner and leave it on the table and no one knows.” Also big are the Surprise boxes, which do not list the items inside, and are themed for holidays, couples and even bridal. “It’s nice for people who are shy about buying a sex toys for themselves or another person,” Christian said. “They don’t know what’s inside, so when the box is opened it’s a surprise to them too.” Booty Parlor rounded out the Luxury Boutique, utilizing a corner space to create the perfect display that stores can use to showcase their skin and body care products. “This was a great opportunity for us to create a great visual display for the buyers,” said company representative Shane. “The reception we have received from buyers and attendees has been great, and we have seen a lot of good traffic coming to the show.” And AVN Novelty Expo, which co-located this year with the International Lingerie Show, continues its three-day run today at the Rio Hotel and Casino. For more information, visit NoveltyExpo.com.