Trunk show

A trunk show is an event in which vendors present merchandise directly to store personnel or customers at a retail location or another venue such as a hotel room. In many cases it allows store personnel to preview and/or purchase merchandise before it is made available to the public. Typically, clients view the merchandise, place orders, and then wait for the vendor to manufacture and deliver the goods. If the merchandise has a designer, the vendor may choose to have the designer present at the event to add to the customers' experience. Prototypes, samples, remnants and leftover items from runway shows are also sometimes offered at trunk shows. Trunk shows may be open to the general public and advertised in the mass media or may be confined to special customers or those on a mailing list.

The term is derived from the common practice of merchandise being transported to these events in trunks.

Bridal industry

Trunk shows are particularly popular in the bridal industry, in which January through May is trunk show season. At trunk shows, brides can view a larger selection of a bridal designer's collection than is normally carried in a bridal salon.