DRAPERS SHOW CALENDAR AUTUMN 18 A s we near the start of the autumn 18 buying calendar, the trade show debate rumbles on for another season. Are they outdated, unin- spiring and irrelevant? Or are they still the best one-stop-shop to connect with brands and network with the industry, while getting busi- ness done? For some, such as Bethany Rowntree, director of womenswear etailer Studio B, trade shows are no longer important. Rowntree does not see the need for them, and has discovered and con- nected with most of the brands she stocks via the internet: “I think trade shows seem a little outdated in both their aesthetic and agenda – I find them pretty generic and soulless.” She also feels exhibitions have lost their industry focus and “exclusivity”, and, by opening up to more people, have diluted their impact. For others, such as Kyle Stewart, co-founder of London independent Good- hood, trade shows “will never be dead”. Stewart argues that hunting for gems at multi- ple international events is still vital to his buying strat- egy, and, even if Goodhood only discovers one new brand a season, trade shows are still worthwhile: “We’re product people – we need to see the product. We need to get out there and go through every single rail.” The reality is different for each brand, buyer and busi- ness. While the days of blockbuster events such as Berlin’s Bread & Butter in its heyday are over, trade shows – whether they be large or small – remain a vital part of the industry, and a missed opportunity for those who totally dismiss them. They offer a place for both established brands and, more importantly, newer labels to showcase their collections in a central, convenient location. There is also no better place to understand the product direction of a new season than browsing a trade show’s aisles, whether it be for order writing or simply research. And it is almost impossible to find another occasion where so many industry insiders, from brands through to buying teams, come together in one place, offering endless networking opportunities. Events such as Pitti Uomo are a shining example of this. The city of Florence is taken over by the menswear industry twice a year (see the sold-out flights and booked-up hotels for proof), as the entire market – from luxury tailoring through to sportswear names, and global megabrands to artisanal newcomers – descend on one location. The most important thing nowadays is quality. As Goodhood’s Stewart says: “Trade shows are relevant through the curation of the brands that are showing at them. If the brands aren’t good, then the trade show is not good.” Trade shows need to maintain a curated offering to make any visit worth- while. Some would benefit from editing, and focusing on quality over quantity. And the shows themselves need to remain fresh, whether it be through new concepts or simply reor- ganising layouts to keep both exhibitors and visitors engaged. Copenhagen’s CIFF, which continues to reinvent itself with new formats, layouts and offer- ings, is an example of a show that does this well. Here you will find more views and opinions on trade shows, plus a list of the key dates to know for the coming buying season. I hope to see you there. Graeme Moran Drapers head of content – fashion and features There is no better place to understand a new season than in a trade show’s aisles 6-8 JANUARY London Fashion Week Men’s Store Studios, 180 Strand, London 020 7759 1999 londonfashionweekmens.com Menswear 7-9 JANUARY Children’s Club Javits Center, New York +1 218 740 6873 ubmfashion.com Kidswear Fame Javits Center, New York +1 218 740 6873 ubmfashion.com Womenswear 9-12 JANUARY Pitti Immagine Uomo Fortezza da Basso, Florence +39 055 36931 pittimmagine.com Menswear, footwear 10-11 JANUARY The London Textile Fair Business Design Centre, London 020 8347 8145 thelondontextilefair.co.uk Textiles, accessories, prints, vintage 13-15 JANUARY White Via Tortona, Milan +39 02 3459 2785 whiteshow.it Menswear, womenswear 13-16 JANUARY Expo Riva Schuh Riva del Garda Fierecongressi, Trentino +39 0464 570 153 exporivaschuh.it Footwear THE SEASON STARTS JW Anderson at Pitti Uomo London Fashion Week Men’s Drapers brings you the definitive guide to the autumn 18 buying season, the shows to know and who is going where
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DRAPERS SHOW CALENDAR AUTUMN 18
As we near the start of the autumn 18 buying calendar, the trade show debate rumbles on for another season. Are they outdated, unin-spiring and irrelevant? Or are they still the best one-stop-shop to connect with brands
and network with the industry, while getting busi-ness done?
For some, such as Bethany Rowntree, director of womenswear etailer Studio B, trade shows are no longer important.
Rowntree does not see the need for them, and has discovered and con-nected with most of the brands she stocks via the internet: “I think trade shows seem a little outdated in both their aesthetic and agenda – I find
them pretty generic and soulless.” She also feels exhibitions have lost their industry focus and
“exclusivity”, and, by opening up to more people,
have diluted their impact.For others, such as Kyle
Stewart, co-founder of London independent Good-hood, trade shows “will never be dead”.
Stewart argues that hunting for gems at multi-
ple international events is still vital to his buying strat-egy, and, even if Goodhood only discovers one new
brand a season, trade shows are still worthwhile: “We’re product people – we need to see the product. We need to get out there and go through every single rail.”
The reality is different for each brand, buyer and busi-
ness. While the days of blockbuster events such as Berlin’s Bread &
Butter in its heyday are over, trade shows – whether they be large or small – remain a vital part of the industry, and a missed opportunity for those who totally dismiss them.
They offer a place for both established brands and, more importantly, newer labels to showcase their collections in a central, convenient location.
There is also no better place to understand the product direction of a new season than browsing a trade show’s aisles, whether it be for order writing
or simply research.And it is almost impossible to
find another occasion where so many industry insiders, from brands through to buying teams, come together in one place, offering endless networking opportunities.
Events such as Pitti Uomo are a shining example of this. The city of Florence is taken over by the menswear industry twice a year (see the sold-out flights and booked-up
hotels for proof), as the entire market – from luxury tailoring through to sportswear names, and global megabrands to artisanal newcomers – descend on one location.
The most important thing nowadays is quality.As Goodhood’s Stewart says: “Trade shows are
relevant through the curation of the brands that are showing at them. If the brands aren’t good, then the trade show is not good.” Trade shows need to maintain a curated offering to make any visit worth-while. Some would benefit from editing, and focusing on quality over quantity.
And the shows themselves need to remain fresh, whether it be through new concepts or simply reor-ganising layouts to keep both exhibitors and visitors engaged. Copenhagen’s CIFF, which continues to reinvent itself with new formats, layouts and offer-ings, is an example of a show that does this well.
Here you will find more views and opinions on trade shows, plus a list of the key dates to know for the coming buying season.
I hope to see you there.
Graeme MoranDrapers head of content –
fashion and features
There is no better place to understand a
new season than in a trade
show’s aisles
6-8 JANUARY London Fashion Week Men’sStore Studios, 180 Strand, London020 7759 1999londonfashionweekmens.comMenswear
7-9 JANUARYChildren’s ClubJavits Center, New York +1 218 740 6873ubmfashion.com Kidswear
FameJavits Center, New York +1 218 740 6873ubmfashion.com Womenswear
9-12 JANUARYPitti Immagine UomoFortezza da Basso, Florence+39 055 36931pittimmagine.comMenswear, footwear
10-11 JANUARY The London Textile FairBusiness Design Centre, London 020 8347 8145 thelondontextilefair.co.uk Textiles, accessories, prints, vintage
HAZEL CATTERALL HEAD OF WOMENSWEAR, HARVEY NICHOLS
We will be visiting the London Fashion Week Designer Showrooms, Scoop, CIFF in Copenhagen, Coterie in New York, and Tranoï and Who’s Next in Paris. We’ll also go to Splash and Salon in Paris for lingerie and swimwear.
We go to these to get a good snapshot of newer and up-and-coming brands. With the exception of lingerie and swimwear shows, we rarely place orders at shows – they are purely for research.
We don’t plan to stop going. Trade shows are a good place to start conversations and build relationships with smaller brands – it’s why international shows are still important.
I will be visiting Pitti Uomo in Florence, both Man and Capsule in Paris, and Jacket Required in London.
I go to these shows to try to get some of my ordering done with certain brands. You never know when something new will be showcased, and it helps to save time back in the UK during buying season.
Trade shows still matter, as it’s important to network and in general see fashion in one huge place. A lot can be learnt from this.
11-12 FEBRUARYINDX KidswearCranmore Park, Solihull 0121 683 1415 indxshow.co.uk/kidswear Kidswear 11-12 FEBRUARYLondon EdgeBusiness Design Centre, London 0116 279 5179 londonedge.com Streetwear
11-14 FEBRUARYApparel Sourcing ParisLe Bourget Exhibition Centre, Paris +33 155 268 989apparelsourcing.fr.messefrankfurt.com Apparel, textiles, accessories
Avantex Le Bourget Exhibition Centre, Paris +33 155 268 989avantex-paris.com Apparel, textiles, accessories
Shawls & Scarves Paris – the accessories showcase Le Bourget Exhibition Centre, Paris +33 155 268 989shawlsandscarves.fr.messefrankfurt.com Apparel, textiles, accessories
Texworld and Texworld DenimLe Bourget Exhibition Centre, Paris +33 155 268 989texworld.fr.messefrankfurt.com Textiles
11-14 FEBRUARYMicamFiera Milano, Milan +39 0243 8291 www.themicam.com Footwear, accessories
MipelFiera Milano, Milan +39 0062 5813mipel.comFootwear, accessories
11-14 FEBRUARYSourcing at MagicLas Vegas Convention Center +1 218 740 6873 ubmfashion.com Womenswear, menswear, textiles
12-14 FEBRUARYCapsule Las Vegas Men’s and Women’s Sands Expo Center, Hall B, Las Vegas+1 212 473 4523capsuleshow.comMenswear, womenswear
Liberty Las VegasSands Expo, Las Vegas+1 212 473 4523libertyfairs.comMenswear
12-14 FEBRUARYOn Point Las Vegas (formerly WSA@Magic)Las Vegas Convention Center +1 218 740 6873 ubmfashion.com Footwear
PoolMandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas +1 218 740 6873 ubmfashion.com Menswear, womenswear, accessories
Project Las Vegas Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas +1 218 740 6873 ubmfashion.com Menswear, womenswear
I will go to Seek and Premium in Berlin; Man, Woman and Who’s Next in Paris; Mode Fabriek in Amsterdam; Pitti Uomo in Florence; Scoop and Pure in London; and Revolver and CIFF in Copenhagen.
We go to these shows as we’re always looking for new brands, and sometimes we buy from trade shows instead of showrooms. We also like to view the full collections, and can compare brands more easily in a short space of time.
I’d like to go back to the US trade shows, in New York and Los Angeles, but the dollar makes it impossible at the minute. Trade shows are definitely worth visiting still, but I would like to see more variety and local talent rather than the same big players.
12-14 FEBRUARYLiberty Las Vegas Sands Expo, Venetian, Las Vegas +1 212 473 4523 libertyfairs.com Menswear
13-15 FEBRUARYPremière Vision Paris Parc des Expositions, Paris +33 4 72 60 65 55premierevision.com Yarns, fibres and textiles
This season we will do Tranoï in Paris, and Scoop, Pure and London Fashion Week Designer Showrooms In London. We like to offer a selection of price ranges, so by visiting a good mix we can find these. I would also like to visit the Copenhagen shows, and I will do Tranoï New York soon.
I went through a stage of feeling that trade shows were the same things over and over, and quite uninspiring. I found it easier to discover something more unique and fresh on Instagram.
Recently I have noticed great smaller independent brands at shows such as Scoop. It’s important to visit to keep on track with them.
I like the buzz at trade shows. They enable brands to make a personal impact on the buyer, and I get excited to find the next new thing.
Fashion Access, Hong Kong
26 FEBRUARY – 6 MARCH Paris Fashion WeekVenues across the city+33 1 42 66 64 44 fhcm.parisWomenswear 1-4 MARCH Paris sur Mode Tuileries Place de la Concorde, Paris +33 1 40 13 74 70parissurmode.com Womenswear
Premiere Classe Tuileries Jardin des Tuileries, Paris +33 1 40 13 74 74premiere-classe.comAccessories
2-4 MARCHWoman ParisPavilion Vendôme, Paris manwomanshows.com Womenswear
2-5 MARCH Tranoï Paris: Women’sCarrousel du Louvre and Palais de la Bourse +33 1 53 01 84 90tranoi.com Womenswear
7-9 MARCH Première Vision Istanbul Istanbul Congress Center+33 4 72 60 65 55premierevision-istanbul.com Yarns, fibres and textiles
11-12 MARCHStockXChange by Off-Price ILEC Conference Centre, London020 8771 3555offpriceshow.co.ukWomenswear, menswear, kidswear, lingerie, footwear, accessories
11-13 MARCH Gallery ShoesAreal Böhler, Düsseldorf +49 211 4396 318gallery-shoes.comFootwear and accessories
13-15 MARCH SpinExpo 31st Session ShanghaiShanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center020 3417 4939spinexpo.com Fibres, yarns, knitwear 14-15 MARCH Textile Forum One Marylebone, London 07878 764645 textileforum.org.uk Textiles
14-16 MARCH Fashion Access, Hong Kong Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre +852 2827 6211www.fashionaccess.aplf.com/en-us/Accessories, footwear
14-16 MARCH Intertextile Shanghai National Exhibition and Convention Center, Shanghai +852 2802 7728 intertextile-shanghai-apparel-fabrics-spring.hk.messefrankfurt.com Textiles
20-21 MARCH London Print Design FairBusiness Design Centre, London 020 8347 8145 thelondonprintdesignfair.co.uk Print design, knits, vintage
Texfusion – the London World Textile FairBusiness Design Centre, London 020 8347 8145 texfusion.co.uk Textiles, accessories, denim, garments
28-29 MARCHMade in France Première VisionLe Carreau du Temple, Paris+33 1 70 60 73 70salonmadeinfrance.comClothing, textiles, finishing, manufacturing
4-7 APRIL AymodCNR Expo, Istanbul +90 212 465 7474 cnraymod.com Footwear
10-11 APRILPremière Vision New York Designs Metropolitan Pavilion, New York+33 4 72 60 65 55premierevision-newyork.com Design studios, textiles, prints, knits
STAVROS KARELIS FOUNDER AND BUYING DIRECTOR, MACHINE-A
What is important to us as a store is to always visit trade shows that have enough emerging designers represented. They are the best way to learn about the local talents, as well as international guest designers.
One of the main shows we are focusing on right now is CIFF in Copenhagen. I visited it for the first time last August, and I can tell how interesting and important a job the creative director Kristian Andersen is doing with his team. CIFF has a perfect balance between local emerging designers, but also invites many British and international designers to showcase there. It is very well organised, and very much up to date with what is current and cool. There are beautiful spaces and installations where we can see the collections, meet the designers and place orders.
In the past we have visited Pitti Uomo, Seoul Fashion Week and Shanghai Fashion Week as well as CIFF.
Trade shows are a great platform to not only learn about the local talent but also to see how each city interacts with fashion.
For us, they are still important. They are a great
way to discover emerging designers
and get to know the
environment where they function, and see
how a store such as ours can help in promoting
and supporting these new names on an
international level.
Première Vision
8-9 AUGUSTThe Print and Design Fair – New York EditionStudio Arte, New York020 8347 8145thelondonprintdesignfair.co.ukPrint design, embroidery, knits, garments
SEPTEMBERInterfilière New YorkThe Tunnel, New York+1 212 993 4298eurovet.comTextiles
OCTOBERInterfilière ShanghaiShanghai Exhibition Center, Shanghai+33 1 47 56 32 74eurovet.comTextiles
DATES TO BE ANNOUNCEDThe Stitching, Sewing, and Hobbycrafts ShowEventcity, Manchester01425 272711stitchandhobby.co.uk Textiles