From July 22 – 24, 2007, 1,770 exhibitors from 51 countries will show more than 2,300 collections and designs from around the globe at the Igedo Fashion Fairs Düsseldorf in Germany. One year after the organizer, the Igedo Company, responded to the changing needs of the market with the introduction of the Igedo Fashion Fairs, the concept has established itself. The Igedo Fashion Fairs Düsseldorf consist of CPD Düsseldorf (womenswear), HMD Düsseldorf (menswear), Body Look (body-, beach- and legwear) and Global Fashion (contract production, procurement, private label production) and will present the fashion trends for Spring/Summer 2008.

"The Igedo Fashion Fairs have again gained momentum. Our concept of organizing four trade fairs concurrently in one location is very well received by the industry. Exhibitors and visitors are looking to Düsseldorf with great interest. The international assortment of womenswear, for example, is larger than at any other trade fair," explained Frank Hartmann, Managing Director of the Igedo company.

The economic upswing plays an increasingly important role in retail and industry. "Slowly but surely, optimism is returning to the exhibition halls," commented Frank Hartmann. The economy and private consumption are gaining momentum again, while unemployment figures are sinking—a situation from which the fashion industry will also increasingly profit.

The developments at other trade fair locations for the industry, however, repeatedly gave cause to doubt the strength of fashion trade fairs. "The fragmentation into partial segments and then dispersion of these across the country is a dead end, as the cancellation of trade fairs in various locations has clearly shown," remarked Frank Hartmann. "The strength of a fashion trade fair is created when everyone participates. The Igedo Company has implemented numerous conceptual changes in the past seasons. Contrary to other fashion trade fairs, it's a fact that we are the only constant in the German fashion trade fair market. With more than 2,300 international collections, we remain among the world's predominant fashion trade fairs. Permanent change is hereby a prerequisite in order to satisfy the dynamics of the market."

Synergies are crucial in the Düsseldorf approach. Buyers increasingly make use of the existing synergies between the four independent trade fairs of the Igedo Fashion Fairs. CPD buyers visit Body Look and HMD and vice versa. Especially full-assortment buyers get a distinct benefit from this compact, comprehensive overview in one location. "The buyers' time and budgets are very limited in the already extremely short ordering phase. The wish for a compact information and order platform that covers all segments is stronger than ever today. We will continue along this path," stated Frank Hartmann.

The comprehensive ancillary program of the Igedo Fashion Fairs Düsseldorf will consist of designer parades, trend shows, awards, informational events and parties. More than 50 shows and events will take place in the Fashion Theatre, on the Body Look Show Stage, at the Catwalk Café (Fashion Gallery) and at the new Igedo Fashion Forum as well as in other locations at the fairgrounds and in the city of Düsseldorf. With the exception of the Order Information event, admission to all fashion shows, lectures and trend seminars is free of charge for all Igedo Fashion Fairs visitors. Parties will include the Vogue Cocktail, the Bunte New Faces Award and the PETRA Fashion Award.

In cooperation with the Düsseldorf Fashion & Design Academy AMD and “karriere” magazine, the Igedo Company will present the "Design am Rhein" Award on July 22 at 3:00 pm on the large catwalk at the Fashion Gallery in Hall 14. The VIP jury will consist of representatives from Joop, Heimat, ELA, the trade magazine TextilWirtschaft and star choreographer Bruce Darnell.

The Canon ProFashional Photo Award 2007 will be awarded on July 23 on the large show stage in the Fashion Theatre in Hall 12. As part of their collaboration, Canon and the Igedo Company will present the probably largest fashion photo in the world.

For further information on visiting or exhibiting at the Igedo Fashion Fairs Düsseldorf, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, 150 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 2920, Chicago, IL 60601. Telephone: (312) 781-5180; Fax: (312) 781-5188; E-mail: info@mdna.com. Or visit the web site http://www.mdna.com or www.igedo.com, www.cpd.de, www.herrenmode-duesseldorf.de, www.body-look.de.

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