At the recent staging of the Igedo Fashion Fairs Düsseldorf - consisting of the four fashion trade fairs CPD Düsseldorf (women’s fashion), HMD Düsseldorf (menswear), Body Look (body, beach and legwear) and Global Fashion (sourcing) – approximately 33,500 specialist buyers from 59 countries took part to view the Autumn/Winter 2008/2009 collection presented by 2,150 exhibitors. The number of visitors at the February 2008 trade fair increased by 10% compared to the results of last years’ event. In addition, 9,500 visitors came to the Düsseldorf Fashion House and an estimated 20,000 visitors attended the various showrooms around the city of Düsseldorf, Germany.

The exhibitors were especially pleased with the quality of the visitors: almost one in three buyers came to the Igedo Fashion Fairs from outside of Germany - an increase of 3%. The number of buyers from specialist retail rose by 5% to 57% and the key countries of origin were the Benelux, Austria and Switzerland as well as Spain, France and Russia.

“Despite the relatively late date and the conflict with the Copenhagen fairs, Düsseldorf and the Igedo Fashion Fairs have brilliantly demonstrated that they are and remain the first choice for the German and central European market,“ commented Frank Hartmann, Managing Director of the Igedo Company. “The mood was very good almost everywhere in the halls of the trade fair and in some places it was virtually euphoric. With the Igedo Fashion Fairs we offer the solid work platform manufacturers and retailers demand."

Response from representatives of the retail trade was equally positive: “The trade fair location of Düsseldorf is indispensable. This is where the relevant decisions are made and where money is spent. I find everything to support my designer collections here in Düsseldorf. The Düsseldorf-Milan combination is ideal for our business," said Markus Brüning, Managing Director of Hasardeur.

CPD
  CPD has impressively emphasized its significance as a driving force for the fashion business in Düsseldorf and was again a strong information and order platform. A total of 1,415 exhibitors and collections, including 88 newcomers, were present. Young designers like Andy Thê Anh from Canada, Cyrille Gassiline from Russia, Yasemin Akat from Turkey and Mayer from Germany created new highlights with their signature styles.

“Sunday was incredible. We are very satisfied with the trade fair,“ remarked Ralf Schmitz from Bandolera. New exhibitor Marcus Meyer from GEOX agreed: “Our first appearance at the trade fair was very, very positive. Visitor numbers and quality were very good. All key customers visited our stand.“ Dorthe Barup from the Danish label Noa Noa added: “This is our first time at CPD and we are delighted. For us the trade fair is a must for approaching new international customers and to further extend our market presence in Germany.“

The “Concept 11“ segment in Hall 11 and the Fashion Gallery with its new section the “Inner Circle“ convinced visitors. Düsseldorf designer Alexandra Schiess excelled with her show: “I think the Inner Circle segment is very well done. My customers like the open and inviting atmosphere. In surroundings like these you feel relaxed and can work well.“

HMD

HMD – Herrenmode Düsseldorf has developed into a high-performing platform for the export business. 48% of the visitors came to HMD from outside of Germany. In addition to many visitors from Russia, customers from other European countries were also present to place their orders and 86% of exhibitors rated the quality of the buyers as good to very good.

“Foreign business went very well for us,“ explained Christoph Satter from Ahorn Sportswear. “We have acquired new customers from Spain, Ireland, Scandinavia and the Netherlands. Supersize wear is specifically sought and found at HMD. Demand is visibly growing."

HMD remains Germany’s only international menswear trade fair and 105 exhibitors and collections presented a convincing range particularly in the pants, knitwear and accessories/separates segments.

Body Look

 230 exhibitors and brands presented their latest collections at Body Look, Internatio­nal Trade Fair for Body, Beach and Legwear. “Body Look is a very good trade fair for our German business,“ commented Manuel Torres from the Portuguese label Intimus. “For us the last few trade fairs have gotten better and better."

“Many of the manufacturers absent this time have already registered to participate in summer,“ explained Project Director Sabine Schommer. “And of those exhibitors who took part in this Body Look staging, 89% plan to return.“

The proportion of international dealers rose by 8% to 25% compared to last year’s event. Underwear and lingerie specialist retail stores accounted for 41% of the visitors (last year: 35%) and specialist retail clothing stores accounted for 30% (last year: 26%). About 50% (last year: 41%) of the attendees were Managing Directors, Board Members and Owners. Consequently, 87% of the exhibitors rated the quality of visitors as good to very good.

“We intend to make information and innovation an even stronger focus of Body Look in order to inspire retail and give it the necessary resources to strengthen its own profile. With this trade fair we have taken a key step in this direction and will continue to refine this concept at the July event,“ stated Frank Hartmann.

Global Fashion

“Exhibitors at Global Fashion are very satisfied with the number and quality of visitors and with the hall design,“ said Sabine Schommer, Project Director of Global Fashion - the Special Trade Fair for Contracting, Sourcing and Private Label Production. Buyers from key German and foreign textile chains attended the trade fair and exhibitors noted increased visitor numbers compared to previous events. Surveys showed that compared to the February 2007 trade fair, the proportion of foreign visitors at Global Fashion 2008 rose by 10% to a total of 63%. The approximately 400 exhibitors from 13 nations rated their business perspectives as very positive: 83% of them reported very good to good results and 89% gave Global Fashion very good to good marks. 81% plan to participate in the trade fair again in the future.

Mohsin Farishta, owner of the jeans manufacturing firm Noor Garments from Pakistan, and Puneet Ahuja, owner of the major Indian accessories supplier Ahujasons Shawlwale, summarized their experience: “We also looked at similar events such as the one in Paris. Although for us, Global Fashion is and remains the platform in Europe.

The next Igedo Fashion Fairs Düsseldorf will be held from July 27 – 29, 2008. 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 www.mdna.com or www.igedo.com, www.cpd.de, www.herrenmode-duesseldorf.de, www.body-look.de.