Despite high energy prices, consumer uncertainty and the overall tense situation in the European clothing industry, 29,700 trade visitors attended the recent staging of the Igedo Fashion Fairs Düsseldorf in Germany (and an additional 8,700 attendees came to see the collections in the Düsseldorf fashion house). A total of 1,750 exhibitors and collections presented their Spring/Summer 2009 fashions at the Igedo Fashion Fairs Düsseldorf, consisting of the four trade fairs CPD (Womenswear), Body Look (Body, Beach and Legwear), HMD (Menswear) and Global Fashion (Private Label, Sourcing). 30% of the trade visitors came from outside of Germany, with the majority arriving from the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and Russia. Overall, the visitors represented 60 nations. Two thirds of the visitors were from specialist clothing retail stores and boutiques and almost 90% were trade buyers. Two thirds of the trade buyers came specifically to place orders. The trade buyers reserved 37% of their budget for new brands. 80% of the trade visitors were pleased with their participation in the Igedo Fashion Fairs Düsseldorf.

“We had a very exciting trade fair weekend,” commented Frank Hartmann, Managing Director of the Igedo Company.“The mood among retailers, the economic climate, the hot and humid weather and the announced air traffic strikes were cause for concern. Given these conditions, we are now very satisfied with the results of the trade fair. We welcomed 20% new visitors, the mood in the halls was largely positive, especially at Body Look with its new concept, and most of the areas at CPD were able to score points. Our market research confirmed that visitors look for new brands at the exhibition center, while the showrooms are visited primarily by regular customers. We want to build on this knowledge. The Igedo Fashion Fairs are and remain the focus and central meeting point for Düsseldorf’s fashion business. This benefits the entire city with its over 800 showrooms.”

At CPD, 1,060 exhibitors and collections showed fashion for the Spring/Summer 2009 season. The approximately 100 new exhibitors included Expresso, MDC Sportswear, Lanius, Peppercorn, Oxmo and Remei. Visitor numbers in the halls and at the stands were very good. “We are very satisfied with the way the trade fair went despite the difficult climate in the textile retail trade,” remarked Gloria Göllmann from Sandwich. Together with brands such as Noa Noa, Nile Sportswear and Rimini, the Sandwich label presented a fresh fashion mix in “Concept 11”. Almost 20% of the visitors were interested in the high priced segment on display in The Fashion Gallery at CPD.

With about 260 exhibitors and collections, Body Look - Germany’s only international trade fair for body, beach and legwear - was presented in a fresh, new look. The concept changes and the trade fair’s closer proximity to the main entrance were successful. “Sunday was great,” noted Jens Ehrhardt, Managing Director at Adolf Riedl GmbH & Co. KG. “We very much liked the busy atmosphere in the aisles and the positive mood. This shows that the sector wants to pull together. By moving into the new hall we have already been able to win new customers. Feed-back on our own fashion show was also great. We are very satisfied all round.”

85% of the Body Look exhibitors were satisfied to very satisfied with the specialist competence of the trade visitors, which included representatives from many major stores such as Lady M Berlin, Carsch-Haus Düsseldorf, Karstadt Munich, Alsterhaus Hamburg, Kadewe Berlin and Franziska Krines Munich. As a result, almost two thirds of the exhibitors rated the business success as good to very good and about 90% intend to participate again in February 2009.

“The new concept has significantly contributed to Body Look being well received by both the industry and the retail trade,” explained Kirstin Deutelmoser, Project Director of Body Look. “Our many conversations have shown that we have now created a new basis for Body Look that is accepted by trade and industry. The task now lying ahead is to consistently pursue this approach and develop the importance of Body Look.”

The focus at HMD is on successful export business. Particularly visitors from Eastern Europe were attending this trade fair where 100 exhibitors showcased the latest in pants, knitwear and large size fashion. “HMD started well. Our key export customers came to our stand. We were also able to get several good new customer contacts,” said Peter Schönbach of Mode Monte Carlo. Peter van Waadji, Managing Director at Yongo, added: ”We wished for more buyers from Germany but in the export segment things went very well. All our key foreign buyers were here.

“With HMD we have been offering menswear a conclusive concept for five seasons now,” pointed out Frank Hartmann. “Menswear is perfectly catered to as part of the Igedo Fashion Fairs Düsseldorf. But a menswear trade fair can only be successful for all involved if the manufacturing side also does its part. Retail in particular, as well as exhibiting firms, demand greater commitment here from the industry.”

“The new segment Global Exclusive at the Global Fashion trade fair was very well received by exhibitors and visitors alike and will be further developed in the future. These exhibitors with their high-quality ranges and low minimum orders brought a further improvement in visitor quality. Overall the trade fair was well attended and many exhibitors were pleased with their contacts and results,” noted Sabine Schommer, Project Manager of HMD. Visitors at Global Fashion rated the increased participation of exhibitors from Belarus, Syria and other nations (+43%) as very positive.

The next Igedo Fashion Fairs Düsseldorf will be held from February 1 - 3, 2009. For further information on visiting or exhibiting at the event, 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 or www.body-look.de.