Tradeshows Apparel Sourcing Paris and Shawls&Scarves, organised by Messe Frankfurt, were held from September 16-19 at Le Bourget, Paris. Nearly 648 exhibitors with 17 different nationalities took part in this season’s shows. Apparel Sourcing Paris assembles international clothing producers, where as Shawls&Scarves Paris hosts designers of accessories that cover shoulders and heads. Apparel Sourcing Paris and Shawls&Scarves Paris showcase a very diverse range of skills and expertise, making it an indispensable event for buyers of finished products. The atmosphere remains unwaveringly oriented towards business; yet there are nevertheless more creative areas to be found, as designed by the artistic directors of the tradefairs, who highlighted a selection of outfits and accessories. In order to make the visitors’ itinerary easier, this year the organisers also reviewed how the exhibition space was segmented. The categories used to classify the areas of expertise for fashion clothing were welcomed by visitors. They covered knitwear, dressmaking, bespoke tailoring, sportswear, evening wear, outerwear, made-to-measure, lingerie and swimwear, workwear and textile accessories. This year, visitors also showed a considerable interest in women’s clothing, knits and sportswear, a segment that is very much on trend. “We met up with a wide range of customers and plenty of opportunities arose,” said Yung, an assistant at Meisiya Garment (Dalian), a manufacturer of clothing made of technical textiles. “Many firms that are regular attendees at our shows for clothing production achieved excellent results and made some high-calibre contacts among our visitors. This is what I was told by representatives from Myanmar, Ethiopia and China, who I am following closely. I am also observing the development of the small quantities circuit, in particular on behalf of our Chinese associates, over one hundred of whom are now offering this. I am glad to see that our exhibitors are just as capable of responding to demands from the industry as well as from couture,” said Michael Scherpe, president of Messe Frankfurt France. Contractors are always searching for fresh ideas for their ever increasing numbers of collections and they have less and less time to find suppliers, whatever volumes they require. “The market changes very rapidly. As a designer, I find it interesting to be able to go to a trade fair where I see a very, very varied offer in such a short time. I’m looking for manufacturers, for materials and so on. There’s a huge variety here. I don’t always go to the same suppliers; that’s what I find interesting, having so much choice! I’ve found lots of new suppliers too, with very specific techniques. I’ve also noticed that there are more and more exhibitors who will accept orders for small quantities requiring slightly more unusual work, products that are a little bit more special. Exactly what I’m looking for!” said Christophe Guillarmé, a fashion designer based in Paris. Like last year, China demonstrated its growing interest in the European market with displays by 15 Chinese fashion labels in a dedicated exhibition space. Something else that aroused interest at this season’s show was the collaboration between the Haute Ecole des Arts du Rhin and Chinese clothing manufacturers in a presentation of French creative skills and sophisticated design from traditional Chinese firms. Finally, the new hall 2 agora, which is situated between Apparel Sourcing Paris and Leatherworld Paris, was the backdrop for demonstrating the immense clothing expertise of professionals from the sector, focussing on two main themes: ‘Vast potential for corporate clothing and workwear’ and ‘Funding, support and development for fashion labels’, which can be seen on Messe Frankfurt France’s Vimeo showcase. In addition, the catwalk area once again served to present international design with many catwalk shows from individual countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Ethiopia, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Sri Lanka. Apparel Sourcing Paris, complemented by Shawls&Scarves Paris, remains the epicentre of the European fashion industry. The next Apparel Sourcing Paris and Shawls&Scarves Paris will be held from February 10-13, 2020 in Paris, Le Bourget.
