P R E S S R E L E A S E Optimism returns to the Igedo Fashion Fairs + CPD Fashion Gallery and Concept 11 make a statement + HMD established as an export platform for menswear + Body Look continues to gain momentum + Global Fashion exhibitors came perfectly prepared + New WEARe Düsseldorf exhibition project presented Optimism is returning. On Tuesday the Igedo Fashion Fairs Düsseldorf (22 to 24 July 2007) drew to a close with predominantly satisfied faces. According to preliminary projections, almost 42,600 international trade visitors (42,248 trade visitors the previous year) attended the CPD Düsseldorf (womenswear), HMD Herrenmode Düsseldorf, Body Look (Body, Beach and Legwear) and Global Fashion (Sourcing) trade fairs during the three-day event. This means that the Igedo Fashion Fairs consolidated their position as Germany s most important fashion fairs and the central order and communication platform for the European market. However, from the exhibitors viewpoint what was more important than visitor numbers was the quality of buyers once again. Nearly 84% were executives with decision-making authority. The international proportion of visitors rose slightly to 34% (compared to 32% the previous year). The most important countries of origin were the Benelux, Austria and Switzerland as well as Italy, Spain and Russia. All in all 1,770 exhibitors (previous year 1,780 exhibitors) from 51 nations presented 2,300 collections for the 2008 Spring/Summer season at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre. Commenting on this trend at the final press conference, Frank Hartmann, CEO of the Igedo Company, said: Düsseldorf has gained a firm foothold again and remains the choice destination for the German and Central European market. The most important feature of the past few days was that positive thinking has returned to the exhibition halls. The significance of the fashion destination Düsseldorf and both the economic and creative potential are coming to the fore again for exhibitors. By holding the Igedo Fashion Fairs we are offering the serious business platform which both manufacturers and dealers want. Increasingly the Igedo Fashion Fairs Düsseldorf are also becoming synonymous with a higher VIP factor. In addition to the daily business conducted at the Exhibition Centre, high-calibre events attracted many national and international celebrities:
- 2 - Jerry Hall, Jenny Elvers-Elbertzhagen, Frauke Ludowig and Jasmin Wagner attended the BUNTE New Faces Award supported by the Igedo Company. Also sponsored by the Igedo Company were the PETRA Fashion Awards at the Turbinenhalle featuring German Idol Alexander Klaws, Pierre Blackwood and Jörg Knör. Furthermore, the stars of Germany s Next Topmodel TV show Bruce Darnell, Lena Gercke and Hana Nitsche as well as actors Hannes Jaenicke, Katja Flint, Tanja Wenzel and Alexandra Kamp, models Eva Padberg, Vanessa Hessler und Mirja DuMont, world boxing champion Regina Halmich, Miss Germany Nelly Marie Bojahr, film director Sönke Wortmann and many other stars and starlets, attended such events as the party celebrating 50 years of Nienhaus, the Design am Rhein Award, the Vogue Cocktail and numerous fashion shows and evening events held as part of the Igedo Fashion Fairs all over town. + CPD Fashion Gallery and Concept 11 make new statement The core segment of the Igedo Fashion Fairs, CPD Düsseldorf, once again offered a powerful presentation and order platform for women s fashion. 1,050 women s wear exhibitors showed what fashion will be all about in Spring/Summer 2008. This time the Concept 11 segment in Hall 12 was particularly compelling. Concept 11 offers showroom operators exclusive access to international buyers and new customers on the exhibition grounds. Our exhibition stand in Hall 12 had a magnetic appeal for international visitors. Many buyers especially from Russia, Greece, Italy and Germany have discovered our brand at CPD, said Joséphine Bui from French label Aventures des Toiles. Packed aisles and high satisfaction also prevailed at the Fashion Gallery, the creative heart of CPD, on all three days of the fair. The designers in Hall 14 presented their fashion with an individual personality and uncompromising design signature: Mode Deluxe with at times unconventional fashion statements that were celebrated by trade visitors. Nearly 20% of visitors were interested in the top-end segment of the Igedo Fashion Fairs and therefore perfectly catered for by the Fashion Gallery. There were also mostly satisfied exhibitors in the Style & Signatures sector, the segment where international, progressive and high-quality labels were presented. The good attendance in Hall 13 was the main reason for the prevailing buoyant mood amongst exhibitors. More and more brands, also from the young fashion
- 3 - segment, view the Igedo Fashion Fairs Düsseldorf as an absolute must order and information platform. Summing up the results, Ricardo Meyer, Managing Director Germany of Ben Sherman, said: We have participated at Style & Signatures for the first time and our expectations have been fully met. The geographical location and accessibility are Düsseldorf s major strong points. And we have also felt the practical aspect of this over the past few days. + HMD established as an export platform for menswear HMD Herrenmode Düsseldorf remains Germany s only international men s fashion fair. 90 exhibitors presented a convincing cross-section of ranges mainly in the trousers, knitwear and separates segments. For the first time, a supersize segment was displayed at HMD. The majority of the 26 firms represented at HMD for the first time were as satisfied with the exhibition as the existing exhibitors but also wished to see increased participation by other menswear companies. Summing up the situation, Wolfgang Müller, General Manager Marketing and Distribution at Hajo Mode, said: It would be nice if other powerhouse companies could decide to participate at HMD in addition to their showroom presence. To us the Igedo Fashion Fairs are a reliable export basis. We have managed to win over new customers. Boasting more exhibitors, HMD could become an even stronger attraction. With HMD we have offered a consistent menswear exhibition concept for three seasons now, said Frank Hartmann and added: Menswear is in good hands with the Igedo Fashion Fairs and it is right on track. But a men s fashion fair can only prove successful for all parties involved if the producing side also makes a relevant contribution. + Body Look continues to gain momentum Body Look is becoming increasingly important for the sector. 80% of exhibitors rated the International Trade Fair for Body, Beach and Legwear positively. Commenting on the high spirits in Halls 15 and 16, Michael Mertens, Sales Manager of Anita, put it in a nutshell: There is no stopping the business. The 250 exhibitors along with the 400 brands they presented (35% foreign share) almost unanimously
- 4 - reported a very good attendance on all three days of the fair. This time international buyers were more prominent. The economic upswing, which seems to have reached specialist retailing, has now positively impacted on the order business. Buyers travelled to Düsseldorf not only to gather information but to also place orders. And, unlike the previous years, they did not confine themselves to ordering mainstream-fashion articles. Buyers showed some courage, open-mindedly embracing innovations and trends. There was also demand for pronto moda ranges, NOS articles, trendy flash lines or Christmas programmes. Many visitors used the trend.forum and trend lectures to re-cap their fresh impressions. The new Intimate Park event and exhibition area, where eight progressive exhibitors were presented, was received very well and rated as an asset for Body Look. Already at this early stage 85% of exhibitors have announced their participation at the next Body Look, a response which confirms the path embarked upon. Frank Hartmann: Body Look has undergone a fabulous development in Düsseldorf. New concepts such as Intimate Park lend our trade fair a fresh signature. We will exploit this potential even further for future events. + Global Fashion exhibitors came perfectly prepared Likewise, Global Fashion further consolidated its position as the largest and most important trade fair specialising in Contracting, Sourcing and Private Label Production in the international fashion business. It has stood the test of time, becoming an indispensable information and communication exchange for the sourcing apparel industry, volume retail buyers and importers/exporters from all key segments of the fashion industry. 380 exhibitors from twelve nations reported that both their moda pronta ranges available for Autumn/Winter 2007/2008 and their first developments for Spring/Summer had met with interest among both German and international buyers. The consistently improved quality of visitors and exhibitors but also the even stricter structuring of visitors according to product groups have both contributed to the success of Global Fashion. Sabine Schommer, Project Director of Global Fashion, said: This time exhibitors from all nations also conducted their trade fair preparation by manning their stands with competent contact persons from their
- 5 - company a move that was explicitly praised by exhibitors. In contrast to earlier trade fairs, many firms came even better prepared with the aim of fulfilling the wishes and requirements of potential buyers in terms of pricing, minimum quantities, delivery periods and cycles. The ten first-time exhibitors from Ethiopia, which participated at Global fashion on a joint stand organised by GTZ, the Germany Society for Technical Cooperation, were also delighted with the promising contacts made with international buyers. + New WEARe Düsseldorf exhibition project presented The anxiously awaited preview of the new WEARe Düsseldorf exhibition project met with a positive response. The trade fair for contemporary clothing culture will be held at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre from 8 to 10 February 2008 for the first time and under the direction of Igedo newcomer Mark McGuire. Over 400 visitors gathered information on the concept of the new fair. Summarising conversations with visitors McGuire said We had some critical yet fact-based discussions with people in our information area and Hall 8 where WEARe Düsseldorf will take place. It is a fact that Düsseldorf as a location and our concept go down very well with the sector. Now we will really get going. + Igedo Fashion Fairs Düsseldorf 2008 dates Due to the Carnival celebrations, next year will see the Igedo Fashion Fairs Düsseldorf held from 10 to 12 February. The summer event will run from 27 to 29 July 2008. Düsseldorf, 24 July 2007 All activities of the organiser of the Igedo Fashion Fairs Düsseldorf, the Igedo Company, can also be found on the Internet at: www.igedo.com Information on CPD at: www.cpd.de Information on HMD at: www.herrenmode-duesseldorf.de Information on Body Look at: www.body-look.de Information on WEAREe Düsseldorf at: www.weare-duesseldorf.de Modemedia PR & Events, a Division of Igedo Company GmbH & Co. KG,, 40474 Düsseldorf Thomas Kötter Martina Kuchenbecker Sandra Strzeletz Corporate Spokesman Press Consultant Press Consultant t +49.211.4396.490 t + 49.211.4396.484 t+49.211.4396.426 e-mail:koetter@igedo.com e-mail:kuchenbecker@modemedia.de e-mail:strzeletz@igedo.com