Igedo Fashion Tradeshows; presented in Madrid and Barcelona

Düsseldorf, the German capital of fashion
Hartmann opened his presentation by focusing on the identity of Düsseldorf as the capital of the Renania region in North Westfalia (NRW), where 11 million inhabitants live in an area comprising a radius of 50 Km and rated as the third most affluent place in Europe. This reveals the area is highly convenient, which adds to its strategic location among other European major capital cities like Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, etc. Düsseldorf, known for the past 56 years as the “Capital of Fashion in Germany”, is once again a protagonist in this field, with the announced cancellation of Bread & Butter in Berlin. Frank Hartmann said, “It is not just that Düsseldorf is immediately linked to fashion, but the glamour of its streets and stores, with over 3,000 brands present all around the city during each edition (1,700 stores around the tradeshow venue). These are reasons good enough for stating that Düsseldorf is the indisputable capital of fashion”.

Four tradeshows to reaffirm Düsseldorf’s role as a protagonist
In addition to the reasons mentioned, defining Düsseldorf as the leading city for the world of fashion, Hartmann also pointed out that 4 parallel tradeshows are simultaneously held there, thus stressing the city’s power and relevance. “Igedo Fashion Fairs Düsseldorf” is the umbrella for 4 independent fashion tradeshows showcasing creations by major international professionals designing apparel for men and women, lingerie, bathroom textiles, wedding gowns and accessories: CPD, as an event featuring women’s fashion in general, HMD for men’s fashion, Body Look for lingerie and bathroom textiles, and Global Fashion as a forum for exchanging information and manufacture proposals.
The four tradeshows in their July and February editions, attract 44,000 visitors from 80 countries to the Messe Düsseldorf exhibitions centre, along with 1,700 exhibiting companies and over 1,600 journalists and reporters from all around the world. Global Fashion, said Hartmann, groups 400 exhibiting businesses. It is an event addressing manufacturers and promoting exchange as it features opportunities for outsourcing and planning private labels. The three fashion events (CPD; HMD and Body Look) address retailers and buyers. The triangle results in major synergies for a large share of those coming to buy women’s and men’s clothes are also interested in lingerie and bathroom textiles, and viceversa.
CPD, with its diversified and segmented offer, features women’s fashion at its broadest in every aspect, from the classic to the most avant-garde designs, including accessories, apparel for expecting mothers, evenings, wedding gowns, etc. Hartmann also pinted out that as the Bread & Butter show in Berlin is cancelled this means that Igedo Company’s planned sector for CPD will include Jeans, Casual & More featuring urbanwear and jeans labels. Also, and in addition to the areas already known in the event, CPD will feature new zones for brands and agents wishing to showcase their collections in a showroom setting, like “Styles & Signatures” (which opened successfully in July 2006), “New Discovery”, for hi-trend labels known in their respective countries but not yet known internationally, or “The Room” a lounge-style area for highly exclusive labels. “Fashion Gallery” will group designers, vanguard labels and young talents.
In addition to being a first-rate tradeshow CPD will also act as a major news forum, with over 40 fashion shows, trends zones, seminars and relaxation or inspiration area. Everything has been carefully planned and Hartmann explained that as this sector in Germany evolves continuously, and following the failed attempt by HMD in Berlin, this is the only tradeshow for men’s fashion and it powerfully attracts more and more exhibitors and visitors as the sector seeks to strengthen its position. HMD currently has some 140 exhibitors registered and in February 2007 it will be held in the privileged area of the North Gate to the Düsseldorf exhibitions center. Within HMD, “Galeria Uomo” will group major international men’s fashion labels and brands.

Tradeshows managed and planned abroad
That Igedo Company’s initiatives focus on the international is proved, stated Frank Hartmann, by the many tradeshows held abroad like CPM – Collection Premiére Moscow – enjoying great success and spectacular growth. This tradeshow was created just over three years ago, and has become an indispensable platform for the opening of new markets in the fashion business within the significantly large Russian market, as well as in surrounding countries. The past Moscow edition was held in September and recorded 16,300 visitors revealing growth rates of 17% over the previous edition. This serves to corroborate the excellent development and evolution of this tradeshow where over 1,100 exhibitors from 31 countries showcased their creations. Hartmann also highlighted the synergies of Igedo Fashion Fairs Düsseldorf and CPM Moscow, mostly regarding buyers from Eastern and former Soviet Union countries and pointing out to the importance of Spanish labels and brands present, mostly in the sector of children’s fashion. He also announced that in February 2007 CPM will open a fashion sector for brides and young consumers.
Hartmann thanked Spanish exhibitors for trusting events planned by Igedo, and expressed appreciation for ICEX’s support and presence in both the Düsseldorf and Moscow tradeshows.