Face2Face is glad to get once again the opportunity of a talk on industry and Magic, Mr DeMoulin. How is Magic doing these days?
As always, the MAGIC Marketplace is the most important, full-service apparel event, from fiber to finish representing the total supply chain. In particular, the growth and evolution of Sourcing at MAGIC provides exhibitors direct access to the largest concentration of buying power in the United States and offers educational seminars presented by the world's most influential industry leaders. A sampling of topics include “TRADE POLICY AND THE BOTTOM LINE: OBAMA'S TRADE AGENDA AND FASHION!”, “The Wonderful World of Mosaics for Winter 2010/2011 / PANTONE” and “LEVI STRAUSS: Terms of Engagement and Sourcing Policy” “THE NEW ECONOMY, THE NEW CONSUMER, THE NEW RULES – ARE YOU READY?” from Marshal Cohen of NPD. There is no other market that provides resources, contacts, buying power, and industry knowledge comparable to Sourcing at MAGIC and The MAGIC Marketplace.
Sounds impressive! Taking the topic of global trade-fairs industry further; shall we request you to throw some light on present trends in textile fairs arena, and how does Magic cater the need?
In the textile world, many companies are becoming totally vertical or creating partnerships within their regions offering full package service manufacturing options to meet the needs of sourcing executives and product development teams - taking them from fiber to finished fashion. Our trade show, Sourcing at MAGIC, is the only trade fair in the U.S. that provides attendees the complete range from information and education to fabric to finished products in all apparel, accessory & footwear categories. Today, trade shows must be networking, educational and business forums for both exhibitor and visitor. The MAGIC MARKETPLACE is a unique venue worldwide meeting all of these criteria.
That's true. Trade fair today, definitely needs to be much more than just a display of converged products. Now turning to another important issue; please let us know which all are the sourcing challenges that global fashion and textile companies confront presently?
I would say the biggest challenge is the constant ongoing change in international trade law; some examples would be in regards to social accountability, environmental sustainability, free trade agreements and import regulations. This makes the sourcing executives job challenging worldwide. Sourcing at MAGIC consistently provides an ongoing educational series, partnering with leaders in the industry world wide to provide up to the minute information on all aspects of the industry.
DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of Fibre2Fashion.com.