Upbeat buyers and strong orders at Moda

28 Feb '09

4 min read

Moda February '09 illustrated that despite demonstrating increasing caution in the face of the recent economic climate, serious buyers were out to do serious business at the fashion industry's largest UK trade show.

Held at the NEC in Birmingham, the show introduced retailers to its most diverse and exciting international line up, including 200 new arrivals such as Uldahl and Uto at Moda Woman, Calvin Klein Underwear, Merc and Simon Carter at Moda Menswear, Rocket Dog, WLM, and Roberto Botello at Moda footwear.

Tony Greenfield, Managing Director of Rocket Dog Brands International Ltd said; “Rocket Dog exhibited at Moda for the first time this season and we were impressed with the organisation of the show and the amount of visitors exceeded our expectations. Both new and repeat customers visited the stand and placed orders for the AW09 footwear collections. Moda is definitely on the calendar for next season!”

Visitor numbers across Moda remained level with February 2008 with the majority of exhibitors pleased with the quality of buyers and number of new contacts made*. Sunday was the strongest day with visitor numbers up on the previous season.

Andy Cockayne, Sales Director of Hush Puppies exhibiting at Moda Footwear commented; “We've had a great show despite the current economic climate. Our new range has been met with lots if enthusiasm and buyers have been keen to write orders. Our new look premium collection has been particularly well received. We're really pleased.”

Christina Kehoe, General Manager of Steilmann exhibiting at Moda Woman adds; “Buyers have been more cautious this season but we have had a positive response to the collection and opened new accounts. We have had a particularly good response to our accessories collection which is new this season.”

Norman Reeve, Design Director of Gibson London, which showed as part of Moda Menswear's new contemporary area Moda Platform, was also pleased with the show's performance.

“Moda Platform has been particularly impressive this year and there is a fantastic mix of brands that have attracted quality clientele. We have done excellent business here.”

Buyers travelled from all corners of the world including France, Australia, Spain, Sweden, Germany, USA, Japan and Hong Kong to evaluate the upcoming trends for Autumn '09.

Tom Cross of Cross Synnott said; “We are at Moda seeking new, young brands for our store and we've seen some exciting products that will help us move our store in the young fashion direction. We're impressed with Platform too as it provides an intimate environment to shop and view collections in an open, clear layout.”

Plans are underway for Moda August 09, which will be taking place at the NEC from August 9th to 11th.

Sarah Moody, event director of Moda Woman concludes; “As an organizer we are always looking at how we can best respond to the needs of the market and the new initiatives we introduced to the show this season, including our investment in a new look and layout for the show, have been very well received. Plans for August 09 include the further expansion of Moda Platform within Moda Menswear and the launch of a new concept for contemporary and niche womenswear labels at Moda Woman.”

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