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Brits head to Paris to sell to international fashion buyers

02
Mar '10

With more than 200 British womenswear designers and brands heading to Paris for the final push in this season's selling cycle, the export team at the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) has put together a map that pinpoints who is showing in which of the plethora of exhibition venues and showrooms in the French capital to make it easier for international buyers (and the media) to plan their visit.

“While international buyers do the circuit of New York, London, Milan and Paris – it is at the latter that the largest proportion of sales of British goods are usually wrapped up, so it is not surprising that the contingent we are taking to France is as large as ever even in these difficult trading times,” claims Paul Alger, deputy director, UKFT.

The UKFT Business Centre, located for the first time inside the Tranoï Carrousel du Louvre exhibition venue, will provide additional indepth information about the British collections on show to help buyers with their decision-making.

While most womenswear fashion categories are represented in Paris, there is a very strong accessories group offering everything from the quirky to the more classic. Showing for the first time in Paris (at the Vendôme Luxury Trade Show Park Hyatt) is Samia Kamar who makes luxury handbags in exotic skins and leather; also at this venue is well-established Lulu Guinness.

At Tranoï Carrousel du Louvre buyers will find regular exhibitor Rocio, which produces fantastic fashion bags in acacia wood, as well as ostrich and other luxury skins, while Opika is showing its range of fashion-led belts at ZipZone.

“Britain exported around £3bn worth of fashion last year and we are working closely with companies to try and beat this figure this year. While the market is tough, currency fluctuations are in our favour particularly with a strong Euro, making our products even more tempting for buyers in the Eurozone, our largest export region,” adds Alger.

UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT)

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