The trade fairs of a season not only serve as a platform for orders for retailers and industry, but also offer an overview of the trends of the future. From Expo Riva on Lake Garda to Shoes in Düsseldorf and Micam in Milan: Over the course of an order round, it becomes clear what is well received by customers – and what is not. This allows manufacturers to adapt their collections over the weeks, while retailers are provided with a clear picture of next year’s fashion.
This dynamic is different in the current season: the trade fair schedule is tighter and there is hardly any room for corrections. Milan shows where the problem lies: At the trade fair, a certain dissatisfaction with the current situation was expressed. Retailers are called upon to find clarity in the midst of the collections and to identify the most important impulses and trends – but this is particularly difficult with brands that hardly have any time for any developments during the season. The question marks remain; clarity looks different. There is hope: for the coming F/W season, for example, Shoes has already announced a new, early trade fair date. This means that the trade fair activities are spread more generously over the season, while retailers are given a little more room for inspiration and clarity at that time. An opening trade fair, as was often requested in the industry, could offer precisely that orientation. In general, new questions arise here: What could a new schedule look like for the industry? How does a new rhythm influence the brands’ collections and the retailers’ ordering behavior? And how will this development affect the next S/S season? A new rhythm could offer new opportunities – and even allow for a little confidence.
In this issue we also present the trends and styles from New York Fashion Week. Clarity is the key word here too: although the catwalk images cover a wide range of styles, the colors still provide a common thread and thus structure. It’s worth looking across the pond to get a fresh perspective – and perhaps a little more clarity.