Record attendance and record business as Moda welcomes new names and industry sectors.
Moda, the UK’s largest trade fashion exhibition, reported a 21 per cent* increase in attendance at its most recent edition, which ran at the NEC, Birmingham on 21-23 February. The show saw a raft of new exhibitors taking part across its Moda Woman, Moda Menswear, Moda Footwear and Moda Accessories halls, and Moda Lingerie & Swimwear.
A positive mood was felt throughout the halls, with snowfall in many areas of the country failing to deter buyers, and exhibitors across the shows reporting significant increases on February 2009 - with some reporting record orders. Visitors to the event included buyers from major department stores including Harrods, John Lewis, Fenwick and Debenhams, as well as Hoopers, Bentalls, Beales, Creaseys, Voisins and Williams & Griffin.
Independents visiting the show included womenswear retailers Gene Sutcliffe of Accrington, Maureen Cookson of Clitheroe, Pennita of North Yorkshire, Rodayo of Liverpool, Plum Boutique of Circencester and Camp Hopson of Berkshire, and menswear stores Chessmen of Cardiff, Cross Synott of Birmingham, Carl Stuart of West Yorkshire, Leaf Clothing of Newcastle, D7 Menswear of Surrey and WD Coe of Suffolk, while footwear indies included Edwards of Manchester, Jake Shoes of Cheshire, Heaven Is… of Wetherby and Genesis of Warrington. Independent lingerie retailers were also out in force for the debut edition of their new national show, and included Cheshire Lady in Congleton, D’Braz in Banstead, Perfect Fit in Bristol, Cameo in Dyfed, Better Than Chocolate in Saffron Waldon, What Lies Beneath in Bramhall and Chantilly Lace in County Down.
Italian womenswear label Elisa Cavaletti was one of a large number of new arrivals at the show. “Moda Woman surpassed all of our expectations,” says UK agent Joy Redfern. “The stand was packed from the off and it continued throughout the three days. The size of the orders we were taking showed real confidence in the product, and buyers were obviously on the lookout for something new.”
Mandy Travis, buyer at womenswear independent Helen Winterson in Marple, Stockport, was impressed by the brand line-up at this season’s show. “The brand mix was really strong this season, and amongst others we added John Smedley to our portfolio at the show,” she says. “Moda has proved to be a great shop window for us and we viewed and bought some very strong collections. The fact that Moda Woman runs alongside Moda Accessories is also an important bonus, and we also we picked up some interesting new accessories finds.”
Moda Menswear also saw strong business throughout the three days, with the event’s biggest ever line-up of brands attracting a large number of new visitors to the show. Regular visitors praised the addition of new brands such as US giant Calvin Klein Jeans, Spanish lifestyle label Florentino and British heritage brand Alan Paine to the event, which also saw first-time appearances from the likes of Dockers, Brax, Caliban, Selected Homme, Nani Bon, Benvenuto, Coxmoore and Mirto. Many regular exhibitors such as Camel Active, meanwhile, reported a significant increase on previous shows.
“This season’s Moda Menswear was our most successful ever, not just in terms of orders from existing accounts but also on new business,” says Marc Thompson, director of the brand’s UK distributor Enya. “Retailers were in optimistic mood, and the show certainly had the best brand line-up so far.”
Retailer Brian Smith of Leaf Clothing in Newcastle is a regular visitor to the show. “Moda Menswear is a great place to take a fresh look at ranges and identify the strengths of a brand in comparison to the competition,” he says. “It’s obviously really growing as a show, and now saves me a lot of time on visits to the showrooms.”
Moda Footwear, the UK’s largest footwear show, also featured a large number of new names this season, including men’s lifestyle brands Peter Werth and Boxfresh, and new women’s fashion brands including VUDU, Zimo London, United Nude and Rakish Heels. Lee Davies, agent for United Nude, comments “United Nude picked up some great new customers at Moda. It was good to see more premium fashion labels taking part, and the retailers were certainly impressed with the line-up.”
Hush Puppies returned to the show after a season’s absence to report record figures over the three days. “We were very happy to be back at Moda,” says marketing manager Julie Bradley. “It provided the perfect showcase for our new Body Shoe and 1958 concepts, which were both well received by buyers. Overall we had our best show ever, taking a record amount of orders and opening some new and sought-after accounts.”
Steve Fitzsimmons, buyer at footwear independent Edward of Manchester, visited the show for a full overview of the new season’s footwear offer. “The standard of exhibitors this season was the best it has ever been,” he says. “The show was very busy, which I think indicates that next year is going to be a better year for retailers.”
The next edition of Moda takes place at the NEC, Birmingham on 8-10 August 2010.
(Added February 27, 2010)
Business booms as brands and buyers flock to the industry’s new national lingerie and swimwear show
The debut edition of Moda Lingerie & Swimwear saw three days of packed stands and strong orders as brands from across the lingerie, swimwear and hosiery sectors met with buyers from all corners of the UK and Ireland at the industry’s new national show. Held at the NEC Birmingham on 21-23 February, the event played host to over 200 collections and attracted buyers from across the lingerie retail sector.
Stores visiting the show included department stores John Lewis, Debenhams, Fenwick, Hoopers, Beales and Voisins, national lingerie chain Bravissimo and online lingerie specialist Figleaves, as well as independents including Cheshire Lady in Congleton, D’Braz in Banstead, Perfect Fit in Keynsham, Bristol, Cameo in Dyfed, Better Than Chocolate in Saffron Waldon, What Lies Beneath in Bramhall and Chantilly Lace in County Down. Brands and retailers praised both the event itself and the strength of the show’s line-up, which included the likes of Triumph International, Panache, Eveden, Gossard/Berlei and Calvin Klein as well as Ballet, Aubade, Lejaby, Femilet, Hanro, Huit and Lise Charmel.
“Moda Lingerie & Swimwear more than lived up to our expectations,” says Ann-Marie Manley, marketing manager at British lingerie and swimwear supplier Eveden. “The footfall was fantastic and we saw customers from right the way across the UK. The stand was incredibly busy for the whole show, and we were very pleased to see an overall increase in order value compared to the same time last year.”
Gossard managing director Tony Jarvis says that the brand saw a large number of new customers as well as existing accounts over the course of the show. “We had a brilliant show,” he says. “Gossard has gone through an important period of transition of late and Moda offered the ideal opportunity to show the industry what the brand’s now about in a completely new show environment. The show itself had just the right format, and the catwalk show was very impressive. We did great business over the three days and we’re still following up on new accounts we picked up at the show.”
The Moda Catwalk theatre played host to regular catwalk shows throughout the three days, showcasing the key trends in lingerie, swimwear and nightwear for autumn/winter 2010. On the opening day, Triumph also used the area as the venue for a spectacular one-off catwalk show and presentation to launch its Triumph Inspiration Award, a global competition for student lingerie designers being held in London later this year. On Monday, meanwhile, the catwalk played host to an exclusive appearance from TV style gurus Trinny and Susannah, whose shapewear collection was showcased on the Cette stand at the exhibition.
Buyers were in positive mood throughout the event. “Moda Lingerie & Swimwear had a great, upbeat atmosphere, and most importantly all of the main suppliers were there,” says Verity Parker of department store group John Lewis. “The NEC is such an easy venue to get to, and the show was very well organised. I think on the whole the feeling within the industry is a lot more positive than it was this time last year, and if retailers have the right product people are still buying.”
Independent retailer Lynn Young of Perfect Fit in Keynsham, Bristol, spent two days at the show. “Moda is the perfect show for me,” she says. “It was easy to get to and so well organised, and the atmosphere was great. I don’t usually buy at shows but I placed orders with at least 12 suppliers over the two days. In the current economic climate we’re all having to look harder and think more carefully before buying, and Moda offered the ideal buying environment.”
(Added February 27, 2010)
Trinny and Susannah head for Moda Lingerie & Swimwear
TV style gurus Trinny and Susannah have transformed the shapewear industry with their Magic Knickers, and now they’re heading to Moda Lingerie & Swimwear to present their collection and host a special half-hour shapewear show, which will be followed by a question and answer session.
“We are so excited about coming to Moda and talking about the benefits of shapewear,” says Trinny. “Underwear really is the foundation to a great outfit and it is so important for women to feel happy and confident in what they wear. At Moda on Monday 21st February we will be offering an insight into our range and the inspirations behind it.”
Trinny and Susannah will take to the stage as part of the exhibition’s extensive line-up of free seminars offering expert retail advice.
(Added February 10, 2010)
Moda launches new area for directional brands
Moda Footwear has announced the launch of an exclusive new area for directional brands at the February 2010 show.
Moda Platform will showcase up-and-coming and niche brands, with Rakish Heels, ZIMO, Strutt Couture, Strutt Couture by Zandra Rhodes and Feud amongst the brands already signed up to take part. It will be located within the show’s Boutique fashion zone.
“The Boutique zone is already one of the most exciting areas of the event, but some of the more niche brands we’ve been talking to have been looking for something designed specifically for them,” says event director Sean O’Connor. “We’ve already had a great response, and the show will now be offering even more for buyers in search of new names for their store.”
Other brands showing for the first time at Moda Footwear include streetwear label Boxfresh and T.U.K in the life zone, classic British brand Cheaney in Essential and Inga from Sweden in boutique. Footwear giant Hush Puppies returns to Moda Footwear after an absence last season and Contemporary British label Peter Werth also makes its debut.
(Added December 8, 2009)
Industry’s biggest names sign up for Moda Lingerie & Swimwear
Moda Lingerie & Swimwear has been confirmed as the new national trade show for the lingerie and swimwear industries, having gained the support of brands and buyers from across the sector. A raft of major names have signed up for the debut event, which takes place at the NEC, Birmingham on 21-23 February 2010.
Industry leading brands already signed up for the event include Triumph International - which has not been seen at a UK show for more than two years - Fantasie, Lejaby, Panache, Gossard and Hanro, with over 90 brands already having pledged their support for the show.
“Moda Lingerie and Swimwear offers something that hasn’t been available to the lingerie industry in recent years, both in terms of a premium exhibition environment and lingerie being part of a major fashion exhibition,” says Triumph’s head of marketing Purminder Mondair. “We’re very excited about the plans for the event, and look forward to being part of a new national show.”
Buyers from across the industry have also spoken out in support of the event. “The launch of Moda Lingerie & Swimwear is a fabulous opportunity for the industry, and offers the perfect platform to showcase lingerie alongside fashion, all under one roof,” says Figleaves lingerie buyer Denise Fraser. “The show’s central location at the NEC really supports the UK industry, while the presence of other fashion sectors means retailers can expand on their offer without having to attend a number of different shows.”
Moda Lingerie & Swimwear event director Penny Robinson says that the high level of support for the event underlines the fact that the launch was driven by industry demand. “This is a hugely positive move for the lingerie and swimwear industries, and will offer brands from across the sectors the kind of contemporary show environment which they now demand,” she says. “It’s also a very positive move for buyers, who will now be able to see the very best in lingerie and swimwear at one easily accessible show.”
Moda Lingerie & Swimwear takes place alongside Moda Woman, Moda Accessories, Moda Footwear and Moda Menswear, which together form the UK’s largest trade fashion event.
(Added October 9, 2009)
Lingerie industry heads to Birmingham
Moda, the UK’s largest trade fashion exhibition is to be the new home for the UK's leading lingerie and swimwear brands, with the launch of Moda Lingerie & Swimwear for February 2010.
Moda Lingerie & Swimwear will take place at the NEC, Birmingham on 21-23 February 2010, answering calls from across the industry for an event catering for the entire lingerie and swimwear sector in a location convenient for buyers from all corners of the UK and Ireland. Moda Lingerie & Swimwear will run alongside national trade shows Moda Woman, Moda Accessories, Moda Footwear and Moda Menswear, that together form the largest and most important trade fashion event in the UK.
News of the launch has been met with an overwhelmingly positive response from buyers and brands, with Moda Lingerie & Swimwear immediately securing the support of some of the industry’s biggest names including Panache Lingerie, Eveden, Gossard, Berlei, After Eden, Gottex, Moontide and Seaspray.
Major UK supplier Eveden took part in Moda Beach in August this year, and will now bring its full portfolio of lingerie and swimwear brands to Moda Lingerie & Swimwear. “The feedback from our customers was very positive, and they found the location really accessible,” says sales director Nigel Addison. “It was a great experience to show within a well-lit, contemporary environment that benefited from a great atmosphere the whole time we were there. Being part of a wider fashion exhibition can only bring positives to the lingerie industry.”
“The NEC is a fabulous venue with great facilities, and being able to do all of our buying there will cut down massively on the time we spend out of the store” said Sue Birchmore, owner of D’Braz in Banstead, Surrey. “The look and atmosphere of Moda brings something new and exciting to the industry, and being able to view accessories and footwear as well as the new season’s fashion trends is a real plus for us as retailers.”
“The fact that such major industry players have already pledged their support is a testament to the need for a truly national show,” says event director Penny Robinson. “We’re fully committed to producing an event which delivers the right audience and offers lingerie and swimwear brands the kind of contemporary, premium environment not currently available in the UK.”
Brands already supporting the launch of Moda Lingerie & Swimwear include After Eden, Beautifull, Berlei, Bond-Eye, Boobs & Bloomers, C Collection, Captiva, Christina, Cocöa, Conturelle, Costex, Cover Me, Cupid Fine Shapewear, Damella, Diamond Tea, Edgies, Elomi, Fantasie, Fantasizer, Fauve, Felina, Freya, Goddess, Gossard, Gottex, Lingadore, Love & Lustre, Luna di Setta, Marjolaine, Miraclesuit, Miss Elaine, Moon River by Costex, Moontide, Naomi & Nicole, Ory, Panache, Parasol, Red or Dead, Saha Swimwear, Seaspray, The Body Wrap, Va Bien, Waxx Underwear, White Mischief, Y.E.W.O.
(Added September 22, 2009)
Moda Footwear collaborates with student designers
Moda Footwear, the UK’s largest fashion trade show for the footwear industry, is uniting with De Montfort University, for a project which will see footwear designs created by the university’s most talented students unveiled at the show in February 2010.
Moda Footwear will be challenging the next wave of final year footwear students to create designs that bring the rich heritage of the British footwear industry into the 21st Century with the launch of ‘HISTORY IN THE MAKING’, a bespoke project that will feature as part of their studies.
“Students from last year’s footwear design course were invited to present their designs at the August 09 show and we were blown away by the creativity on display” said Moda Footwear event director Nick Cook. “Moda is pleased to announce it will now be strengthening its links with De Montfort University with a project that will test students on their innovation and willingness to push the boundaries of footwear design.”
Designs from students on the B.A. (Hons) Footwear Design course, which is the only single honours footwear design course in the UK, will be judged by an industry panel including the editor of leading trade magazine Fashion Extras. Six designs will be chosen to be presented at the Moda Footwear show.
“The University is always looking at ways to forge closer links with the industry" said Kevin Guildford, Head of Footwear at DMU. “This project is a chance for students to show their designs in front of a huge industry audience which will open up fantastic opportunities for them.”
Positive mood at Moda - 9, 10, 11 August, 2009
Buyers and exhibitors were in an optimistic mood at the spring edition of Moda, which took place at the NEC in Birmingham on 9 – 11 August. The show recorded a record number of first-day visitors for a spring edition and, over the three days of the show, attendance was up by two per cent on the same time last year.
“Retailers are a lot more positive this season. They are doing better than expected, and they are ready to buy again into the ranges” said Michael Black, agent for Libra. “We wrote some good orders, especially from new customers which was great. It was good to be back.”
Buyers from department stores including Harrods, Fenwicks, Allders, Arnotts and Debenhams were in attendance as well as independents including Psyche in Middlesbrough and Alizari in Chester, plus online retailers ASOS and Children’s Salon.
The mood of optimism continued at Moda Menswear, which had its strongest August show so far with 25 per cent more brands taking part than in August 2008. “I hadn’t visited Moda Menswear before and I was very impressed with the diversity of the brands on offer,” said Steve Cochrane from Psyche. “We don’t usually buy at shows but we wrote orders with new and existing suppliers and had the time to talk to existing suppliers about new ideas for the store.”
Robert Burgess, agent for Claudio Campione said, “We enjoyed a very successful return to Moda Menswear, picking up a number of new accounts and re-establishing contacts with several others.” But he added that buyers were being more cautious. “In difficult trading conditions on the high street, buyers are playing it safe. However they have been impressed by the quality and price of the collection and even more impressed with the colour and vibrancy of the spring Range.”
Moda Footwear also featured an influx of new brands including first-time footwear exhibitors Fly London, Feud, Firetrap and Strutt Couture. “Moda Footwear is a growing show which is encouraging more premium-placed brands,” commented Strutt co-founder and designer Ian O’Connor. “Our first time at the show has been very successful. Even though there’s a recession, the quality of buyers have been very good and they have been willing to write orders. We are happy with the business we’ve received at the show.”
Exhibitors overall were encouraged by the high-quality buyers and strong attendance at Moda, which introduced a new womenswear platform and Moda Beach area this season. “We’re really happy, especially with the quality of buyers we’ve seen throughout the three days at Moda Beach. The open plan design and stand-build works so well and, considering this has been a first, we’ve been doing good business.” commented Jacquie Copley, managing director of Aguaclara Agencies.
The August edition also featured a new swimwear catwalk show as well as its regular menswear and womenswear catwalk show and a seminar programme giving retailers and brands expert advice on how to trade successfully through the current downturn.
Event director Sarah Moody said, “The attendance overall is up on last year and the quality of visitors has been very high. The new initiatives we introduced to the show this season have been very well received and feedback from exhibitors has been incredibly positive. We are pleased that Moda August 2009 has enjoyed such a positive result despite the difficult economic environment and that many retailers are looking ahead with cautious optimism.”
Next season’s Moda takes place on 21-23 February 2010 at the NEC in Birmingham.
For more information, please contact claire.robinson@moda-uk.co.uk or visit www.moda-uk.co.uk.
(Added August 17, 2009)
Big-name swimwear brands head for Moda Beach
For the first time this August, Moda brings together a selection of up-and-coming talent and premium swimwear collections for spring/summer 2010. The new swimwear zone has already gathered together some of the biggest branded names from the industry. The latest brands to choose Moda Beach are Fantasie Swimwear, Freya Swimwear, After Eden, Catamar and Nickey Nobel.
New to the UK and launching at Moda Beach is Portugese label Emar with its bold swimwear collection, French swimwear brand Iodus presenting its new range featuring unusual shapes and fabrics and Jamu of Australia designed by Lydia Leong.
The impressive brand line-up also includes Gottex, Gideon Oberson, Moontide, Moontide Eclipse, Calvin Klein Swimwear, Sunflair, Opera, Sunmarin, Miraclesuit, Magicsuit, Pour Moi, Anita Rosa Faia, Anita Maternity, Penbrooke, Kiwi Saint Tropez, Banana Moon, Bond-Eye, Panache, Seaspray and many more.
(Added July 7, 2009)
More names head to Moda Platform
This season’s new contemporary womenswear zone, Moda Platform has added more names to its line-up, including iconic knitwear label John Smedley showcasing its new look womenswear line, British label Pepper Tree with its vibrant line of printed dresses and contemporary Italian/Turkish label Tarsiani.
New menswear additions to Moda Platform in August include premium Italian tailoring label Facis, Calvin Klein accessories, joining Calvin Klein underwear, and Gabicci Vintage presenting its retro casual wear collection. US menswear label Robert Graham, known for its highly unique shirts, will be bringing its original approach to design to Moda Platform for the first time and retro casualwear label Gola Classics also makes its debut this season.
(Added July 4, 2009)
More great footwear names added to line-up
Moda Footwear will present an even wider range of exciting footwear names this August.
New shoe brands joining the UK’s leading footwear show include contemporary women’s brand Strutt Couture, presenting its collection of cutting edge footwear and its new collection designed by Zandra Rhodes.
And launching at Moda Footwear is new brand FIVE, created by Manchetser United and England footballer Rio Ferdinand. The signature range of men’s footwear also includes complementing accessories.
New this season is international label Firetrap. This strong fashion led collection for men and women features the synonymous ‘Firetrap’ style, with sporty influence and classic styling.
Also confirmed is London inspired label Feud, introducing its inventive women’s collection for those looking for something different.
These leading labels, amongst many other exciting names, will be at Moda Footwear, the UK’s leading footwear event.
(Added June 30, 2009)
Swimwear is heading to Moda…
Moda, the UK’s largest trade fashion exhibition, will be launching a brand new swim and beachwear zone at this August’s event, which runs at the NEC, Birmingham from 9-11 August.
Moda Beach will bring together the best brands from across the industry at an event which already offers buyers from across the UK and Ireland the most comprehensive overview of the new season’s clothing and accessories collections. Offering adjacencies with both womenswear show Moda Woman and with Moda Accessories, Moda Beach will place swimwear firmly in the context of fashion.
Moda Beach responds to calls from across the swimwear industry for a stylish, fashion-led event at a venue that’s easily accessible to buyers from all areas of the UK and Ireland, and to demand from existing Moda visitors keen to view and buy swimwear at the show.
(Added April 17, 2009)
Moda Platform launches at Moda Woman
August 2009 will see the launch of a brand new area dedicated to new and niche womenswear names. Moda platform, launched at Moda Menswear in August 2008 and tripled in size for February ‘09, featured an impressive list of contemporary and heritage labels. Following its success, Platform will be extended to Moda Woman at the next show.
“We’ve had a lot of interest from contemporary and niche brands, wanting to come to Moda Woman this season. After the success of Moda Platform in menswear, we are excited about bringing a similar concept to our womenswear show.” Sarah Moody, Event Director, Moda Woman
(Added April 15, 2009)
Returning to Moda menswear
Moda Menswear will again bring together the brands which matter to today’s menswear retailers, mixing major names from across Europe with new arrivals from both the UK and overseas. Returning to Moda after an absence is quality German label Campione and international label Pierre Cardin.
(Added April 15, 2009)
New additions to Moda Platform
Launched at Moda Menswear in August 2008 and tripled in size for February ‘09, Moda Platform featured an impressive list of contemporary and heritage labels not seen at the show before.
The latest new menswear additions to Moda Platform in August include premium Italian tailoring label Facis, Calvin Klein accessories, joining Calvin Klein underwear, and Gabicci Vintage presenting their retro casual wear collection.
(Added April 15, 2009)