Report from Prêt-à-Porter Paris

It has been a busy few days at the Porte de Versailles. From the 4-7 of September Prêt-à-Porter Paris held its new edition “Dans l’Air” in Hall 7 on Levels 1 and 2 under the headings of Less and Excess, the two leading trends this season, played out across eight section and a plethora of events, conferences and catwalks.

This edition seemed to satisfy the exhibitors. Jérôme Schatzman, director general of Tudo Bom?, stated that “there are fewer who are just curious and more professionals. The proportion of visitors who are buyers is much higher than usual.” Another positive change was that their brand had “taken orders and [they] could spend an hour with a client, whereas before the majority only looked very quickly.” Even if some companies present regretted that it was “too quiet”, this was far from being the prevailing opinion of the show.

For Alessa, owner of the eponymous brand which is sold at Colette, PAPP is “the best place to do business and to celebrate afterward.” She highlighted that her clients “made the trip for the trade show both for the event but also for the city.” Results “are good” and she estimated that of everyone she met, in addition to her existing contacts, around “70% were new clients from the four corners of the world: Greece, Brazil, Japan, Germany, Lebanon, Saudia Arabia, Italy, Spain…”

As for jewelry brand Augustine, who had previously taken part in Eclat de Mode, PAPP with The Box kept its promise of offering “a package. We like it and our clients do as well. The idea and the presentation are more chic and we have more space here,” confirmed the brand’s representatives.

Upcoming trade shows include the Living Room from 16-18 September, The Train The Box New York from 20-22 September and Atmosphère’s and The Box Paris from 2-5 October.

By Jonathan Fulwell (Source: Julie Mangaud)