High fashion trade fair gets nod from GCC retailers

The twice annual show showcased over 160 leading European fashion and footwear brands, and welcomed over 1,600 trade buyers and retailers from around the GCC region.

The three day fair introduced mens' and women' Spring / Summer 2005 collections, footwear, and leather accessories, and provided an opportunity for retail buyers to place advance purchases for new lines and collections. PRESTIGE showcases 'character brands'; those fashion collections that are positioned mid-to-upper market, and attract the modern lifestyle-oriented consumer seeking something unique.

'PRESTIGE provides brands from Europe with a fast track entry into the lucrative GCC markets. Many exhibitors were newcomers to the region, and the majority have reported that they made valuable business contacts with regional retailers,' stated Michael Muller, planetfair, the event organisers.

'It's the second time I participated in PRESTIGE. Ten stores from Dubai and five from neighbouring countries are now interested in our collection. These contacts are invaluable,' said Eva Hunter, L'Altra Donna, an Italian womenswear brand.

'PRESTIGE is a meeting point for people involved in international trade. We made contacts in buyers from Lebanon, Syrian, Qatar, Saudi Arabian, and other countries. I intend to participate in future PRESTIGE shows as it proved to be an effective marketing tool to boost sales and enter new markets,' commented exhibitor, Stefano Napoleone, Marta Intimo, a Turkish lingerie manufacturer.

Well-known brands including Versace, Escada, Givenchy, Porsche Design, Calvin Klein, Bogner, and Krizia were on display, as were many European brands never before seen in the region.

'Due to the population growth taking place throughout the region, and the huge investment that is being pumped into real estate and retail complexes, the future of retail potential in the Gulf is enormous,' said Reinhard E. Dopfer, Managing Director of the European Fashion and Textile Export Council (EFTEC), Brussels, official sponsors of PRESTIGE.

'The key to satisfying an increasingly style conscious and sophisticated Middle Eastern consumer is to promote diversity of brands in the market. PRESTIGE is a platform for the introduction of such unique character brands,' he continued.

During the show, national pavilions highlighted the most up and coming new European fashion labels; over 37 famous footwear brands alone were represented in the Italian pavilion.

'In addition to Italy and Germany, next season, Spain has agreed to host a pavilion, and Austria, France, Canada and the USA are all looking to increase their participation,' said Muller.

The next PRESTIGE show is scheduled to take place at the Dubai World trade Centre in mid-March 2005, and will showcase the Autumn / Winter 2005/6 collections. The fair is scheduled to fit in with European collection previews, making it easy for exhibitors to go from one event to the other.