PRESTIGE 2006 returns to Dubai with bigger presence

The exhibition is aimed at the high-end fashion market and runs from September 17-19, 2006.

The decision to expand the profile of this year's exhibition follows the overwhelming response received in 2005. Taking place at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre, the event will cover 4,000 square metres - a 25 per cent increase over last year.

More than 160 fashion brands from 18 participating countries will showcase the latest trends in womenswear, menswear, lingerie, footwear, swimwear, leather goods, sportswear, children's wear and accessories from their 2007 Spring/Summer collections. The show will provide an opportunity for buyers, retailers, distributors and sales mediators from around the Gulf to meet with leading international fashion houses and designers.

'PRESTIGE has proved to be an ideal platform for fashion houses across Europe, the US and Asia to understand the requirements of GCC markets,'

said Michael Mueller, Managing Director, planetfair Dubai LLC.

'The GCC is an important market for international lifestyle brands. With the number of new shopping malls and retail outlets coming on board in the region, PRESTIGE is an opportunity to exhibit brands to an audience committed to establishing the region as an important fashion hub,' he added.

The 2006 event will feature country pavilions from Greece, Germany, Thailand, France and Italy. Other exhibiting countries include Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Hong Kong, Japan, Latvia, Lebanon, Spain, Turkey, the United States, United Kingdom and the UAE.

'Compared to last year, we have seen a 38 per cent increase in the number of participating countries which not only confirms the growing success of the show but also means more variety and products on offer for visitors,' added Mueller.

PRESTIGE will add a new dimension to this year's event with the introduction of 'Lingerie Arabia 2006', the first-ever specialised event for lingerie in the Middle East. This section will feature 60 upper-medium to high-end lingerie brands and related products.

Participating in Lingerie Arabia will be leaders from the European lingerie industry such as Barbara, Chantelle, Huit, Group La Perla, Lejaby, Morera, Simone Pérèle, Passionata, Ravage and Falke. Lingerie Francaise, an association representing high-end lingerie brands in France, will also extend their support to Lingerie Arabia.

'Lingerie Arabia is a further acknowledgement of the fact that there exists a huge market for quality and fashionable lingerie in the Middle East,' explained Mueller. 'This new section will introduce Middle East customers to the latest trends in underwear, night wear and beachwear.'

Running alongside the exhibition, planetfair has also organised a one-day seminar on the development of shop-in-shop concepts, multi-brand store partnerships and franchising concepts for the Gulf on September 17 from 4pm to 7pm.

Key partners for this year's event are the Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The high quality standard of the exhibition is supervised by ITMM (International Textile and Fashion Marketing and Management) and EFTEC (European Fashion and Textile Export Council), Brussels.

PRESTIGE 2006 will run from 11am to 7pm from September 17 to 19, 2006 in Hall 4 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre. The exhibition is open to trade visitors only.