Visitors up 37 per cent for Première Vision Paris

PARIS – Fashion trade show Première Vision Paris returned from July 4 to 8 to showcase the latest FW23/24 collections – and visiting figures are up. The event has previously been held in September and is a staple of the trade fair calendar. The shift to July saw the show attract 23,377 visitors, a 10 per cent up compared to its February 2022 show and a 37 per cent increase compared to September 2021.

Most fashion and textile trade fairs have tentatively been reopening their doors to business this past 12-months, although many are now running hybrid events – a mixture of online and in person. That said, with Covid rates on the rise in much of Europe, the German authorities are already discussing the return of some restrictions in autumn. This could impact live events and is significant given Germany is a key strategic location on the textile events calendar.

At Première Vision Paris, 69 per cent of visitors were internationals, including a large return of visitors from the US and Korea.

The majority of visitors came from Europe, with Italy in the lead, followed by France, the UK, Spain, Portugal, and Germany.

Organisers said solid numbers validated the decision to change the dates of the event in order to better cater to the evolving cycles of the fashion industry, as well as to the needs of manufacturers.

Gilles Lasbordes, general manager of Première Vision, said: “We are pleased to have finally been able to respond to market demand with a new agenda that has been brought forward by two months.

“The creativity of our offer, the energy of our visitors, the return of distant markets, the challenge of eco-responsibility, and the success of the new services we offer are all strong and encouraging signs that we are able to sustain our activity despite the current context.”