In a difficult economic climate, choosing quality is essential. International buyers made clear their choice by once again selecting Première Vision Pluriel, where they are sure to find creative and different products, and where, in their view, the opportunity to work remains without equivalent.

They came in force, from all points of the globe, throughout the four days of the session (19 – 22 February 2008), with the result being that the 5 Première Vision Pluriel events (Expofil, Première Vision, Le Cuir à Paris, Indigo and Mod’Amont) all registered stable or increased numbers of visitors. A fine performance.

Première Vision/Expofil: a session full of energy

“ Other shows are definitely not replacements for Première Vision. We never miss Première Vision, as the best exhibitors are always here. In term of shows and discovering what’s out there, Première Vision is still our top priority”. These words from Brenda Hogan, cloth buyer at the British firm Jacques Vert – Windsmoor well reflect the state of mind of many buyers who came to our Paris events, explaining the fine score recorded for this February 2008 session.The fibre producers and spinners at Expofil, together with the Première Vision weavers, gathered in one space, together registered 48,483 visits from professionals, an increase of 1.5% over the February 2007 session. International visitors, one of the strongest points of Première Vision visitors, continues to progress.It represents over 75% of the total number of visitors, some 30% of whom come from overseas. For the major European markets, Italy, the 3rd visitor country (outside of France), showed the most notable increase, with a rise of 13.7%. Great Britain, the number one visitor country (excluding France), saw a perceptible rise of 3.8%. Also showing slight increases where Spain and Greece.

As for Austria, with over 300 visits, it registered a record increase of 75.2% The Eastern European countries and the Balkans also strengthened their presence, especially Russia (+20.5%), Croatia (+54.2%), the Czech Republic (+46.5%), Romania (+22.2%) and Slovenia (+7.4%), together representing a significant total of 737 visits. Among overseas countries, Latin America showed a rise of +5.5 percent, driven especially by Brazil (+15.1%), Chile (+54.5%) and Mexico (+1.9%).

As for North America, buyers remained faithful to the Paris rendez-vous, with nearly 2,700 visits, an exceptional level given the economic climate. In Asia, China stood out with an increase of +40%, as does India (+24.7%), and South Korea (+4.7%). Japan, with over 1,800 visits, maintains its position as one of the leading visiting countries. Buyers turned out in number, they also stayed longer: on average, the time spent at the salon exceeded two days. This duration, which is once again on the rise, is a supplementary sign of the richness of Première Vision’s offer and its attractiveness.

As for exhibitors, while they were satisfied by the number of visitors coming to their stands, most of them also underlined the quality of the buyers they encountered over the four days, and the highly positive business climate: major clients and leading fashion houses were present - even if in certain cases teams were scaled down - and above all, they were writing orders. In short, a salon full of energy, resonating with the spirit of the spring summer 09 fashion season, whose creations showcased boldness, freshness, colour and a thirst for a determined optimism.

They came, they loved working here, they spoke: “ I really like the purple and red colours this season. At Première Vision, there is always something new and it’s great that there is so much under one roof”. F. Kabbani, managing director, NA Kabbani (UK) “ I worked in the top-of-the-range, for Jil Sander, and Première Vision was the rendez-vous not to be missed.”

Now, for Tom Tailor, which is more mainstream, the situation is the same – “it’s the occasion you cannot miss. “ Hanna Streif, Unit Design Men, Tom Tailor (Germany) “I come to look for new suppliers and here everything is in one place, it’s a great chance to see everyone and everything. I don’t really need to go anywhere else.”

Corinna Baba, head designer, 19RM (UK) “I had not been to Première Vision for three years, and I am updating my travel calendar. Everything is inspiring here, even for those of us not working directly in textiles.”

Stéphanie Belt, Beiersdorf Nivea Beauté (Germany) “I always get ideas here. I find it very inspirational. There is a difference every season and you do feel like you get a proper update here. Première Vision is not to be missed.”

Bella Epps, designer, Billy Bag (UK). Reaffirming its status as a show that is a specialist in men’s as well as in women’s and junior’s fashions, Première Vision unveiled the first results of “masculin pluriel - men & fashion/the future” during the salon. This major international survey was entrusted to the specialised firm of RISC International.

Packed audiences attended both presentations of the results, which were held during the salon. These presentations brought together a total of nearly 600 exhibitors, buyers and journalists, all come to discover the portrait that was sketched out of man in the 21st century. The study’s second phase, a qualitative approach entrusted to the French Fashion Institute, will be unveiled at the eptember 2008 salon, along with other events dedicated to men’s fashions.

Upcoming rendez-vous

• Première Vision Moscou

4-5 March 2008 / Le Manège / www.premierevision.ru

• Jitac European Textile Fair / Tokyo

25-27 March 2008 / Tokyo International Forum / www.jitac.jp

• Première Vision Shanghai

2-3 April 2008 / Shanghai Exhibition Center / www.premierevision.cn

• Denim by Première Vision

4-5 June 2008 / Paris / www.denimbypremierevision.com

• Première Vision Preview New York

16-17 July 2008 / New York / www.premierevision-newyork.com

• Première Vision Pluriel at the Parc d’expositions de Paris-Nord Villepinte

23 to 26 September 2008 (autumn winter 2009/2010 fashion season)

10 to 13 February 2009 (spring summer 2010 fashion season)