INDX WOMAN organisers say its February 2023 edition achieved double digit growth in both buyer and exhibitors numbers compared to last year’s event in July.
Curated by buying group Associated Independent Stores (AIS), the Solihull-based show celebrated its 10-year anniversary with several major operational changes including the merger of INDX Womenswear and Footwear and INDX Accessories into a singular show.
As well as dedicated accessories and footwear areas, INDX Woman also included the recently introduced Retail Insights segment, which allowed visitors to network and learn from retail trailblazers.
This season’s exhibitors included Dutch brand Sandwich, which chose INDX as its sole show this year, as well as womenswear brand Alice Collins and handbag and luggage specialist Nova Leathers. High street shoe manufacturer and retailer Clarks also joined the line up for the first time.
James Crabtree, head of fashion at AIS, comments: “We’ve received some really positive feedback from both exhibitors and visitors off the back of our February show. We are focused on providing a curated mix of brands across categories that are centred on womenswear, and understand the importance of being able to provide a truly complete buying environment in order to ensure that independents continue to be supported.”
Key tends
Key trends in womenswear this season included oversized shirts, wide-leg trousers, knitwear and denim, with neutral colour palettes and retro patterns also featuring heavily. Chunky wedges and flatforms led for footwear, with sequin and embellished boots and slingbacks also key for the AW23 season. In accessories, there was a noticeable transition to softer leather textures for a more relaxed silhouette, while darker colour stones drop earrings and large cuff bracelets round out the season for jewellery.
Andy Smith, sales agent at exhibitor Jana Shoes, said: “We recently returned to INDX, with this being our second show since coming back, and it’s definitely been the right decision for us. The current climate is forcing people to place orders much earlier in the season and we chose INDX because it’s so well-timed as well as being a focused order-writing show.
“The trade show landscape has changed so much in the last 10 years and exhibitors need to be able to demonstrate ROI more clearly, which is why I think INDX is seeing a resurgence with a lot of key players in the market. We’ve certainly had to make some important decisions with regards to where we prioritise our exhibition budgets.
“The INDX shows seem to have a new lease of life in the past year or so, and the organisers are clearly responsive to what’s going on in the world around us to make sure it’s well-suited to both suppliers and visitors.”