So you’ve had your vaccine and can’t wait to get back on the show floor? Well, we’ve got some good news (finally!): summer’s UK trade shows are back on! If you’re desperate to get back to seeing multiple brands all under one roof, here’s what we know so far about this year’s planned events…
INDX WOMENSWEAR AND FOOTWEAR
27-29 July 2021, Cranmore Park, Solihull
After a 15-month interval, INDX Womenswear and Footwear returns to Solihull this 27 – 29 July offering standout products, atmosphere and facilities especially for independent fashion buyers. The show is the only event of its kind, combining a professional yet relaxed buying environment with an abundance of exciting brands. Visitors can expect to find women’s lifestyle, footwear and headwear from established and emerging labels. The event is organised for buyers by buyers and includes a range of benefits for attendees.
Jane Bartlett, head of events for Cranmore Park, comments: “We’re delighted to confirm our trade shows will return for summer 2021. The INDX team is passionate about creating live experiences for members and visitors to engage with suppliers in the independent retail arena, and gain a real sense of the wide range of products and offers available.
“It’s been amazing to see the huge appetite among exhibitors to experience that buzz of a live event again and reconnect with customers in a face-to-face environment and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back to INDX shows once again.”
With the UK government research into pilot events due to conclude with the easing of legal restrictions at large scale shows in the coming weeks, INDX are constantly reviewing safety at the venue to keep ahead of prevailing regulations.
Bartlett adds: “Delivering events safely will unquestionably be our priority, so not only will we be monitoring the government guidelines closely over the next few weeks, we’ll also be implementing a variety of our own measures to ensure the confidence of visitors, exhibitors and staff. While some of our shows may have evolved to reflect these enhanced standards, essentially our focus will remain on providing that unique opportunity to re-connect.”
CONTACT: Indxshows.co.uk/indx-fashion/womenswear/exhibitors
HARROGATE FASHION WEEK
1-2 August, Harrogate Convention Centre, Harrogate
Set to open at 9.30am on Sunday 1 August, the next edition of Harrogate Fashion Week will take place at its usual venue, the Harrogate Convention Centre, right in the heart of the town. As one of the only womenswear trade shows to be held during the summer months, it is expected to be popular among independent boutiques and brands.
The exhibition will run for two days and showcase SS22 collections from 100 brands including Sahara, Jayley, Lily and Me, Pomodoro, Claire Desjardins, The Bamboo Wardrobe and Passioni. Meanwhile, Carol C Collections will present Foil, Orientique, Oopera and Tirelli. There’s also a range of new brands exhibiting this season including Teresa Ripoli, Luis Civit, Beaumont Organics, Bariloche, Tinta, I.nco, Kiraku and Rupert and Buckley.
Organisers say there will be more special occasionwear at the event than any other UK trade show, with key brands John Charles, Lizabella, Gabriella Sanchez, Veromia Occasions, Irresistible and Gill Harvey. The show will also feature a new Prom Pavilion featuring Rachel Allan and Special Day. Footwear and accessory brands already reserved are Legero, Caprice, Burkely, Spezzatura and Lunar plus hats from Snoxell and Gwyther, Max and Ellie and The Niche Collection.
The picturesque spa town of Harrogate is easy to travel to by rail or car while special rates have been negotiated for attendees at the nearby Hotel St George and the Crown Plaza.
Join the HFW team and exhibitors for a drinks party on Sunday 1 August to celebrate the first day of the show and a toast to the industry for sustaining this most difficult year. Tickets are also available for the Exhibition Dinner Party.
CONTACT: Harrogatefashionweek.com
AUTUMN FAIR AND MODA
5-8 September 2021, NEC Birmingham
After over a year away from in-person events, the Hyve Group has announced that Autumn Fair will return to the NEC Birmingham this September. The show will follow the organiser’s ‘Refuelling Retail’ manifesto to help reinvigorate the industry and provide the essential networking and product inspiration we’ve all missed during the pandemic.
Bringing an even more exciting proposition to the halls of the NEC Birmingham, Autumn Fair will be co-located with Hyve Group’s fashion trade show Moda. Situated alongside Jewellery and Watch and Fashion (JWF), Moda’s co-location will provide even more crossover buying and selling opportunities, creating a definitive fashion destination within the UK’s leading home, gift and lifestyle trade show.
Working in line with Hyve Group’s Safe and Secure guidelines, Autumn Fair will provide a space for Covid-safe trading, networking, inspiration and more as the retail industry gets back up and running.
Autumn Fair promises to provide a compelling line-up of exhibitors including TY UK, Big Metal, Joe Davies, The Art File, The English Soap Company, Kidicraft, Dcuk, Kikkerland, Ashleigh & Burwood, East of India, Paper Salad, Rush Design, D&J Glassware, Sifcon, Bomb Cosmetics, Coach House, Hill Interiors, Pacific Lifestyle, Ultimate Products, Rex International, Richard Lang & Son, Korbond Group, Price’s Patent Candles and many more.
New exhibitors in the line up also include Willsow, Chalk UK, Bachmann Europe, Peony & Pine, Emotional Rescue Scream Pretty, Brands Ltd, Emily Victoria Candles and Rainbow Design.
Julie Driscoll, MD for Hyve’s UK retail and fashion portfolio, comments: “We are delighted to finally be returning to the thing we do best; market-leading events facilitating trade, collaboration and creativity. We’re working hard to make our in-person shows safe and secure and we can’t wait to welcome our community back to the NEC Birmingham after such a long time apart.’’
Autumn Fair’s return has been welcomed by leading industry association Bira. Its commercial director, Jeff Moody, says, “Bira are delighted to be at Autumn Fair as our independent retailers are so eager to see new product ranges and reconnect with suppliers and fellow retailers. It’s been such a long time since the industry has been able to meet together and Autumn Fair will be a much-awaited opportunity for the industry to reunite.”
CONTACT: autumnfair.com
SCOOP X PURE
Tuesday 7 September – Thursday 9 September 2021, The Old Truman Brewery, London
This September, Scoop and Pure London will unite for an exciting buying experience at the Old Truman Brewery. Designed to offer an exclusive and safe buying experience, the event will also be co-located alongside Pure Origin, bringing the entire fashion supply chain under one roof. Curated by Scoop founder and MD Karen Radley, Scoop X Pure will highlight the most exciting collections and labels across both shows’ rosters. The event will offer a department store style atmosphere showcasing emerging and established UK and international fashion designers across men’s and womenswear alongside a selected edit of home and lifestyle products.
After listening closely to exhibitor and retailer feedback, organiser the Hyve Group has moved away from Scoop and Pure London’s traditional weekend datelines for this season only. Now taking place on Tuesday 7 September to Thursday 9 September, its mid-week dateline will tie in with retailers’ visits to Shoreditch-based showrooms, allowing them to return to their shops in time for busy weekend peak periods. Additionally, the change in date reflects the wider market, allowing brands that exhibit at international trade shows to join the line up.
Pure London event director Gloria Sandrucci comments: “With wider aisles and more floor space, we’ll be able to create an open environment in which social distancing is possible, while capturing the character of Scoop X Pure. Shoreditch is one of London’s fashion hubs, and with such a dynamic and creative atmosphere we are confident the show will provide a new and exciting buying experience this season.”
CONTACT: Purelondon.com/scoop-x-pure