Premiere edition of GLS

Those interested in top-class, international leather goods should not miss out on the premiere of GLS - International Event for Leather Goods & More - in Düsseldorf. Global players in branded products will represent a cross-section of all leathergoods segments from March 5-7, 2006. Coinciding with GDS - The Premier Shoe Event - a new, dynamic exhibition duo will emerge promising to give visitors a perfect insight into the lifestyle world as a whole. This combination of leathergoods and shoes not only generates valuable synergies but also corresponds to the needs of a market whose borders are becoming increasingly blurred. The idea of complete outfits is gaining more and more importance and, as a result, accessories are increasingly moving to the fore. This is why many footwear and apparel brands have taken to creating entire lifestyle worlds including their own accessory lines. This trend has, of course, also been detected by many leathergoods manufacturers who have opted to participate at GLS. So far, 174 exhibitors (as of 10 January 2006) from 11 nations (domestic, European and overseas countries) have registered as participants at the premiere event - and figures are rising. By the start of GLS, Messe Düsseldorf expects to receive further international registrations. Which means the minimum target figure of 150 exhibitors has been surpassed already. The companies already registering include such multi-national branded product manufacturers as L.Credi, abro, VOGT of Florence, s.Oliver, Mexx and Medici. 'We view GLS as the perfect platform to present s.Oliver accessories in an international environment. Added to this, we appreciate the close connection with GDS - The Premier Shoe Event, where we are also prominently represented with s.Oliver shoes. This allows us to showcase our products embedded in the s.Oliver lifestyle world, underline the perfect coordination of our accessories with the various s.Oliver segments and generate synergies with our customers', says Sibylle Weller-Theer, Head of Licenses & Accessories. All in all, s.Oliver run 49 of their own stores, approximately 240 stores as joint-ventures with partners and are represented in 1,000 shops and on 1,330 retail areas. On an international scale, the brands of the s.Oliver Group are retailed in 30 countries. The company is among Europe's largest fashion firms. S.Oliver accessories has been around since 1997, features women's and men's bags, small leathergoods and belts and is considered a key division for the firm's growth strategy. According to s.Oliver, licences and accessories are anticipated to account for 15% of the corporate turnover in 2006. Another company represented with their own stand at GLS is Mexx, the multi-national firm marketing fashion and accessories for women, men and kids in over 50 countries. Established in 1980, this company has developed into a global lifestyle brand retailing their products both at their own stores and at renowned department stores but also at chain stores, the Mexx eShop and at independent retail stores around the globe. Medici Grimm GmbH & Co KG will also be participating at the debut GLS event. Explaining this decision General Manager Grimm said: 'We wish to internationalise our customerbase even further and GLS is the ideal platform to do so.' Medici Grimm GmbH & Co KG was founded in 1933 in the Hessian town of Rodgau in Germany and is a family-run business in its third generation. The product portfolio of the traditional firm includes high-fashion, classical and elegant ladies' handbags in select Italian materials. An extension of the range to include small leathergoods is also underway. Medici places utmost emphasis on high-quality finish and top-class quality in every aspect. Alongside the excellent exhibitors there are obviously many other reasons for visiting the GDS. One of them being the particularly favourable advance sales conditions for retailers. Those deciding fast and registering online can save up to 30% on the regular ticket price. For detailed information on admission fees, exhibitors, trends and GLS in general go to [http://www.gls-fair.com]