By welcoming 53,156 visitors from 127 countries to its latest edition, Première Vision Paris illustrated the strength of its leadership and influence in the global creative fashion industry. Its 70% international visitorship is particularly notable for its attention to luxury and high quality, demonstrating the show’s robustness in the face of strong political and economic uncertainties in world markets.

This impressive performance was nonetheless marked by a slight decline in visitor numbers; 2.3% less than this time last year, a direct consequence of the market’s jitteriness in light of Brexit. UK fashion brands and buyers are playing it safe, solidifying fears and slowing down decision-making. This is evidenced by a significant 16% decline in UK visitors, which alone accounts for two thirds of the decline in attendance at the show.

Première Vision remains a catalyst for the creative fashion sector throughout the three-day show, with a selective, transversal offering up by 3.3% compared with the show last year, attracting 1,782 exhibitors. The Trend Tasting seminars, along with the Première Vision fashion forums, were all very well attended, encompassing the trends for spring/summer 2020.

There was also an enthusiastic response to the Première Vision Marketplace, now being adopted by industry professionals as a complementary tool to enhance their sales development and communications. The physical implementation of the Marketplace at the show was a success with buyers from major international brands and exhibitors. Launched last September with the weavers’ collections, the digital platform integrated tanners in February, while denim-makers will go online in May, followed by accessories and components manufacturers in September. The third edition of the Wearable Lab, developed as a hotspot for meetings, enjoyed a constant flow of foot traffic. With start-ups, innovative materials, embedded technologies, expert conferences and more, the space dedicated to Fashion Tech bustled.

An emphasis on innovation

Visitors searched for the latest materials innovations – yarns, fibres, fabrics, leathers, textile designs and accessories – and manufacturing solutions tailored to the development of spring/summer 2020 collections This premium visitorship ranged from independent designers to international groups, including small and medium-sized companies. Luxury houses, medium and high-end fashion to accessories brands and mass retailers – all were strongly represented.