Premiere Vision Pluriel has reported increased visitor numbers at all of its six shows (Expofil, Première Vision, Indigo, Le Cuir à Paris, ModAmont, Zoom by Fatex), which were held in Paris last week from 9-12 February.

Over 40,000 fashion professionals viewed the proposals of over 1500 exhibitors, an overall increase of 6.3% over the February 2009 edition. PV issued the following press release today:

With local and high speed trains delayed and out of service for several hours Wednesday, highways blocked by ice and snow in various European countries and airports in New York closed, there appeared to be a collusion of technological and meteorological forces last week. And yet, in spite of this accumulation of handicaps, what emerges above all from the February 2010 edition is the excellent visitor results, both in quality and quantity. One can only imagine what they would have been without the travel disruptions! To compensate for the delayed arrival of buyers Wednesday, the shows extended their opening hours that day.

The six Première Vision Pluriel shows (Expofil, Première Vision, Indigo, Le Cuir à Paris, ModAmont, Zoom by Fatex) all registered increases. Together, they showed a rise in the number of visits by 6.3% over the comparable year-ago session (February 2009). Highly motivated international buyers voiced surprise and enthusiasm for the bold propositions of the some 1,500 exhibitors gathered from 9 - 12 February 2010 at the Parc d'Expositions de Paris Nord Villepinte.

With buyers clearly manifesting a renewed desire to stand out, the shows comprising Première Vision Pluriel accelerated the dynamic begun last September and provided a new demonstration of the leadership position of this unique gathering of shows. A performance that is a good omen for the economic evolution of businesses in the fashion world.

Première Vision/Expofil: edition marks a memorable step on the road to recovery

An unquestionably energetic mood pervaded the last show. No longer a merely promising tremor, but a true bubbling-up of energy was remarked by many visitors and exhibitors, who emphasised the session's overall positive vibe.

This energy was conveyed above all in terms of visitor figures, though inevitable disparities emerge depending on country and sector.

Overall, Première Vision and Expofil together registered 40,870 visits from fashion professionals, a rise of 5% over the February 2009 edition. The rate of international visitors continues to be remarkable, at over 71% of the total.

Europe showed an increase in visitors (+ 3.9 %), with Sweden (+ 21 %), The Netherlands (+ 15.4 %), Great Britain (+ 11.9 %) and Italy (+ 8.5 %) showing some of the largest increases. France also showed a rise, with an increase of + 5.6 % in visitors.

To the east, the Baltic countries taken as a whole gained ground, with record increases for Latvia (+ 66.7 %) and Lithuania (+ 44.2 %). Russia showed a notable progression (+ 41.3 %) and for the first time made it into the top-15 visitor countries. Ukraine demonstrated similar dynamism, with a + 21.6 % rise in visitor numbers.

Turkey also showed a strong increase (+ 31.6 %) and now ranks 9th among visiting countries. In Asia, while Japanese and Chinese attendance weakened, with trips undoubtedly impacted by New Year celebrations, South Korea and Hong Kong strengthened their presence, with respective increases of + 45.1 % and + 31.7 % Both American continents saw increases, notably, for Latin America, Mexico (+ 38.4 %), Chile (+ 25 %), Brazil (+ 23 %) and, for North America, The United States (+ 15.7 %).

By coming to Première Vision, buyers are choosing the efficacy of a large and highly creative offer that allows them to stand out. Said Edina Ronay (UK): “The show is great because it is where everybody is and it saves us time - instead of visiting several shops we can source all we need in four days…”

Efficiency, the creativity of updated collections, a source of inspiration, fashion information and forums...the show's advantages appeal even to major brands of neighbouring sectors. As Sébastien Gass, Head of Product Management at Swatch (Switzerland), pointed out: "I have to come to Première Vision, even though later we have to find applications that are specific to the watch and jewellery sectors, which are obviously not found here. But Première Vision remains a must-see for its transversal impact."

Buyers showed a high degree of energy, truly reflecting one of the key words for spring summer 2011: movement.

A corner has been turned. Fabric choices are staking out ever more relaxed fashions. Boundaries between tailoring and casualwear are disappearing. Finishings originating in sportswear are broadening their zones of influence, emerging on ever more refined bases. Fantasy opens a new dialogue between fabric freshness and decorative opulence. Buyers are (enormously) tempted by liveliness and definitively won over by fluidity.

Accompanying (and intensifying) this energy, the new design of the show was applauded by exhibitors and visitors. "Refined," "limpid," "fresh," and "simple," were the adjectives heard often in the aisles and stands to describe this white city, the new face of Première Vision.

The serene and futuristic atmosphere was found to be quite stimulating as well. As Christopher Lai, Vice President of Toppy Trading (Hong Kong), pointed out: "It is more pleasant, more open. That makes me feel like I'm in space. It gives a totally new feeling on the new generation of 2010.”

And Olga Vilshenko, creative director of Omela (UK), added: “The new layout brings such an energetic vibe. It was quite shocking on the first day to see everything so bright. I really liked it!”

After the enthusiasm generated by this edition, the stage is set for the autumn winter 2011-12 collections, to be presented from Tuesday 14 to Thursday 16 September 2010, at Paris-Nord Villepinte. The passage to three days, for all the Première Vision Pluriel shows, is in answer to a call from a by-now majority of exhibitors, who must address buyers' new working rhythms, and who want a more concentrated formula.

Before that time, Première Vision will be seeing professionals throughout the globe for the shows it organises in the world's leading fashion markets.

Première Vision Fashion & Salon Info

Upcoming international dates

• Première Vision Moscou

10 - 11 March 2010 / www.premierevision.ru

• Première Vision Tokyo / Jitac

23 - 25 March 2010 / www.premierevision-jitac.jp

• Première Vision China Beijing

31 March - 1 April 2010 / www.premierevision.cn

• Denim by Première Vision

2 - 3 June 2010, Paris / Halle Freyssinet / www.denimbypremierevision.com

• Première Vision Preview New York

14 - 15 July 2010 / www.premierevision-newyork.com

• Première Brasil / Sao Paulo

21 - 22 July 2010 / www.premierebrasil.biz

• Première Vision - Première Vision Pluriel / Paris

Tuesday 14 to Thursday 16 September 2010

www.premierevision.fr / www.premierevision-pluriel.com

Première Vision Pluriel dates in 2011

• Tuesday 8 to Thursday 10 February 2011

• Tuesday 20 to Thursday 22 September 2011

www.premierevision.fr  / www.premierevision-pluriel.com