During leading fashion trade event MODA at the NEC Birmingham, its owners, the ITE Group have announced increased visitor numbers across all of its Fashion Portfolio shows and a 3-year plan of investment, support and growth to offer exhibitors and visitors incredible events to promote trade and offer unique platforms for all fashion buying needs.

Julie Driscoll, UK Regional Director at ITE Group revealed her vision for the Fashion Portfolio during a successful MODA saying: “This is the first time all the shows (Pure London incorporating manufacturing and sourcing expo Pure Origin, Moda, Jacket Required and Scoop) have been part of the same portfolio. Each show has its own wonderful identity and distinct USP’s. We now offer a show for every buyer and a show for every brand or designer. Our shows have an answer for whatever your fashion business needs. Our three-year plan will see investment across the shows including new appointments, shared intelligence and data analysis, the development of our educational content programmes and the continued commitment towards sustainability through our Power of One campaign. Working together as a portfolio, each show benefits from the knowledge and experience of the teams and their networks, but they will continue to be run separately as they are each unique. We are committed to investing in each of the shows, building on our visitor acquisition programme, delivering newness, innovation and creativity. Each event is tailored to meet the specific needs of buyers across the UK, in Europe and around the world. We understand and champion their uniqueness, their separate locations, their demographics and individual propositions. Each are market leaders in their own right and it is our vision to continue that and facilitate the best fashion buying experiences in the UK.”

 

HISTORY IN THE MAKING AT MODA AND ‘THIS IS ME’ CAMPAIGN PROMOTES DIVERSITY Leading fashion trade event, MODA, is delighted to announce its collaboration with De Montfort University Footwear Design BA (Hons) course and launched the inaugural History in the Making Footwear Design Competition. This exciting initiative showcases incredible young talent and the future of footwear design and the winner, Dimitri Gabellier, was announced at MODA. The History in the Making brief asked entrants to design and develop a range of footwear that interprets the broad spectrum of ‘heritage’ incorporating fashion influences, materials and colour trends for the Autumn/Winter 19/20 season.

 

Six shortlisted designs were displayed in the heart of the prestigious Footwear section of MODA. Julie Driscoll, UK Regional Director at ITE Group said at the ceremony: “The creative output was staggering and the process of selecting the final six shortlisted designs was painstaking, to say the least. Congratulations to Dimitri, Sum Kim, Hyejin, Charity, Tasha and Elizabeth for making the MODA shortlist. We are delighted to announce the winner is Dimitri Gabellier.

 

Discussing the inspiration behind his winning design Dimitri said: “My project takes inspiration from the Japanese martial art, the Hojojutsu. It was used by policemen during the Edo era (1603-1868) and is the art of using a rope to capture, restrain, transport and display suspects and criminals. The sole is made from bamboo, which was the main material (with rope) that police used as a pole to restrain people.”

 

Across the rest of MODA, a host of womenswear brands and a vibrant presentation of footwear delighted visitors. The newly launched ‘This is Me’ theme celebrated real fashion for real people and during the regular daily catwalks presented fashionable, wearable clothes styled on models of all ages and cultures.

 

Julie says: “I absolutely loved watching the catwalk shows and seeing the collections brought to life on our beautifully natural and diverse models. The MODA community has served the fashion industry for generations, we bring together the most incredible brands and welcome passionate visitors from all over the UK and Ireland, keen to buy new collections for their diverse and wonderful customers. Our This is Me manifesto celebrates those people, their stories and their lifestyles and our long-term aim is to support and champion the local high streets and independent businesses.”

 

MODA Directions catwalk show offered an independently curated selection of contemporary womenswear and footwear from across the show, separated into seven key trends for AW19/20:

 

Grey Matter: A sophisticated mix of soft grey tones, natural textures and materials including wool, leather, and silk featured with knits, pleats and layers adding fluidity and movement on this all grey look.

 

Balmoral: A modern take on the countryside tweed look featured a mis-match of prints with stripes and florals updating this perfect for the weekend trend. Matisse’s Cut Out: A kaleidoscope of colour-blocking, stripes, and fluoro highlights offered an abstract look on tailoring and trouser suits for a fun take on workwear.

 

Animal Magnet: Animal prints continue to dominate the fashionistas wardrobe, with a mix of prints styled together and with softer tones of camel and brown. Serenity: Slow down the pace of life with soft pastels, gentle full-length pleating, luxurious silks and calming and flowing neutrals and natural textures.

 

Botanical Garden: An edgy take on florals for AW19/20 sees botanical prints combined with checks and tartans, clashing floral prints and head to toe looks in the same floral. The After Party: Designed for impact and the wow-factor, the closing scene was a sea of sequins, metallics and elegant draped fabrics. Visit www.moda-uk.co.uk for further information and highlights from the latest show

 

MODA is the season’s key meeting place for mainstream fashion, delivering a high quality and cost-effective platform for mid-market brands and ensuring a commercially viable and convenient buying environment for retailers across the UK and Ireland.

 

Bringing together over 1200 collections under one roof at the NEC Birmingham, to deliver the complete season’s overview to over 9000 fashion buyers, the show also brings fashion to life on 16 catwalk shows throughout the three days to inspire buyers and sell brands, alongside a comprehensive retail focused seminar programme, interactive workshops and networking events. www.moda-uk.co.uk