PURE REVIEW
Buyer confidence in A/W13 shows as exceptional business is written at Pure London
P
ure London, organised by i2i Events Group, closed its doors yesterday following three days of good business as high calibre buyers and
retailers attended from across the UK and overseas. Now in its 33rd season, the show is one of Europe’s leading transactional exhibitions, making it an excellent barometer for how retail is fairing in the current climate. A buoyant, confident mood was reported at the show with positive feedback from both exhibitors and retailers alike. The 'who’s who’ of fashion buying attended
Pure London, including many retailers found on this year’s Drapers Inspiring Indies shortlist, and winner ‘The Dressing Room’. Key independent retailers such as Anne Furbank, Attic, Black White Denim, Diffusion, Doodie Stark, Lewis Yates, Love KR, M&Co, Okeefe, Richmond Classics, and AB10 were joined by etailers such as ASOS, Amazon, Figleaves, and BrandAlley. This season saw an increase in department store buyers with the likes of Fenwick, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, House of Fraser, Debenhams, Selfridges and Hoopers, whilst the high street was out in force with names including Author, Berties, Dune, Joy, Mango, Monsoon, New Look, Next, Oasis, Office, Top Shop, Urban Outfitters, and Warehouse all visiting the show. This season over 1,000 brands were presented including directional fashion, footwear and accessories. Underlying the importance of Pure London on the international buying calendar, the
show played host to buyers from Europe including France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, and as far afield as Hong Kong, Japan and Australia. Pure London focuses on bringing key
international retailers and brands to the show and this season presented 320 international labels, a year on year increase of 6%. Amongst these were 63 French brands, 35 Italian brands, 49 Spanish, 12 Portuguese and 18 German. An international team is now in place headed by International Sales Director, Hans Stoter, with representatives in key markets including France, Germany, Spain, Portugal and Italy. Footwear saw a big increase in interest from
buyers as Pure London now presents the strongest and most directional offering of branded footwear in the UK. Brands included Kat Maconie, Melissa, Hudson Shoes, J Shoes and Moda In Pelle. Headline sponsors of the Footwear and Accessory section, Highline United Europe brought a selection of top labels including Julian Hakes, Jean-Michel Cazabat, French Connection Footwear and Elie Tahari. The feedback from the floor was
overwhelmingly positive. Claire Bank, Managing Director of Moda in Pelle, commented; ‘We have attracted a lot of new buyers both from the UK and internationally, our collection has been received really well. We have had an excellent show and love the expansion and new layout of the Gallery Level, it works perfectly with our brand and our positioning.' While Alex Chupin of K By Karston stated, ‘This is our first time at the show; we love the environment and atmosphere. We have had lots of great interest with quality buyers, we can’t fault Pure London.’ Kelly Baker, Assistant Buyer of Dune Group,
commented, ‘We come to the show each season and today we are on the lookout for accessories.
Pure London is a brilliant resource for us; right on our doorstep and fantastic for new ideas and inspiration.’ Buyers and retailers visit Pure London to write
orders and source new collections, but are also using the show as a vital live resource for business advice. Over 50 hours of insight from 75 top industry experts was showcased over three stages. Speakers included Julie Deane, Founder of The Cambridge Satchel Company, British designer Zandra Rhodes and CEO of People Tree Safia Minney, Richard Pollin, Head of Business at Google, and James Barnett, Production Coordinator of Selfridges. Pure London is set to take over London Olympia once again this August for its Spring/Summer 2014 edition. From the 4th-6th August 2013, over 1,000 brands will be welcomed to the show as they debut their latest collections for S/S14.
www.purelondon.com
MARCH 2013 • FOOTWEAR TODAY
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