LILLE GETS POSITIVE ENERGY FROM MADE IN PORTUGAL
For two days, 27 and 28 November, the Lille Grand Palais will be the stage for another edition of Fast Fashion Lille. 13 Portuguese companies will be at the event, travelling to the north of France with the support of the Selectiva Moda Association, as part of the From Portugal internationalisation project, with financial support from the NSRF.
Fast Fashion Lille, an exhibition that brings together Tissu Premier (dedicated to fabrics and raw materials) and Collections (clothing and accessories), now under the management of PV Manufacturing, will host about 200 exhibitors. Portugal will be in the spotlight, with 13 fabrics, accessories and apparel companies.
140 exhibitors will be present in Tissu Premier, presenting their latest innovations and trends, and 7 of these are Portuguese: A Têxtil de Serzedelo, Acatel, Celostecelagem, Gulbena | Lipaco - Linhas para Confecções, Lda., NGS | Sanmartin.
Lipaco, a regular in Tissu Premier, has focused on the French and Belgian markets for the diversity of the workshops in the two countries. «We want to consolidate the strong image of quality our products have with the major brands in the French and Belgian markets, and expand the growth of the workshops», explains Jorge Pereira, the company's CEO. As for the products on display, sewing threads and PES and PA textured yarns are the highlights.
On its return to Lille, Sanmartin is taking a collection emphasising haute couture, formal and wedding fabrics. Lace, satins, brocades, prints, chiffons and tulles. As a pioneer in fashion design and the setting of new trends, the country takes on an added importance. «Tissu Premier is the second most important event in the fashion and textiles market in France, and as such is the ideal place for Sanmartin to place itself in the forefront of this competitive market», says Joana Correia, the company's International Sales Manager. It has high expectations of its participation in the event. «We want to strengthen and expand Sanmartin's customers in a priority market like the French and, at the same time, be seen by other European markets at a widely publicised trade fair, extending our range of existing customers in these markets», she adds.
In Collections, the Autumn/Winter 2014/15 collections will be presented, and the Made in Portugal collections will have a special focus. One area will be dedicated to the private label's ladies', men's and children's clothing, as well as to collections of accessories.
Collections will enjoy the presence of about 100 exhibitors, among which are 6 Portuguese: Kalisson & Bagoraz, Goucam, Groché Internacional, Lady Suzy, Orfama/Montagut Industries, Raith Têxteis.
With a regular presence in this event, Goucam presents products for the men's and women's segments, with a special emphasis on overcoats, jackets, skirts and trousers. «Being at Lille is part of Goucam's commercial strategy. Our expectations are positive, and we hope to attract new customers with potential for the medium/high product segment», says Henrique Gandara, the company's Sales Director.
Once again in Lille, Orfama presents its new products for the season. «Optimism and innovation» are the keywords for the new collection, where ultra-fine wool yarn and mixtures reflect the freshness of a clean look. Comfort is the watchword, with knitwear that hugs the curves of the body or falls in straight, perfect lines that move to the pace of dynamic lifestyles. In the colour palette, dry pink, blue and grey are key, and the predominant materials are 100% extra fine wool, silk and cashmere. Expectations for the event are very positive. «Since we've already been to the show before, we already have some experience and our expectations are optimistic, in view of the increasing interest of many customers in our type of product. This is a very positive factor for an increase of turnover in this market», explains António Cunha, the company's Area Sales Manager.
Special emphasis will be put on the From Portugal Forum, an innovative space which for this edition is located at the entrance to the fair. This is an exhibition that brings together products from all the Portuguese companies participating in Fast Fashion Lille, a space specially dedicated to products made in Portugal.
The participation of Portuguese companies in Fast Fashion Lille is an initiative of the Selectiva Moda Association, with the financial support of the European Commission (NSRF), as part of the From Portugal project. The Selectiva Moda Association is a body that promotes the internationalisation of Portuguese companies, and for 2013 it has a programme of international activities in 35 different markets, targeting the areas of yarns, fabrics and accessories, fashion, home and decorative textiles and technical textiles.
