Première Classe fashion accessories show to feature new layout

By

Sarah Ahssen

Translated by
Nicola Mira

Published
Jan 15, 2018

In its next session, scheduled from January 19-22 in Hall 3 at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre in Paris, the Première Classe fashion accessories show will give more visibility to the footwear segment, placing it at the show's entrance. "The revised layout is the main challenge for this edition," said Sylvie Pourrat, director of Première Classe, keen to give more exposure to footwear exhibitors.

In past editions, visitors made their way into the heart of the fashion accessories event via the jewellery section and its plethora of small booths. This time they will first come across the one hundred or so footwear exhibitors, among them Faguo, Palladium and the Rautureau group's brands, three regulars of the Parisian event. The organisers are also tapping Instagram to shine a spotlight on a series of small designer brands and their collections.

About 90 exhibitors will animate the handbag section, among them local names like French Théo, Nat & Nin and Maison Boinet. "The majority of licensed brands no longer come to the show," said Sylvie Pourrat, adding that what the event loses in terms of "classic appeal" it gains on the "fashion" front. The same trend seems to be applicable to the other sections of Première Classe.  For example, the From section, dedicated to Indian manufacturers, will jettison about fifty exhibitors, to present a selection more consistent with the rest of the show.

In this edition, jewellery stands will be arranged along the side aisles, giving visitors more breathing space, though a few jewellery brands, such as La Brune & La Blonde, will enjoy a prime location. Glove and knitwear manufacturers will return for this winter edition, and a dozen watch and eyewear producers will cluster in a dedicated section.

Linking together all of the show's 750 or so exhibitors, Hall 3's central aisle will feature a series of event stands, for example those of Tammy&Benjamin and Ma Poésie, to showcase new collections. Finally, Première Classe will also feature a series of pop-up stores dedicated to craft producers, such as for example 100Escales, a specialist in hand-crafted products from around the world.