• National trade exhibition confirms host of early signings

 

  • New Body/Active area will launch for s/s 18

 

  • Last season’s debutantes return after successful autumn edition

 

National trade fashion exhibition Moda has confirmed that a significant percentage of last season’s exhibitors have already committed to the s/s 18 edition. The show has revealed a comprehensive line-up of returning and first-time labels across its menswear, womenswear, footwear and accessories product categories, with last year’s debutantes in particular committing to a second show after a successful edition in February.

 

This season will also see the introduction of Body/Active. Targeting the industry’s fastest-growing sector as it moves into mainstream apparel, Body/Active will host a range of fashionable and relevant athleisure collections for the womenswear and sports-specific sector. Playing to Moda’s key strength of representing the entire breadth of the apparel industry, Body/Active builds upon the success of Moda Active, which has already enjoyed two successful seasons at the exhibition.

 

Moda Gent continues to introduce new design talent with the arrival of inspiring new labels Avenue 22, Pasquale Cutarelli and Bowler & Beach. The niche offers are complemented by the show’s returning flagship labels, which this season will include Gibson, Ben Sherman, Digel, Tresanti, Tilley, Fynch Hatton, Olymp, Seidensticker, Tom Hagan, Brook Taverner, Gurteen, Pringle, Farah Classics, Jockey, Douglas & Grahame and Geographical Norway.

 

“Moda Gent offers us the opportunity to present our collection in a very professional manner,” says Brook Taverner’s retail sales director Roger Meeke. “We are able to meet our regular customers but – just as importantly – we can meet prospective new customers from Europe and beyond. It’s something no other show can offer.”
Womenswear is equally well-represented this season, with a keen focus this season on Moda Noir as the prom and wedding sector comes into the spotlight for spring. With confirmed brands including Paola Collection, Carla Ruiz, Red & Royal London, Prom Frocks, Envious Couture Prom, Mascara, Linea Raffaelli, Sonia Pena, Ronald Joyce, Mori Lee, Gabriella Sanchez, Mac Duggal, Cabotine, John Charles, the Veromia stable, Ann Balon and Luis Civit, the line-up promises to be a glamorous selection of the sector’s most red carpet-worthy collections.

 

“Moda Noir is the only show for occasionwear,” says Avril Forbes, sales manager for the Veromia portfolio, whose labels include Irresistible, Dress Code, Dressed Up and Veromia Occasions. “It is the right show for our product, and the place where we can  expand our customer base, as well as welcoming our existing clientele back to each of our collections.”

 

Elsewhere in Moda Woman, Steilmann will showcase its latest offer at the spring show, following its successful return in February. Other key returning labels include Thought, Lily & Me, Michaela Louisa, Tilley & Grace, Peruzzi, Marble, Pause Café, Latte, Naya, Rino & Pelle, Smashed Lemon, Foil, Tivoi, Emreco, Brakeburn, L’Argentina and Eva Tralala.

 

“Moda always brings us new clients,” says Clare Morgan, UK agent for Eva Tralala. “As well as being an opportunity to concentrate on writing orders with our existing customers, we meet lifestyle buyers who are tempted into buying clothing when they come across our stand.”

 

Moda Accessories will continue to complement the wider womenswear offer, while also evolving as a show within its own right. This season will see the exhibition welcome back contemporary brand Adele Marie, while other confirmed labels include Gaby, Eliza Gracious, Tempest Designs, Boardmans, Alice Hannah, Accessories by Park Lane, Whiteley, Eastern Counties Leather, Jane Anne Designs, Azury, Peach Accessories, Max & Ellie, Celine J and Jelly Jolly London.

 

For Moda Footwear meanwhile, the focus is summer footwear, and the evolution of winter’s debutantes for the new spring season. Having made an autumn statement with winter boots and deep hues back in February, first-time brands Oak & Hyde, Hotter, Joe Brown’s and Shoesme have already committed to showing the spring-inspired side to their collections on the back of a successful show last season.

 

New labels showcasing at the August show meanwhile include contemporary Italian women’s label Evaluna, elegant women’s brand Unisa and Spanish artisan label Pinoso’s, while returning favourites include Irregular Choice, Dr Marten’s, El Naturalista, Alpe, Chatham, Josef Seibel, Mustang, Lisa Kay, Lunar, Rieker, Ravel, XTi, Mephisto and Padders.

 

“Since we re-introduced Irregular Choice to Moda in August 2015, we have been very encouraged by the level of business and interest in the brand,” says Dan Sullivan, founder of Irregular Choice. “We were flat out for pretty much all of the show in February, so that has to be a good gauge of success.”

 

Moda will return to the NEC on 6-8 August this year.