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Fairs
Pitti Immagine Filati (yarns and latest
trends), Florence
Milano Unica (fabrics), Milan
Première Vision Pluriel, Paris
Texworld (fabrics), Paris
Munich Fabric Start (fabrics), Munich
Seasons
January–February 2009
Spring–Summer 2010
September 2009
Fall–Winter 2010-2011
RAW MATERIALS FAIR CALENDAR
the process. They are held in January
and February to meet the supply needs
of spring and summer collections and
in September for fall and winter collec-
tions of the following year. This means
that innovations and trends in raw
materials are known eighteen months
before the consumer can acquire the
finished garment from the store.
The most important fairs in Europe
are the Prèmiere Vision Pluriel, which
takes place in Paris and includes
Prèmiere Vision for fabrics, Expofil
for fabrics and yarns, Mod’Amont for
accessories, and Le cuir a Paris for
leather; Pitti Immagine Filati in Flor-
ence for yarns and latest trends, and
fairs devoted exclusively to fabrics
such as Milano Unica, Munich Fabric
Start and Texworld, in Paris, which
brings in Asian weavers.
Navigating a fair is not easy, espe-
cially the first time around. Prèmiere
Vision, for example, brings together
around 700 exhibitors, and it is prac-
tically impossible to visit them all.
The most practical thing to do is to
begin with the latest-trends show. It
provides information about fabric pro-
posals for the upcoming season, with
samples accompanied by the name of
the manufacturer, and thus can serve
as a point of departure.
PURCHASING ALTERNATIVES
Aside from fairs, another option consists
of contacting distributors or agents,
businesses that work with different
manufacturers. Sometimes this proves
an attractive alternative because an
intermediary can facilitate the process.
Through direct contact with the man-
ufacturer, prices can be negotiated
according to amounts, as the interme-
diary customarily works with various
designers or different brands.
For a first contact, another useful
resource is the Internet, with its spe-
cialized pages for searching for raw
materials.
THE SUPPLIERS
Whether one chooses to do so through
associations, fairs, distributors or
agents, the most complicated decision
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esigner
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