Throughout its staging, the fair welcome some 21,215 professionals

The fifty-seventh edition of SIMM witnessed a 14% increase in its number of foreign buyers. The fair will present a new fair model at its next edition in September 2007.

The Fourth LatinoAméricaFashion Show stood out for the exceptional quality of the participating designers and the increase in the number of fashion shows

The 57th edition of the Madrid International Fashion Fair (SIMM), which took place between 16th and 18th February last, once again confirmed the growing international stature that this event has acquired over its last few editions, based on a new increase in its number of foreign buyers. Thus, out of the 21,216 visitors recorded, some 2,287 came from other countries, which represents a 14.3 per cent increase compared to the figure achieved in September 2006.  This significant increase regarding the number of foreign professionals consolidates SIMM's position as the second most important event for the clothes manufacturing industry in Europe. It also raises some bright prospects for the new fair model that will be introduced next September.

At this edition of SIMM, the strongest contingent of buyers from abroad came from Portugal, based on some 1,099 visitors. This country was followed by Italy, Greece, France, the United Kingdom and Germany in terms of the number of professionals who attended the fair. At the same time, SIMM witnessed an increase in the number of buyers from Turkey and Russia. From the region of Latin America, countries such as Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina featured strong trade representation at the fair, in the same way as countries such as Morocco, Japan and China.
 
Irrespective of the number of visiting foreign professionals, the total number of buyers recorded at the recently-concluded edition of the fair also increased compared to the figure achieved at the September 2006 edition, almost by 10 per cent in fact. In total, this edition of SIMM brought together some 1,060 exhibitors from 22 countries, who presented their new designs in men's clothing, women's clothing, fur fashion and accessories for Autumn-Winter 2007. The net exhibition area at the fair came to around 36,200 square metres, distributed among Halls 1, 2,  3, 4, 6, 8 and 10 at Feria de Madrid. The collections presented were characterised by their high levels of quality and design, essential aspects when it comes to competing successfully on the current international fashion market.

Among the European companies present at the event, we might highlight those from Italy, Portugal, France and Great Britain. Companies from Germany, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Greece and Poland were also strongly represented at the fair. The highly prestigious international brands on show at the exhibition included names such as Les Copains, Roccobarocco Knitwear, Easy Comfort, Marc Aurel and Olsen, among others. This edition also featured the participation of a number of renowned Spanish brands, including Fuentecapala, Selvatgi, Oky Coky, Mireia Bisbe, Pablo y Mayaya Sombreros and Elena Cáncer. At the same time, SIMM brought together a number of important Spanish designers, such as Andrés Sardá and Francis Montesinos, as well as the group known as ADÑ, the Artistic Association of National Fashion Designers of Spain. This group took part at the fair with a joint area in which the following members of the association presented their collections: Antonio Alvarado, Ion Fiz, Locking Shocking, Carlos Díez, Juanjo Oliva, Rocabert, Carmen March and La Casita de Wendy.

A Larger Number of Fashion Shows and a Higher Level of Quality at the  LatinoAméricaFashion Show 

In the same way as at the last three editions of the fair, Latin American fashion played a prominent role at SIMM. The fourth edition of the LatinoAméricaFashion Show featured the participation of seven Latin designers, all of whom have a modern and cutting-edge creative style The majority of the participants were renowned members of the fashion scene in their respective countries, designers who are interested in expanding throughout Europe by means of their participation at this prestigious Fashion Show, which has now become an established forum for promoting fashion from Latin America.

At its fourth edition, the  LatinoAméricaFashion Show confirmed its stature, being staged to great acclaim as a result of both the selection of designers who took part and the collections that were presented. On this occasion, the fashion shows took place throughout the weekend (Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th February), with the number of fashion shows increasing to five, including a joint fashion show and four solo fashion shows. The Fashion Show was opened on the Saturday morning with a collective fashion show featuring the participation of Elia Abuchaibe (Colombia), Ricardo Dourado (Portugal) and Vero Ivaldi (Argentina). Julia y Renata (Mexico) once again took part in the LatinoAméricaFashion Show, but this time on a solo basis. The Brazilian designer, Alexandre Herchcovitch, a veritable point of reference for Latin American fashion, and the Argentinean designer, Mariano Toledo, also presented their collections at solo fashion shows, to the considerable acclaim of both the public and specialised press. Finally, Olga Piedrahita (Colombia), with her collection inspired by the fantastic world of Tim Burton, closed this year's edition of the fair, confirming her status as a classic participant in this showcase for Latin fashion.

The LatinoAméricaFashion Show is an initiative that was set up by SIMM in September 2005. Its purpose is to support the interesting creative and avant-garde developments that are taking place throughout the world of Latin American fashion, promoting the designers' creations in both Europe and the rest of the world.

A Developing Industry

The Spanish clothing industry is beginning to emerge from the crisis it has been suffering from in recent years, attaining a certain degree of stability. Its production figure achieved a value of 10,950 million euros in the year 2006, according to figures furnished by the Centre for Textile and Clothes Manufacturing Information (CITYC). With regard to exports, the industry witnessed significant growth, achieving a figure of 7,300 million euros, of which 4,350 million euros corresponded to the sale of finished clothing items in other countries. Imports, for their part,, achieved a total value of 12,220 million euros, of which more than 9,000 million euros corresponded to purchases of manufactured clothing items and knitwear.

With regard to the Spanish leather and fur sector, overall turnover came to 298.4 million euros in the year 2006, according to information furnished by the Spanish Fur Trade Business Organisation (OEEP). Lambskin continues to be the industry's biggest earner, featuring sales of nearly 130 million euros in the year 2006. Mink continues to be the star the haute fourrure segment, featuring sales of 54 million euros.

A New Fair Model

This is the last SIMM's edition based on the current model, with an offer structured around the fairs : ESPACIO HOMBRE; BOUTIQUE; ESPACIO CIBELES; Y+; PLATAFORMA-YOUNG DESIGNERS; GALERIA IBERPIEL PELETERÍA IMAGENMODA; CIEN X CIEN, and INTERMODA. In September 2007, the fair will unveil a new fair model, which SIMM's organisers presented to exhibitors and the press during the recently-concluded edition. Thus, as of its next edition, which will take place between 31st August and 2nd September, SIMM will present a new image, based on a new structure, one that will offer a new layout and an updated and modern decorative appeal that is more attractive to both exhibitors and visitors.

The participating companies have expressed considerable confidence in this new SIMM model, rating the improvements very highly. According to Pilar Jiménez, the designer and owner of Dalt Balt, "this change was necessary and the fair organisers have recognised this fact". "We must adapt to the trends established by the international market; the challenge is a difficult one, but it will be worth it", she adds. Furthermore, José García, the Head of Gallaecia Fashion, has stated that "the overhaul was necessary" and he trusts that the new fair will lead to an "explosion regarding the number of visitors". Gema Nicolás, the designer at Cabotine, trusts that the new SIMM will serve as a "marketing tool" that helps to boost sales.
 
Madrid International Fashion Week

SIMM is part of the MADRID INTERNATIONAL FASHION WEEK, the grand setting for the staging of the different fairs organized by IFEMA. Such as the PASARELA CIBELES, the grand promotional forum for Spanish design throughout the world; the EGO DE PASARELA CIBELES, for young fashion talents; SIPIEL, International Leather Week, featuring its fairs MODACALZADO and IBERPIEL MARROQUINERIA, and TEXTILMODA, the Textile Fashion Show.