Fashion Textiles Trade News

Premiere Vision Focus - Paris, February 16 - 18, 2016

FUR IS FLYING 

Alternately adored and detested, fur sparks passion, once again.

Fur is once again a fabric of choice on the fashion stage, according to Premiere Vision Leather trade fair organisers. 

Having lost in favour in recent decades as a result of the persistent attacks from anti-fur activists, the material has regained its spark and sales have more than doubled in the last five years years, growing from 14 billion euros in 2011 to nearly 32 billion euros in 2013 (Source: IFTF).

Concerned about the environment and the wellbeing of the animals, the major breeder associations and the international industry authorities have increased their efforts to formulate regulations that combine pleasure with ethics.   

At the same time, artisans, furriers and renowned manufacturers are breathing new life into one of the oldest professions in the world. Sourcing, production and style have become their daily watchwords. The industry’s carefully-selected players will be taking part at Première Vision Leather fair February 16-18 in Paris Parc-des-Exposition, Villepinte.

IFM AND PREMIÈRE VISION PARTNER TO CREATE A CHAIR FOR "THE ECONOMICS OF CREATIVE MATERIALS FOR FASHION"

Recognising the importance of nurturing talent and develop expertise in an ever changing economic environment for the fashion trade, Première Vision S.A., the leading Paris-based organizer of international professional trade shows for fashion industries, has announced that it is partnering with the French Fashion Institute (L’Institut Français de la Mode (IFM), to create a chair for "The Economics of Creative Materials for Fashion", a renewable position lasting a minimum of three years, starting from January 1st, 2016.

Through the various shows that it organises, bringing together some of the most creative, innovative and influential companies in the global fashion and textile industry, Première Vision is today a veritable value-added observatory for the fashion industry worldwide.

In order to follow developments in the industry as closely as possible and to adapt to the needs of international markets, Première Vision has been collaborating with IFM for several years. Together, they analyze how fashion markets are evolving, shifts in consumer behaviour and changes in buying schedules, among other developments.

Building upon this experience, IFM and Première Vision have decided to found the IFM-Première Vision Chair for "The Economics of Creative Materials for Fashion", a new position that will create a high value-added center for research and the sharing of knowledge about the economics of textiles and leathers for fashion and clothing industry.

Research will be focused on the establishment of an international economic indicator for materials – textiles and leather – for creative fashions, the analysis of short-term developments in the industry and the oversight of industry-specific studies.

What is a chair?

A chair is the result of an initiative taken by a company that commits to an institution of higher learning to support research programs for at least three years, a period which may be renewed.

It allows the company to work with professors who specialize in one of its areas of expertise, as well as with current students and alumni.

A chair makes it possible to create a think tank and a space for sharing knowledge; it is a privileged context in which the company can share its expertise while supporting teaching and research activities within its field.

For the company, a chair is also a tool internal and external communication.

THE OBJECTIVES OF THE IFM-PREMIÈRE VISION CHAIR:

For Première Vision, this collaboration is intended to nurture the specialized trades represented in its shows by granting access to economic and sector-specific data as well as targeted studies conducted jointly with IFM so that they may better understand and adapt to industry issues and developments.

It is also an important communication tool and a means for Première Vision to consolidate its position as a leading observatory for upstream fashion businesses.

For these reasons, this chair represents several objectives for Première Vision:

The gathering of economic data on the textile and leather industry and how it is evolving on an international scale;





The implementation of new, specially-developed tools for improving Première Vision’s and fashion professionals’ knowledge base regarding information about the industry and textiles/leather;





The ability to conduct specific studies thanks to the expertise of a recognized authority in the industry, IFM, on various issues and developments concerning fashion’s upstream sector;


The opportunity to communicate a body of data and results with manufacturers (exhibitors at Première Vision’s shows), brands and fashion businesses (visitors), and the media;





Promoting high-level research into the economics of creative materials for fashion;





The reinforcement of Première Vision’s position with respect to the young talents, future directors and fashion designers who are current or former students of IFM.

Students will also benefit from access to certain information and studies.

For IFM, this partnership creates several opportunities:

The creation of this new chair aligns with the school’s vocation as a specialized institute of higher education and research for the entire textile-clothing value chain


A body of research that, with Première Vision’s support, will reinforce and elevate the academic and professional instruction provided by IFM.

THE CHAIR’S INITIAL ACTIONS:

The Première Vision-IFM barometer:

As one of the first actions implemented by the chair, Première Vision and IFM have decided to create a barometer for the activity within the creative materials industry.

In fact, there are no indicators or any international statistics that specifically target high added-value materials. This is the industry that Première Vision represents in its shows with a rich and diverse selection of exhibitors.

Thanks to this annual barometer and to the support of IFM, Première Vision will be able to establish an index of observation and evaluation for activity within the creative fashion industry.

For Première Vision exhibitors, and for all high added-value creative materials businesses, the Première Vision barometer will make it possible to measure the evolution of the high-end and creative fashion sector. It also creates a way for professionals to compare and position themselves with respect to the creative industry index on an annual basis.

To create this index, IFM will contact Première Vision exhibitors in order to conduct a statistical survey. The objective is to reveal first results at the September 2016 edition of Première Vision Paris.

A study on international sourcing:

The other mission IFM quickly established for the chair is to organize and lead a seminar on sourcing at the next Première Vision Paris show (February 16th -18th, 2016, at the Parc des Expositions de Paris Nord-Villepinte). 

Photos of recent Première Vision Paris shows by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect Global.