Co-founder of Premium launches new UK trade show: WeAr Select London

Klaus Vogel, the co-founder of Berlin-based fashion trade fair Premium and creator of WeAr Global Magazine, has joined forces with trends service firm WGSN to launch a new trade fair in London, to strengthen the city's presence as European fashion capital.

Named WeAr Select, the trade fair is set to host it first event at the Old Billingsgate from January 9 - 10, 2016 and feature a 'hand-picked' selection of the most creative up and coming designers as well as established brands. The event is set to feature a maximum of 300 designers who are invited to present a curated selection of their collection to help "revolutionise the buying process by providing a first, concise overview." WeAre Select aims to help designers share their brand story before their full collection are released at international tradeshows.

WeAr Select London to "revolutionise the buying process"

"Consumers are looking for diversity on the high street and we see brilliant designers in small and established brands, as well as new graduate talent, creating fresh and exciting collections," says Vogel. "Unfortunately, fashion buyers are very time poor during the tradeshow season and simply aren't always able to give designers the attention they needs and deserve at shows."

"Along with our trend partner WGSN, our team will hand-select some of the very best the world has to offer in fashion designers - from the US, UK, Paris, Italy and Tokyo to the less well-known areas such as mainland China, Brazil, Mexico, Thailand and Korea to name just a few. We also want to feature the winning collection, selected by our panel of experts, of graduate submissions from the world's leading fashions schools and present the winners of the Best Fashion Retailer of the World Award."

Together with his daughter Shamin Vogel, who will organize the event, the duo hopes the new trade fair will change the way the global fashion industry approaches buying. WeAr Select concept will be primarily information based and will be complemented by the global business to business magazine. "The fashion business got both more complicated and more professional. Buyers need to get directions in order to make difficult buying decisions. That is where WeAr Select likes to help," adds Vogel.

"Both WGSN and WeAr are dedicated to helping the fashion and retail industry, and promoting creativity on a global stage," says Thorsten Traugott, Executive Vice President EMEA at WGSN. "WeAr Select will help convey the next season's trends and educate buyers on the most important styles, colours, fabrics and cuts to look before they begin their buying trips." The trade fair also aims to focus on the growing relationship between art and fashion by exhibiting works from up and coming as well as established global artists at the event.

WeAr Select is also seeking to work together with other trade fairs and organizations. "For the future of the fashion industry, it's imperative that the leaders work together" says Shamin Vogel.