CPD Düsseldorf very international

The aisles of the exhibition halls were humming with activity. Well attended stands saw lively ordering activity. Activities at the exhibition were pleasantly surprising. The launch of the new cpd woman_man with its revised concept evidently encouraged and triggered an upswing. The new presentation of the fair was rated efficient and the new visitor movement control scheme was praised as serving its purpose.

More than 53,000 trade visitors from all over the world contributed to the positive outcome of cpd woman_man held from 1 to 3 February 2004, last winter 62,000 vistors came to the biggest tradefair. Düsseldorf and its ranges as a whole offered the assurance for orders so urgently needed in view of structural change, shifts in order cycles and general economic climate. Düsseldorf gave the assurance needed for planning. Orders placed at the fair revolved around the all-important value attached to fashion. Foreign visitors accounted for over one third of those attending. Contacts with new customers were rated particularly high. 95 % of visitors confirmed the Düsseldorf fashion fair as a decisive platform, a driver for fashion and a barometer for the industry.

Fashion Accents

Buzzwords like "Brit chic" and "pop culture" injected novel looks into the collections and got the new round of orders going. The ranges on offer perfectly corresponded to the demand for a modern dress code with high-fashion chic.

Retailers were just as much interested in pre-orders (for the 2004/05 autumn/winter collections) as in ex-stock orders (for spring/summer 2004) for both women's and men's wear.

The Events

The new Communication Areas met with a great deal of interest. Serving as sources of inspiration they provided not only added value for visitors but also stressed the shopping experience aspect of the fair. Retailers were given new ideas to win over customers while exhibitors found creative inspirations ranging from art photography to book art. A special kind of highlight and surprise in its own right was the new "Hall of Design" designed by Manfred Kronen. It housed a line-up of catwalk shows staging international designer fashion alongside up-market high-fashion collections. The catwalk room itself was enclosed by sheer, almost transparent suspended structures. They ingenously doubled as silver screens to project larger-than-life projections and films that virtually pulled people into the themes. Inspired by this revolutionary new setting several fashion companies already stated their interest in running shows at the "Hall of Design" in August.

The programme of accompanying events held throughout Düsseldorf and ranging from fashion shows to workshops not forgetting social events was perceived as up to date and agreeable. Another unambiguous message also came from the young designers concentrated at the "Fashion Gallery" of cpd woman_man. Anja Gockel once again presented styles bursting into colour which also exuded unfettered sex-appeal in terms of their silhouettes. Luisa Cerano convinced her audience with class rather than classics, pertly abbreviated into "great style". And the two young Turks, Hakan Yildirim and Ümit Ünal, received highest ratings for their creative shows.

On the eve of the fair the Windsor show, held at an old cinema, could pride itself on having assembled a "Who's Who" of the fashion press in the first row. Likewise, the Joop show presented at Düsseldorf's "Stahlwerk" mega disco was a central attraction for stars and starlets. Another glamorous get together was the VOGUE event. ELLE joined forces with the IGEDO COMPANY to combine art + fashion and celebrated at the K21 museum in Düsseldorf. At the Men's Health event, the meeting point of the menswear industry, everything naturally revolved around men. Other fashion VIPs chilled out in style at the get-together organised by MADAME at the Malkasten venue. Finally, HIS invited guests to its traditional event, a relaxed insider party at the "Op de Eck" venue.

Global Fashion

"Global Fashion" was once again held concurrently with cpd woman_man. It has developed into an independent yet integral part of the fair. Its new, more central location on the fair grounds in Halls 1 and 2 was widely welcomed. Both exhibitors and visitors rated the professionalism and extension of this area as positive. With this event "Global Fashion" has become the largest fair for private labels, sourcing & production.

In the fashion industry it is thought Global Fashion will gain in importance in the future. The synergies it generates were appreciated by visitors and exhibitors alike.

Düssedorf in the Sign of Fashion

With this cpd woman_man Düsseldorf has confirmed its international ranking as an assured information and order planning platform. It is considered the most important fashion fair in economic terms.

The fashion metropolis will undertake further measures to consolidate its position as the No. 1 fashion fair. The unique opportunity of seeing over 3,000 fashion brands gathered at the same place and time in Europe's most densely populated region allows international specialist fashion retailers to obtain an optimal overview.