Weare wants second chance

The first edition of jeans and street wear fair 'Weare' didn’t life up to its high expectations. The fair attracted only 500 visitors between 8-10 February. The organisation keeps on the good spirit and comments: “It’s the first time a fair like this took place in Düsseldorf. We’d like to have the opportunity to build our brand.” The tension was quite high, especially by fair organisator Igedo. It’s only a year ago Igedo announced the coordination of the fair would be in hands of Marc McQuire, who gained experience with similar activities at fashion fair Bread&Butter in Berlin. Initially the first edition of Weare was supposed to be held last summer, but its launch was postponed until 8th February right before the other Igedo fairs started; CPD HMD, Body Look and Global Fashion. The trade fair was spread over three days and took place at Messe Düsseldorf.

The first thing noticeable was the emptiness of the fair. The hallways were too wide and the set up was so big it was hard not to be aware of the lack of interested visitors. On the first and second day about 80 people came down. Even though the numbers doubled on the last, due to the visitors of CPD, the fair received everything but enough interest.

“There could be many reasons,” said McQuire. “Generally speaking many German retailers aren’t that interested in a fair and the date was quite late in the season.” “The sun was out as well, which might contribute to the fact people didn’t wanted to be inside.” This is why McQuire thinks the fair should have another chance. Martin van Doren, representing Obey said: “We won’t be experiencing something like this for the second time. With no visitors on the first and second day, and only two on the last day this was no success for us. We are very much disappointed, to say the least.”

Image: Weare