Bubble London celebrates another season of success

Bubble London, the UK’s national children’s fashion trade

show, closed the doors on another successful season, as the show took place on 16-17 June at the Business Design Centre in Islington.

With over 250 collections offering the best in children’s apparel, accessories, gifts and lifestyle products, Bubble London cemented its reputation within the international show calendar, as buyers from across the globe once again flocked to the show to welcome in spring/summer 2014.

Brands such as Frugi, Project Jelly, Sock Belts, Melissa, Rachel Riley, Indikidual, Ilovegorgeous and Name It all reported an increase in overseas opportunities, with buyers from emerging markets in particular taking an interest in this season’s show. As well as orders from across Europe, brands also forged commitments in countries such as Malaysia, South Africa, Hong Kong and Russia. Jess Reed, wholesale co-coordinator for returning favourites, Ilovegorgeous said: “Bubble is always a fixed date in our calendar. It is the only show where we know that we will see all of our existing contacts as well as new faces in one place, and so it is a really productive show for us.”

Bubble London also saw several newcomers to the show make a big impact this season. Over 80 brands attended for the first time and among them were; Castell, Piupiuchick, Rockahula Kids, Callie-n-Cullen, Dainty Dizzy and Long Wave Apparel. Magaly Jacquard, UK sales manager for Spanish brand Castell said: “We chose Bubble to launch our children’s sandal range as it seemed like the perfect platform to break into the UK market and we have not been disappointed. Big retailers seem to love our product and we would not have been able to make such an impact without this show.”

The best of the fledgling brands featured in the inaugural Bubble Rising Star competition which saw Portuguese label Milk and Rock crowned the first winners of the award. The brand’s designer Claudia Rocha said: “It is so great and wholly unexpected for our products to be so well received here.” Sales manager, Sonia Rocha added: “We have made so many new contacts at Bubble and we are thrilled that we already have a stand to come back to in January as it has been a great experience for us and we never expected to achieve so much out of our first show of the season.”

The competition gave emerging brands who launched their first collection at the show another opportunity to raise their profile. Industry experts from leading E-tailers including Molly Meg, Archie’s Boutique and Cissy Wears, judged their favourite products and branding from the 12 labels entered. Sarah Dyer of Archie’s Boutique commented on the competition: “It was a unanimous decision in the end but the variety on offer amongst the finalists was really great and I was so pleased to see several British manufacturers in the line-up as this is something I am championing.”

Footwear labels Skribbies and Project Jelly were highly commended, and founder and creator of Project Jelly, Natalie Collier said: “Bubble is so important for an emerging brand like ourselves, it has given me the opportunity to turn a concept into a tangible brand and I am coming away from the show with so many new collaborations and stock commitments.”

Both Skribbies and Project Jelly join the tradition of homegrown brands to feature at the show. British success stories, Donna Wilson and Rock and Regal owner Melanie Salisbury returned to the show to fly the flag for British manufacturing once again, Donna with her wonderland installation which greeted visitors at the entrance to the Business Design Centre and Melanie, delivering a seminar on her experiences and journey to becoming a great British brand.

Event Director Lindsay Hoyes, commented on this trend, saying: “It has been great to hear just how well the brands have been received. We pride ourselves on bringing brands and buyers together in an inspirational and innovative environment and from the feedback we have received this season’s show has definitely delivered on that.”

The autumn/winter 2014 edition of Bubble London will be held on 26-27 January 2014 at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London.