Looking back at first time trade fair exhibitors​:Thalassa

Last summer, FashionUnited devised a mini-series looking at emerging designers coming into the UK market for the first time both from here and internationally, focusing on their presence at globally recognised trade fairs, in particular

Moda and Pure. With the new season collections about to be exhibited once again as the set of trade shows come around again next month, we caught back up with Jean Pierre Moreau, co-founder and creative director of Thalassa, French women’s ready to wear label looking to establish its presence in the UK, on developments, what we can expect, and why they are not returning to Moda, but working with ad campaigns this season.

With

the February trade shows approaching, how do you find they differ from the showing of S/S collections at September shows?

The February shows are quieter. This is a cold season; there are fewer brands at shows, less visitors… The summer fair season is about travels, which suits the Thalassa world - as the name Thalassa derives from a widely known and popular holiday programme on prime time national French television, always inviting everyone to some amazing trip.

Why have you decided not to return to Moda this season - why do you think an ad will work for you this season?

We had a wide discussion about our strategy of communication with Marc Howard the managing director of “Georgina Barnes Ltd” who is our main representative in UK and Ireland. We were agreed that a strong communication is very important to help the agents to increase the sales, so we decided to spend more in communication tools as Look Books, catalogues, images, posters, and make an ad at WWB.

What have been some of the developments to your label since we last spoke in the summer?

Initially our company had worked with few agents, who were working in their areas but not worldwide. And we were looking to build a global strategy for UK sales.

Since July 2012 we are working with Marc Howard and “Georgina Barnes Ltd” who is our main representative in UK and Ireland – through our coordinative work, we believe that Thalassa will break the UK market and will develop a wide customer base.

With this your first year in the UK, how do you find the UK market reacts to Thalassa differently than other markets?

The UK customers are particularly keen on our tops and T-shirts – I think it is because these items often extend beyond our signature sailing look and borrow from the beaches and landscapes of Atlantic Ocean with an all tier colourful association.

Why do you find the UK a supportive market for your label?

Because the Thalassa brand stands for high-quality and comfort bringing a casual yet stylish look for all women. The designs, however, mainly appeal to fashion conscious consumers in the age group of forty and above and sizing of up to 24 are available. Our ranges offer excellent value for money with stockists benefitting from significant profit margins.

Thalassa Autumn /Winter 2013 takes us to all four corners of France, richly inspired by the ebb and flow of the ocean.

Did you meet the aims/targets you were hoping for from summer's Moda show?

Yes, we were satisfied about the summer’s Moda show even though exhibitors were saying that the show was quieter than the year before. We had got a great experience, we had met our UK representative Marc Howard, our agents and our customers and, of course we had got some new contacts as well. I believe that Thalassa will be present at next Summer’s show.