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• 07/22/2008

  SIMM celebrates the summer to come

  • 

    Inside the fair

• FACT FILE

  Spanish exhibitors: 378

  Total net surface area: 20.593 sq mt

  Location: Feria de Madrid

   

  CONTACT

  Feria de Madrid (IFEMA)

  28042 Madrid
  Tel.: (+34) 91 772 30 00

  simm@ifema.es

   

  http://www.semanamoda.ifema.es

   

  NEXT SHOW DATES

  January 2009

The 60th Madrid International Fashion Fair, also known as SIMM, closed its doors on Saturday to record figures. Nearly 600 companies and more than 1,000 brands from all over the world descended on the Spanish capital from July 17 to 19, 2008 to see the latest in womenswear, menswear, swimwear and accessories for spring/summer 2009.

Designer Kina Fernández brought her second line Sara & K, whose youthful style enters its third season. Fernández also took the opportunity to present her party pre-collection, a preview of what we are likely to see on Barcelona’s Cibeles catwalks in September. The bright colours of precious stones are the choices for long dresses in ethereal fabrics.

Veteran fair-goer Oky-Coky stayed true to its urban femininity, with plain colours combined with diverse patterns, from sailor stripe to tie-dye, which has been such a hit in recent seasons. Original and innovative fabrics like metallic-look linen and plasticized materials set the tone for the contemporary designs.

Also at SIMM was Alba Conde, with an eclectic summer collection that ranged from “lady” dresses in black and white to floral hippy prints. She left room for a naïve look in embroidered dresses and perforated cloth. The designer revealed that she will soon be presenting her first bag collection, to go on sale in summer 2009. For partywear, Conde’s designs were an exercise in layering using guipure, leather appliqué and tea-drop cloth adorning silk satin and taffeta. Princess Leticia of Asturias, who had the task of opening the fair, made a point of stopping at the stand to see the designer’s creations.

Mirto updated its men’s shirts in line with women’s fashions. Alongside more classic designs like Liberty-style print blouses, the brand went for novel details like cuffs in contrasting fabrics and loose-fitting shirts. Jackets, now in their second season, adapt classic shirt fabrics like piqué or Oxford into elegant blazers. For him, the options are more conventional, with a little scope for experimentation in the polo shirt territory.

Selvatgi presented its regular collection of basic trousers called On-Line, as well as its more urban line. For the evening, designs are discreet and practical and not overdone on the ornament front. Toypes offered diverse print styles, which range from floral to arty, in coordinated garments that go for a classically elegant total look. The Greek muses were inspirational in the Jota más Ge collection, which features original prints of its own making – typical of the brand – based on iconography from the same country.

Mercedes de Miguel combined her more urban line and partywear with impressive harmony. Our favourites were an impressive fuchsia silk organza gown with a rose-covered skirt and an original line in studded wallets with resin detail.

Much more casual is Elisa Cortés, whose ethnic style is full of African prints in brown, beige and black. One of the most popular stands was Flamenco whose half-ethnic, half Andalusian philosophy is apparent in embroidered kaftans, oversized bags and ballet flats.

Spanish brand Fuentecapala ,which has just begun operating in two of the world’s strongest emerging markets, Russia and China, presented its women’s collection in warm colours such as mustard, coral and beige, which it combines with bright prints. Silhouettes and cut are classical but updated, with particularly striking parkas to match the other garments.

The spirit of youth
The natural, ecological style of Mamatayoe was apparent in a brightly coloured collection inspired by Mother Nature. Organic motifs, like leaves and flowers, are layered or embroidered on to garments in an original contrast. Also organic was the inspiration for Ian Mosh designs, uneven garments where fabrics mingle in free combinations.

One of the fair’s most colourful stands was Muchacha, with a collection of prints, embroidery and ruches on garments that range from the military to the ethnic in an evocative fusion. Van-Dos turned out a feminine urban style for spring/summer 2009, with discreet neutral colours and highly original patterns. Strawberry and pistachio were again star colours and are set to be firm favourites in the seasons to come.

Laga made a date of SIMM, where it presented a collection dominated by English- and vintage-style prints in neutral shades on youthful contemporary garments rich in detail like ruching and tucks. Anauve was also very popular, with its tastefully original approach to fashion and accessories, including pleated suede wallets in neutral shades and pert head-dresses designed to attract attention.

Knits, the stars of SIMM
One of the most traditional knitwear producers, Naulover, presented a line of updated classics where tops and twin sets in pastel shades are worn with flowing slacks. Montoto also went for the discreet approach with earthy shades combined with floral print and a range of different finishes. Dikton´s went for the finest, freshest knit in a palette that ranged from ecru to raspberry, and included sky-blue and pistachio in basic but special garments.

Ready to party
Mireia Bisbe, Matilde Cano and Ana Torres offered the most festive side of SIMM with their long, richly ornamented gowns, with rhinestone, sequins and stones, as well as elaborate couture techniques like draping, ruching and mini-frills. Bright colour enhances designs cut from delicate fabrics like organza, satin and silk.

De la Cierva y Nicolás went for a small but well-made party collection in ethereal, rose-covered organza, mainly in black and white.

Summer accessories
Yokana took its ethnic-chic style one stage further in its summer 2009 collection, with large necklaces made from big brightly-coloured pieces of resin. Paisley or striped kerchiefs and bags and purses in leather with stones completed the look created by its embroidered kaftans. Mo by María Roca also used SIMM as the opportunity to present its range of accessories, with retro clasp bags in deep colours or worked-leather versions in energy shades. Its tulle bag line caused something of a sensation.

Lola Casademunt opted for duskier shades, patent leather and snake print for next summer, while Drap Barcelona returned to its classic style in a collection that sparkled with sequins and rhinestone on party shoes and purses.

Industrias Sombreras Españolas brought the English hat brand Failsworth to SIMM, with its extensive range of classic special occasion hats and fascinators made in raffia with feathers and discreet decorative stones. Another big milliner, Pablo y Mayaya, went for an Indian look with original gradated tulle in purple and coral, adorned with aged-look rhinestone and pheasant feathers. Some designs even made use of spices like tea, jasmine and clove.