Search:

• 06/19/2009

  FIMI, the return of Flower Power

  • 

    Tuc Tuc´s stand

• FACT FILE
  Total net surface area: 10.000 sq mt
  Location: Feria de Valencia

   

  CONTACT
  Avenida de las Ferias s/n
  Valencia
  fimi@feriavalencia.com

  http://www.feriavalencia.com/fimi
  

  NEXT SHOW DATES
  22-24 January 2010

On June12, 2009, the 69th International Fair of Children’s and Young People’s Fashion (FIMI) was brought to a close in Valencia, where Spanish labels showcased their outstanding creativity. A total of 215 brands from 17 countries took part in the event, which enjoyed a noted influx of international visitors from Germany, Saudi Arabia, Austria, Canada, China, the US, Egypt, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey and the UK.

Those attending the event were able to enjoy a modernised format at the fair, including a summer terrace and a virtual interactive changing room, as well as an avant-garde space See Mee in FIMI dedicated to alternative designs in fashion, footwear and accessories for the youngest customers.

Rainbow of trends
The most vivid colours, so fitting for summer and a child’s wardrobe, dominated almost all of the collections, and in particular those of the Spanish designer Ágatha Ruiz de la Prada. For spring/summer 2010, as well as multicoloured polka dot dresses and blouses, designs in simpler tones set against her trademark motifs, (clouds, hearts, butterflies, flowers….) hippy-style denim pieces were included, from dungarees to jeans and shorts.

This collection competed in terms of colour with that of Tuc Tuc which presented several lines of clothing and accessories on one of the fair’s most spectacular stands: the Baby range went for fun characters and romantic prints on T-shirts, trousers and dresses; while Kids, in acid tones and true to the latest trends, was a complete explosion of check, flowers, navy, camouflage and street prints.

On pedestals covered in pretty ants and ladybirds, Bóboli’s mannequins looked great in impeccable designs for spring/summer 2010. The Flower Power theme of this year's FIMI could clearly be seen in its collection, which gave special prominence to denim streetwear outfits, polo shirts and sundresses with 1970s prints. Prince of Wales checks became summery on dungarees with patchwork detail and on short-sleeved shirts for boys. A surfing line in orange, mauve and pink contrasted with another more rustic line presided over by flowers and cowboy-style checks. The most glamorous designs incorporated Swarovski details and sequins.

The deepest red, green and blue presided over Tutto Piccolo’s stand, inspired by the world of children’s toys. The meticulous craftsmanship in the detail and the beautiful embroidery did not detract from the freshness of the designs full of innocence, from full skirts adorned with large hearts to striped and polka dot frogs and polo shirts in more sober colours for children.

Pan Con Chocolate’s prints also stood out, again opting for very special ensembles for the princess of the house. The brand's girlswear designs had ruffles that combine polka dots and plant prints; sleeveless all-in-one suits with paisley prints; and Vichy check print designs with polka dot over-dresses in navy tones. Tucks, ruffles, embroidery, organza bows and floral appliqués were reserved for those most special occasions. Just as personal are the prints from Lourdes, with naive touches of fun characters drawn on outfits in pastel tones for boys and girls.

Teenage fashion
A selective range of colours characterised the teenage collections. Akr Kids played with futuristic and geometric graphics for the boys, reserving colour for trousers, Bermuda shorts and accessories. For the girls, the brand went for a sporty look, with loose-fitting T-shirts, tops with urban prints and dresses in sombre colours.

Charo Ruiz translated Ibizan fashion to styles for children with long dresses dominated by white, combined with colours from nature, such as forest green.

Children’s occasion wear
Although several companies presented designs for special occasions (among them Tutto Piccolo, Pan con Chocolate, Lourdes), there was no shortage of specialists in this sector. Barcarola presented innovative designs for the first communion, such as bronze polka dot outfits or admiral-style outfits finished in satin, as well as a stylish collection of outfits with frayed romantic ruffles in grey, proof that seriousness does not clash with sweetness.

A deep sky blue reigned over Larrana’s stand. The company adorned its A-line dresses in romantic embroidery and edging, reclaiming and updating the yoke and bib and introducing an elegant style to shirts and blouses for boys and girls in impeccably finished designs.

The latest in swimwear
DC Kids, the childrenswear brand from Dolores Cortés, presented three lines at the fair: Saint Tropez, with nautical-style swimming costumes decorated with anchors and ship wheels; El Espíritu Del Mar, a nod to surfers with deep colours; and A Plein Air, with designs dominated by fantastical characters.

Mar de Cleo, with large 1970s prints, and Oh Soleil!, with tropical prints in vibrant tones and matching blouses and bandanas, also featured strongly among the swimwear collections on show at FIMI.

Tiny footwear
On the Oca-Loca stand, located in the centre of the pavilion, the firm’s shoes were displayed as part of eight outfits designed by Susa Plaza leaning against a giant cake covered in glitter. Its strapped sandals appear to be made from metallic gold and violet, colours that are used on flip-flops with leaf-shaped appliqués on the instep. The designs employing pure lines are adorned with old coins, and the party shoes have strass detail and ethnic appliqués in leather or gems. For the very small, white shoes combine Vichy and Liberty prints and the patent leather bar shoes are delicately embossed.

Cuquito presented three lines at FIMI: Cuquito Soft, with designs that allow for total mobility of the foot thanks to their great flexibility; Cuquito Luxe, with shoes that fasten with 18 carat gold buttons; and Mis Primeros Cuquito, that went for handcrafted designs using natural materials such as batiste cotton. It also presented its designs for Disney, with motifs inspired by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, covered in fluorescent pink hearts.

Patent leather and leather with reliefs and scallop trim embroidery feature heavily in the line of footwear by Ágatha Ruiz de la Prada Baby, designed by Garvalin, whose own collection presented three lines: one for the city with a vintage feel, with pearls, fine soles and a profusion of fretwork; others with metal pieces and grilles in a nod towards science fiction; and a third more rustic line that uses leather in relief and ethnic patterns.

As a major event parallel to the trade fair, every day the FIMI catwalk took place, with shows by Spanish and international brands such as DC Kids, Tuc Tuc, Tutto Piccolo, Bóboli, Pan Con Chocolate, Ágatha Ruiz de la Prada Baby and Oca-Loca, which became first footwear company to present its collection in a fashion show.