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03/01/2007
Bread & Butter, episode IV
Inside the fair
FACT FILE
Visitors: 82.837
Total net surface area:
Location: Fira de Barcelona de Montjuïc
CONTACT
Bread & Butter Barcelona
C/ Ample 24 Pral 2ºA
08002 Barcelona
NEXT SHOW DATES
July 4-6 2007
From January 17 to 19, Bread & Butter Barcelona (BBB), Europe’s major tradeshow for selected brands beat all the records at the Fira de Barcelona convention centre in Montjuïc. Even the weather – 20º in Barcelona – came out in support of an event which welcomed 82,837 trade visitors from all over the world, who came in search of what was new for autumn-winter 2007/08.
BBB’s organisers emphasised the large number of visitors from North America, and a sizeable German showing which almost doubled previous figures, possible as a result of the decision to abandon Berlin in favour of a permanent Barcelona venue. Press and trade visitors came from Spain/Portugal (33,698), Italy (13,517), Germany (6,784), Britain/Ireland (5,963), France (5,591), Benelux (5,289), Scandinavia (1,706), Austria/Switzerland (1,700), Greece (1,393), North America (1,357), Turkey (1,114), Eastern Europe (1,082), Latin America (725), Israel (424), South Korea (393), Russia (351), Japan (310), Hong Kong (223) and Australia/New Zealand (94).
The many faces of “Fashion”
The spectacular venue is divided into a number of clearly defined sections. In the Fashion format, haute couture rubs shoulders with streetwear, lifestyle and the very latest in footwear, designed for people with their own approach to fashion and an eye for the future. On display here was the sweetest side of Marshoes, with its Ras label glossy ballet pumps featuring big bows and strass detail. Sensuality was the name of game for Alima’s provocative peep toes, halfway between a hardcore and a pin-up look in impeccable patent leather. There will be further opportunities to see Marshoes in 2007 at WSA (Las Vegas), GDS (Düsseldorf), MICAM (Milan), Modacalzado (Madrid), APLF (Hong Kong) and OBUV (Moscow).
Ras
Alima
Pepa Karnero
Ecological footwear specialist El Naturalista announced its charity project Atauchi at BBB. Proceeds from its Nasca line will be used to build homes for disabled children in Arequipa (Peru). The label already has shops in Helsinki, Taipei and Berlin, and has plans to open its first boutique in Santa Monica in the USA in 2007.
Full of zest for life, but with hippy, sensual undertones are the accessories by Pachá. Its satin evening bags are perfect for all-night dancing on the island of Ibiza, whilst its furry ear-muffs and unusual male wallets will stand even the most energetic party-goer in good stead. Nightlife and the frenetic pace of urban living are also the point of departure for Pepa Karnero, whose youthful and feminine sport chic collection has plenty of bright colour.
The American Indians, the hippy spirit and its goals of “peace and love” were the autumn-winter inspiration for Spanish designer Sybilla’s second line Jocomomola. Sixty designs draw on Indian folklore and handcrafted finish, while others reminisce on the early days of disco culture, with plenty of sparkle and rhinestone detail, geometric patterns and the company’s trademark brightly-coloured leggings. Accessories-wise, the use of leather transports to the Wild West.
Jocomomola
Armand Basi
Csuto Barcelona
Círculo de Punto’s youth label Muchacha exhibited two very different lines at BBB: Mystic Urban was the very latest in red and white combinations, while Forest Fairy Tale was a tribute to nature and earthy shades of ochre and green. The label’s creations have proved a hit at leading retailers in China (Shanghai), France (Toulouse) and the Philippines, and it will this year be travelling to CPD (Düsseldorf), CPM (Moscow), Intermezzo Collections (New York), Coterie (New York), Project (Las Vegas) and Trends (Edmonton, Canada).
A “Superior” style
Leading ready-to-wear designers exhibited their second lines and more urban collections in the Superior section of BBB. There was chance to see the second collection for Spanish label Armand Basi by German designer Markus Lupfer, which made its debut at the Passarel·la Barcelona in January. Combining the pure lines of traditional Japanese dress with the structures of Victorian upper garments, Lupfer focuses attention on shoulders and legs. Taffeta and silk predominate in a mainly dark-coloured collection. Custo Barcelona turned back to the future searching new cuts and silhouettes understanding fashion as a celebration: colourful, extreme, happy and full of life.
Camper Kids
Chie Mihara
Vialis
Innovative Balearic footwear producer Camper presented up-to-date men’s and women’s collections at BBB, and for the first time, Camper for Kids, which made its debut at Pitti Bimbo in Florence from January 19 to 21. The next date on its tradeshow diary is CPD in Düsseldorf. Retro designs with a touch of classicism and the essence of comfort, Camper’s casual designs are playful and fun. But fun footwear can be delicate too, as Chie Mihara shows in her latest collection for women who like to dream with their feet firmly on the ground. On the verge of opening its new boutique in the hip shopping area on Madrid’s Calle Fuencarral, Vialis revealed its original shoes with a strong design component, sumptuous materials and a commitment to comfort. Munich announced its first opening in Spain at Barcelona's trendiest quarter, El Born, and Prettyballerinas showed us the funkiest ballet pumps.
The most conceptual face of fashion was on show at the Davidelfin stand. BBB marked the debut of his new sports couture line for men and women DA Davidelfin, which is a play on the Spanish verb “dar” [to give] and sees fashion as an act of generosity. Cotton T-shirts, sweat-shirts and bomber jackets, and accessories with felt crosses, embroidery, bandages and military detail are subdivided into five themes: Déménagement, Left Hand, Midnight, Deconstruction and Lifting. Another unconventional approach to fashion is that of Spanish label FredericHoms, soon to appear on new markets like Russia, South Africa and Bulgaria.
The imaginative accessories of Malababa have already won over US clients and will soon be available from Barney’s in New York. The new collection by designer Ana Carrasco, featuring the little Carlota and bustling with knots, offers an original, inspirational style which is guaranteed to set tongues wagging.
Munich
Davidelfin
Castañer
Florentino, in both its classic and trendier veins, and Castañer, with its elegant men’s shoes and craftsman’s touch, also had stands at Superior.
“Studio.04”
Studio.04 was the place to find the younger designers at this platform designed to give them international publicity. The setting, atmosphere and décor seek to make an impact and special care is taken with the architectural layout. Featured here was the new collection by Josep Abril, with a defined street look that combines perfectly with his skilful traditional tailoring. Gori de Palma exhibited designs which paid tribute to an eternal femininity, inspired by Paris and the 1950s. Luxoir presented Junk, which includes their designs for women. Unconventional as ever, the designer duo, who make their debut at this season’s Cibeles Catwalk, offer a personal approach to fashion, based on everyday objects and fresh colourful clothes.
Cimarrón
Desigual
Divinas Palabras
Two other young designers, Txell Miras and Mireya Ruiz, chose Studio.04 to present their work. Miras’s Equilibrios is a balancing act with unexpected shapes. Ruiz, on the other hand, turns women into birds, combining the casual with the luxurious. Lurex, leather, patchwork and feathers evoking wings combine in a collection dominated by black, silver, gold and ochre.
Long live “Denim”
The ever-popular blue fabric gives its name to a section characterised by youthful individualism. The Denim section, with the title “enrooted in denim”, focuses on labels in the sector ranging from the most classical to the most transgressive.
Cimarrón took three lines to BBB: Military Gala is the essence of elegance and draws on garments created for the army, with gold and silver thread and embroidered trimming; Royal Collage is reminiscent of an English school style, with velvet detail and dyed corduroy, while Rock Comtesse brings back the look sported by Prince in his heyday, evoking the singer’s glitteringly sophisticated glamour. Another Saez Merino owned label, Lois, presented its collection with innovations in both fabrics and colour palette, with the star colours being black, maroon and purple. Lois has gone for extremes of cuts, with garments that are very wide of very tight.
Vaho Works
Bóboli
Pan con Chocolate
La vida es chula or Life is cool is the title of the fruit-and-vegetable market theme of the striking Desigual stand, where talent and creativity combine with a bold casual style. Using multiple messages, the label calls on us to enjoy the simple things in life, to stop rushing around and get the most out of each moment of every day.
Urban culture at Sport & Street, bbKids for youngsters
Sport & Street is a chance to catch with urban labels, enjoy art exhibitions and see shows inspired by surfing, skate-boarding, snow-boarding or the street. This section is not just about fashion, but attitude, music, art and friendship. Spanish label Divinas Palabras presented its latest collection here. Likewise Vaho Works, which sticks to a personal philosophy of giving old objects new life, transforming them into something different and useful. The fruits of their work are ultra-modern handbags, cases and shoulder bags, like the Vaho+BBB bag.
Inside the fair
Inside the fair
Inside the fair
A show like Bread & Butter could not leave out the younger generation, so at bbKids, children and teenagers also get a look in. Bóboli exhibited its Black Winter collection, recently shown at FIMI in Valencia, while Pan con chocolate offered an irresistible folk look, with a striking combination of prints and fabrics.
The fashion tradeshow will be back in Barcelona from July 4 to 6, 2007.
