Follow us on
07/09/2007
Kidswear conquers Valencia
Stand de Ágatha Ruiz de la Prada
FACT FILE
Spanish Exhibitors: 5.742
Total net surface area: 6.000 square meters
Location: Feria de Valencia
CONTACT
Avenida de las Ferias, s/n
46035 Valencia
Tel.: 34 902 747 210
fimi@feriavalencia.com
http://www.feriavalencia.com/fimi
NEXT SHOW DATES
January 11-13 2008
The 65th International Children’s and Young People’s Fashion Fair, otherwise known as FIMI was attended by 6,247 trade visitors, 8% of whom came from abroad and in particular from Portugal, Italy, France and Britain. A total of 247 brands presented their spring-summer 08 collections at the tradeshow.
DC Kids
Marina Hernández
Oh Soleil
Young swimwear
Swimwear is one of the top features of the July edition of FIMI. Classics included DC Kids by Dolores Cortés. But this time, there was also a strong showing from Tenerife, the Canary Island currently celebrating the tenth anniversary of its Tenerife Moda event. One of its mainstays is designer Marina Hernández, who has moved away from the classical colours and naïve aesthetics we are more used to seeing in children’s beachwear, in favour of designs modelled on the adult versions. Founded in 1994, the company operates in Britain, Portugal and South Africa.
Another brand from Tenerife, Oh Soleil, founded in 2000, brought the most exuberant swimwear to FIMI. Drawing inspiration from the most diverse cultures (Provence, India, flamenco, urban...), the brand presented a bright and cosmopolitan selection of swimsuits, bikinis, pareos, boxers and knickers, already on sale in Portugal and Italy.
Rubio Kids
Victorio & Lucchino Junior
Pan con chocolate
Childhood romanticism
A number of brands went for the dreamy, romantic side of kidswear. Rubio Kids by Hortensia Maeso, whose global expansion is imminent, offered a “formal” collection in keeping with its “fashion with nostalgia” slogan. Beige and pastel shades, flowers, frills and swirling skirts take us back to the days when children donned their Sunday best. For a touch of luxury, the brand has used silk in a cutting-edge look with metallic and even plasticised finishes.
The delicate prints of Victorio & Lucchino Junior did not disappoint their fans, in this cotton collection with novel pattern designs and elaborate finishes.
Pan con chocolate, owned by Haur Moda and created by Carmen Isusquiza, brought its baby, boys’ and girls’ collections to FIMI. For babies, it offers both timeless, versatile clothes in pastel shades, and colourful garments with bright contrasts. For girls, it has irresistible diaphanous dresses in white with embroidered waists, and for boys a casual urban look.
A splash of colour
The most colourful offering again came from Ágatha Ruiz de la Prada, who exhibited a selection of clothes in warm shades of orange, yellow, red and pink. Key features included big flowers, stars and hearts in designs that revealed careful pattern cut.
Ágatha Ruiz de la Prada
Tuc Tuc
Foque
The big novelty from Tuc Tuc for the spring-summer 08 collection is the new version of Circo, entitled Circo Soft. Lions, giraffes and elephants are still the brand’s mascots, but this time in paler shades of blue and pink.
Having already launched ready-to-wear, tights, sock and shoe collections, Foque chose FIMI for the debut of its latest offering, FQ62 for boys. Stylish and spontaneous, the new range has co-ordinated polo-shirts, tees, jackets, jumpers and trousers. Designed by young Pilar López, it includes two lines: FQ62 Classic, of nautical inspiration and PQ62 Casual, with more innovative garments featuring stripes, check and “cool” prints.
Tutto Piccolo, which recently started operating in a number of Arab states, presented a comfortable collection with an irresistible feel, using tricot, piqué and cotton in white and pastel shades.
Cuquito
Calzados Eli
El Caballo Bebé
Best foot forward
Footwear brands also had a strong showing at FIMI. Cuquito went for a variety of styles for spring-summer 08. Its Vintage, Classic and Party lines, in white, ecru and pastel shades, all had novelties on offer like the central button-fastening on bar-shoes. Cuquito Luxe dazzled with little gold buttons and real pearl fastenings, while Casual used a monogram style for babies, with designs in acidic tones with Cuquito printed on them. Minorca’s popular abarca sandal got an update in the Sunny range, with striking satin ribbons. To wear around the home, Cuquito Soft had comfortable, flexible slippers designed by Valencia’s prestigious Biomechanics Institute, offering total mobility whatever the position of the feet.
Calzados Eli, with its Eli, Cucada, Papanatas and Eli Driver brands had plenty on offer at FIMI. Founded in 1957, the company makes more than 250,000 pairs of shoes each year and operates in Hong Kong, Korea, Panama, Dominican Republic, Russia and the European Union.
El Caballo Bebé is a new line of baby accessories from the long-established Andalusian company. On offer were carrycots and bags in light shades for mothers looking for classic quality.
FIMI Catwalks
The FIMI exhibition once again included its eagerly-awaited Catwalk, which this time had three separate sections. First came swimwear, with designs by DC Kids, Oh Soleil and Marina Hernández. This was followed by Magic Day, which offered bridesmaid, pageboy and other ceremonial outfits from Barcarola, Paqui Barroso and Bugui Bugui. Then finally came the traditional FIMI catwalk, with chance to see top Spanish and international brands like Agatha Ruiz de la Prada Baby, AKR Kids, Laranjinha, Lourdes, Mini a Ture, Pan con Chocolate, Rubio Kids, Tuc Tuc and Tutto Piccolo. On this occasion, the inspiration for the catwalk design was inspired by the Americas Cup hosted by Valencia. Its location in the central hall made it the show’s major attraction.
Paqui Barroso
Bugui Bugui
Barcarola
Valencia will be hosting the next FIMI tradeshow from January 11 to 13, 2008.
FIMI catwalk, spring-summer 08
Fhotographer: Tomy Pelluz
