PARIS — Textiles trade fair Première Vision will fall back to a more familiar seasonal schedule.
The show, which has been held in July since 2022, will return to its original berth with September dates resuming next year.
To further differentiate, the younger Blossom show will adjust its dates to take seasonal spots at “the start of summer” and December. The show, which launched in 2016, showcases pre-collections from independent brands.
The two announcements mark the first steps in a strategic shift under Florence Rousson, who took over the trade fairs as the general manager of organizer GL Events fashion division in March.
The date changes “reflect our determination to support the markets through our willingness to change the rules, take up new challenges, and speed the transformation necessary to Première Vision, to the creation of our fashion division, and to the development of all our brands,” she said in a statement. “We are convinced that in this way, by working hand in hand with the sector, Première Vision is returning to its original mission: to serve as a catalyst for growth for the entire industry.”
The July date for Première Vision had been clashing in some attendees’ calendars, as it was following the growing Preco Paris fair in June, and nudging up against Milan Unica, which was held just five days later. Buzz at this year’s conference was that many exhibitors had bypassed Première Vision altogether and decamped for the Italian edition instead.
The date change comes as Rousson is revamping the trade fair amid falling attendance numbers and a lackluster buzz. Organizer GL Events is overhauling the traditional format to counter the emptier aisles, including adding one-on-one consulting and matchmaking for luxury brands.
It also spent 2 million euros during the last edition to bring big brands to the fair by sponsoring airfare, transport and hotel accommodations for about 250 buyers from around the world.
The generous plan saw several U.S.-based brands take part. Calvin Klein, Lane Bryant, Nordstrom, Tom Ford and Vince were among the corporate players invited, while smaller designers receiving the five-star treatment included Alice + Olivia, Bode, Dion Lee, Kith and Trina Turk. Chinese megabrand Icicle also participated.
“To actively help shape a new era for the fashion industry as it develops new models driven by the challenges of sustainable transformation, technological innovation, changing consumer habits, economic development issues and more, the fashion division of the GL events group is rethinking its event formats, positionings and calendars to reflect these rapid industry transformations, and thus roll out the right offer, at the right time, in the right places,” the company added in a statement.
The company also continues to develop its localized concepts, including Première Vision New York, which is positioned to cater to up-and-coming brands, and Première Vision Shenzhen, which is heavy on supplier showcases.
Première Vision will run Feb. 11 to 13 and Sept. 16 to 18, 2025. The next edition of Blossom will be held Dec. 11 to 12 while the official dates for the June 2025 edition have yet to be revealed.
