Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building looks set to be at the centre of two new trade fairs competing for the boutique designer fashion dollar.
Thibaud and Claire Cau-Cecile, who founded homewares trade show Life Instyle before it was acquired by Reed Exhibitions late last year, are set to launch The Wearer’s Right in September. The biannual event is aimed at the ready-to-wear market and will be backed with the launch of an online and print fashion publication.
Thibaud confirmed the fair, which has enlisted Chronicles of Never founder Gareth Moody as its ambassador, is aiming to enlist around 80 to 100 exhibitors for the launch edition with categories such as ‘progressive denim/street’, ‘high-end contemporary’ and a curated installation for ‘emerging designers’. Thiabaud was in the process of locking in Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building as a potential venue for the September 18 to 20 fair at the time of press.
“Rosemount Australian Fashion Week focuses on designers showcasing their spring/summer collections so we thought this would be a good opportunity to showcase their autumn winter collection,” he said. “We will work closely with designers to ensure the right look and feel for their brand and will custom-build all racks and fittings to accommodate their requirements.”
However, the launch event is scheduled to take place a month after the autumn/winter edition of Premiere, which will be hosted in the same venue during August. Premiere debuted to strong exhibitor sales in Sydney over the spring/summer season this year, featuring 108 designer stands including Alex Perry, By Malene Birger and Earnest Sewn.
The event is operated by Australian Exhibitions and Conferences (AEC), which is also responsible for the biannual Fashion Exposed trade fair. While the inaugural Premiere trade show was co-located with Fashion Exposed in March, AEC managing director Marie Kinsella said the two programs will operate to different formats for future seasons.
“These are two separate events and will remain so going forward, however for the first one it made sense to have them closely located,” she said.
Assia Benmedjdoub