Trend seminars to feature at trade fair

MELBOURNE: A word in the right ear has paid big dividends for the organisers of trade fair Fashion Exposed.
The group behind the biannual event, Australian Exhibitions and Conferences, has booked the principal of leading international trend consultancy service Jenkins UK to headline its new series of educational seminars.
Re-introduced back into the impending Melbourne installment of the event for the first time since 2000, the seminars program aims to equip attendees with the necessary trend information to make them more confident in their purchasing decisions.
Staged in consultation with Ragtrader, the series features four talks over the duration of the three-day event with key note speakers covering trend-based toThe list of guest speakers due to make an appearance for the September 4 to 6 event include Jenkins, Chris Stone from Chris Stone Designs and Tony Bannister from trend agency Scout. A talk by Fashion Group International includes a panel discussion with speakers including designer Joshua Scacheri of Subfusco and stylist to the stars Madonna Melrose making an appearance.
AEC managing director Marie Kinsella said the decision to stage the series had been driven by demand from the industry.
"Seminars were an important part of the Fashion Exposed program when it first commenced in 2000. Over the past few years there has been a greater emphasis on the 'theatre' of [the event] rather than the strong educational component. We survey visitors after each fair and we are responding to an overwhelming demand on more information regarding trends both within Australia and around the world."
Kinsella said the hour-long seminars would be staged at 9.30am and at 11.30am on the first two days of the event to maximise the opportunity for exhibitors, as well as visitors, to take part in the proceedings.
Ragtrader publisher Tracy Yaffa said she was very pleased to be involved with the event.
"The seminars offer a fantastic opportunity for us to increase our buy-in in this dynamic industry."
Tickets for the seminars cost $44 and pre-booking is essential.