modebranchen.NU NU International no. 1 January 2020 Fashion Part | Page 26

LE ADS THE WAY
M
ILM
A/W 20/21 TRENDS AT ILM IN OFFENBACH
The ILM Winter Styles 2020 takes place in
Offenbach from 29 February to 2 March 2020
and will present the latest collections of bags,
accessories and luggage sectors for Autumn/
Winter 2020/21.
When it comes to bags, accessories, leather
goods and luggage, ILM in Offenbach is leading
the way to the latest trends.
BY HELLE MATHIESEN
In September 2019, once again ILM confir-
med its role as a leading trade fair for bags,
leather goods and the luggage industry.
There was a lot of ordering going on every
day in the exhibition halls.
The ILM has developed into an important
marketplace for the industry, not only in
Germany but also for the international spe-
cialist trade. Beyond Europe, more and more
buyers from the USA, Asia and the Middle
East are coming to Offenbach to place their
orders.
- We are delighted that the ILM offers exhibi-
tors and visitors a stable and secure shore
in these turbulent times. Alongside the tra-
ditional leather goods trade, we are seeing
an increasing number of shoe and textile
retailers as well as buyers from well-known
department and concept stores who are vi-
siting the fair to supplement their range of
bags and accessories. Messe Offenbach
has won the market position with its inter-
nationally unique range of products, said
Arnd Hinrich Kappe, Managing Director of
the trade fair.
INNOVATION AND INSPIR ATION
At the 151st fair, around 300 exhibitors
presented their collections on an area of
roughly 13,000 square metres, divided into
different product segments. The percenta-
ge of foreign suppliers again increased, con-
firming the growing international character
of the trade fair. Exhibits ranged from bags
and small leather goods, through luggage,
business and school items to umbrellas,
belts and fashion accessories. All the well-
known labels in the bag and accessory sce-
ne were represented in Offenbach, but also
a lot of young, exciting new names.
And it should not be forgotten that the ILM
is also an essential location for the impor-
tant baggage segment.
ORDER AND EXCHANGE
Valuable inspiration was also provided
by the series of lectures on fashion and
POS strategies, which had been extended
further, as well as the newly staged ILM
Fashion Shows. The modern "Runway"
concept by Bettina von Bassewitz, with
very high-quality choreographed shows,
was very well received by exhibitors and
buyers. The shows were divided into diffe-
rent topics - "Bag World” and "Travel World”
- giving buyers precise and focussed in-
formation. The new and very elegantly de-
signed lookbook for the season helped re-
tailers and sales staff to consolidate their
fashion know-how.
In September the ILM proved that it is a
stable and reliable event, and the industry
is already looking forward to the next fair:
The ILM Winter Styles 2020 will be held in
Offenbach from 29 February to 2 March
2020 and will present the latest collections
of bags, accessories and luggage sectors
for Autumn/Winter 2020/21.