FASHION

Danish clothing design to the world

BY NIELS BJØRN-HANSEN

FASHION FAIR: Copenhagen International Fashion Fair has become the largest and most comprehensive in Europe. Danish fashion wear – from the exclusive to the mass-produced – has grown into the country’s fourth largest export industry

The 30th Copenhagen International Fashion Fair (CIFF) set a record this spring with 1,200 exhibitors. CIFF is being held at the Bella Center, a few minutes drive from Copenha-gen Airport. At the previous fashion fair in August 2007, there were 1,034 exhibitors. It is Europe’s largest fashion fair according to the Federation of Danish Textile & Clothing, but lack of space is now becoming an issue.

“We soon won’t have more floor space available here at the Bella Center”, says exhibition manager Peter Sabroe, Copenhagen International Fashion Fair. “The fashion fair has become increasingly popular among our talented designers and exhibitors. They are primarily Danish and Swedish, but there are also representatives from the Norwegian and Finnish clothing design industry”.

In order to create space for all the exhibitors, a new pavilion has been built – Superior Hall – where jeans and young & urban fashion are being showcased. The shoe company Hacken Busch also has a showroom there.

The increasing popularity of the fashion fair is also reflected in the export figures from Danish fashion companies. Today, the textile and clothing industry in Denmark generates revenues of DKK 32 billion and has grown into the fourth largest export industry. Exports, which are close to passing DKK 19 billion, have increased by 8% in the last year.

The Danish capital Copenhagen hosts three fashion fairs each year. Besides CIFF, there is Gallery at Forum, also headed by Peter Sabroe, and CPH Vision at the Øxnehallerne. All three fairs collaborate closely to make it as easy as possible for the many buyers who come to Copenhagen. The buyers generate revenues of DKK 380 million at the fashion fairs, so it is important that everything works smoothly for them. They come primarily from the Nordic region, Germany, UK, Ireland, Holland and Belgium. In total 42 countries are represented among the buyers.

Some of the exhibitors sign contracts with the buyers during the three days of the fashion fair, while others solely show their products and make agreements later. A number of the leading Danish fashion companies are among the exhibitors including Brandtex , IC Companys and Red Green.

“In association with Copenhagen International Fashion Fair, a desk is set up in Copenha-gen Airport which helps the foreign buyers to navigate more easily to hotels and so on”, says Peter Sabroe. “The Bella Center, where the fashion fair is held, is only 5 minutes drive from the airport so it couldn’t be easier.”

“Copenhagen Airport acts as a welcome centre to the capital, and at the fashion fair we create good interplay. My task is, as a sort of coach, to get things to work together in the best way”, concludes exhibition manager Peter Sabroe.