Within the framework of UNITED FASHION, the Belgian partners MAD Brussels and Flanders DC are joining forces and invite you to participate in a digital showroom, taking place from February until July 2021.
With this initiative the project partners want to anticipate on the shift in the fashion industry accelerated by covid19 and give a selection of Europe’s finest innovative and sustainable fashion brands the opportunity to test this platform and present their collection to a selection of international buyers.
CHECKING ALL THE BOXES ?
1. Innovative brand with a strong identity
We are looking for innovative fashion and accessories brands with a strong brand and collection identity. The designers are required to have a minimum of one-year existence and to show FW21/22 collections.
2. Sustainable approach
The UF partner organisations are strongly convinced that a sustainable approach to fashion is not an option anymore but a must for companies that want to make an impact on issues that really matter today. Being socially-conscious is starting to become an expectation for today’s consumers. The way consumers connect with companies is changing. Today’s consumers want to feel an affinity with their favourite businesses, based on shared ideals.
The digital showroom will take place during the final festival of UNITED FASHION, that will focus on some current, sustainability challenges, tackled in conferences. An exhibition will question the current value chain in the fashion industry in terms of sustainability, overconsumption, and alternative business models.
Echoing the approach of the final festival, we are looking for business models that have the potential to participate in the transformation of the fashion industry.
Tell us how your brand is making the transition to sustainable fashion (Local production, eco-responsible materials, transparency regarding the suppliers, design for longevity, zero-waste patterns, upcycling…).
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU ?
The selected brands will be presented on the UNITED FASHION showroom page for a period of 6 months with links to their personal brand pages. Each designer or brand has the possibility to shape their page, to upload videos, campaign pictures and news articles. The digital platform provides additional features such as the ex- portation of line sheets and the possibility to organise e-meetings with buyers.
The organizer invites a selection of national and international buyers from known multi-brand boutiques, e-commerce platforms and multidepartment stores. Two commercial agents will be engaged to ensure that minimum 20 quali- tative buyers matching the DNA of the designers, visit the digital showroom. Scheduled appointments between buyers and designers will be set up.
This action is organized with the support of MAD Brussels, Flanders DC, HUB Brussels and Creative Europe and is carried out by 7 organizations active in the fashion sector all over Europe.
PARTICIPATION CRITERIA?
Eligibility criteria
• Ready-to-wear and accessories collection to showcase abroad: Men/women;
• Minimum of one-year professional experience;
• Innovative DNA;
• Strong and consistent communication;
• Distribution brand vision + strategic export plan (clear vision on potential markets);
• Campaign photos + pack shots of collection FW21/22 to present on digital platform; Videos are an asset.
Selection criteria
• Brand & collection identity;
• Quality of the presentation and communication material;
• Product quality;
• Sustainable approach is an asset.
TIMELINE ?
Mid-January: Campaign photos and pack shots of collection should be ready Beginning of February 2021: Implementation of collections data on the personal brand pages
End of February 2021: Start of the digital showroom
OFFER ?
• A subscription to a well-known digital showroom platform for 6 months (February – July 2021);
• Exposure to your potential international buyers;
• A guarantee that minimum 20 qualitative buyers will visit the digital showroom;
• Possibility to share with your own database of buyers;
• Possibility to organize e-meetings with buyers;
SUBSCRIPTIONS ?
Fill in the form and submit your portfolio (via Wetransfer) to info@fashionweekendskopje.mk & united.fashion@mad.brussels
Your application should be sent by the 4th of January 2021 at the latest.
UNITED FASHION is co-financed by the Creative Europe programme of the EU 🇪🇺
