3 minutes
Première Vision trade show determined to stay in Istanbul
Two years after its launch, the Première Vision Istanbul trade show held its fifth edition from 19th to 21st October, hosting 111 exhibitors within a troubled political and security environment. At the Première Vision Blossom show, held in Paris on the 13th and 14th December, the director of the international Première Vision trade shows Guglielmo Olearo talked to FashionNetwork about Turkey's unsettled atmosphere and the show's future.
FashionNetwork: Given Turkey's political situation, is the future of PV Istanbul in question?
Guglielmo Olearo: We will stand our ground in Turkey. The Première Vision Istanbul show has worked very well last October, to an extent that was a surprise for me too. To spell it out, I was worried about the last edition. Not about security, but about the show's success, given the Turkish context. But I was pleasantly surprised by the number of visitors who made it eventually, especially visitors from outside Turkey. We had a greater attendance than usual from Russia, the Ukraine, Bulgaria and Romania. Notably because reshoring is now a reality in eastern Europe, with many brands keen to bring their manufacturing operations closer to home. As prices are increasingly competitive with China, reshoring allows both more flexibility and the possibility to introduce a fast-fashion strategy. There was also a renewed interest by the Iranian textile industry. I was honestly amazed by this edition's success, we nearly topped the 7,000 visitors mark. And the feedback from exhibitors was positive. We are already promoting the next edition, with several companies returning and even increasing their exhibition area.
FNW: What is your local partners' reaction?
GO: Of course, Turkey has experienced much turmoil since last year, and until very recently. For the Turkish people however, uncertainty has become a part of everyday life. We are enjoying a positive relationship with local partners and associations. They are convinced that Première Vision was already working well in the rest of the world, as shown by the partnerships we set up in connection with the Paris show, both for textile and denim, and in New York. We still handle the organisation and the advertising ourselves, while ITKIB, the Turkish textile and apparel association, is very proactive with regards to the show, and highly committed to it. Their target is still to achieve €100 billion in exports by 2023, across all sectors. As fashion and textiles are the country's second largest industry, they are putting a lot of effort into it.
FNW: What is Istanbul's current standing among Première Vision shows?
GO: We believe in this market, and in our show in Istanbul. There is significant potential in the [local] apparel industry, and in emerging fashion brands and manufacturers. Their output is gradually increasing in quality. We are sure that Istanbul is the right launching pad to reach all countries from eastern Europe to the Arab peninsula to North Africa. Absolutely sure. Of course, we have our worries, it is only human. Personally, I was there during four terrorist attacks. Both exhibitors and visitors have been asking questions, and we have asked ourselves questions too. But not about whether we will continue to hold the show. We are strongly committed to our exhibitors, visitors and partners. We have tightened up the entire security apparatus, and have extended the monitored access area. Because we must be well aware that life goes on in Istanbul: Turkish people are responding well, and they continue to go about their business.
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