Tissu Premier, September 7

 

 

 

 

The fashion fabric fair Tissu Premier launched for the 54th time this season at Lille Grand Palace, attracting a total of 410 international exhibitors, including accessories and manufacturing. With 156 French exhibitors (36%) Tissu Premier is still a predominantly French fair, with all other European exhibitors combined only making up 41% of the whole. However, the exhibition still attracted major buyers, recording a total of 6,177 decision makers visiting the exhibition over the two days. Visitors from France included, Cacharel, Kenzo, Sonia Rykiel, Promod, La Redoue-Groupe, Les 3 Suisses, Armand Thierry and Morgan; international visitors included Prada Spa, Tommy Hilfiger, Burberry, Carrefour Espagne, Per Una, Mexx, Accesorize, John Lewis, Asda Stores and Reebok.

 

        

 

Sportswear was top of this season’s agenda. Tissu Premier launched its 3rd Designers’ Expo in the new Sport & Innovation area, entitled ‘Live Sport, Breathe Fashion’. Galeries Lafayette opened their Lafayette Sport area and young designers from France and the UK created silhouettes in active, lifestyle and urban wear, with a series of spectacular presentations showing the fusion between fashion and sport, providing the major highlight in the sportswear section.

 

Following its tradition of honouring one particular country, the spotlight fell on the UK this season. Tissu Premier and the city of Lille welcomed British designer Zandra Rhodes as a patron of the Designer’s Expo. Famous for her love of colour and vibrant textile designs, Rhodes paid tribute to young designers, including seven designers from Fashion Works, who created models from fabric by France Tissu Maille inspired by Tissue Premier’s sportswear section.

 

        

 

Fabric trends for autumn/winter 2006/07 are decorative with strong prints and jacquards. Historical influences can be seen in the folkloric and paisley motifs and a nostalgic chic look gives free rein to checks, florals and embroidery.

Womenswear highlights included a veritable tidal wave of panne velvets, crisp silks, jacquards on knits or silks, informalized knits with crinkle and airy effects and embellished velvets in plain colours, printed or textured..

Soft mohair and angora are incorporated in lacey knits and rich wovens, giving a touch of soft luxury.

The top colours revealed by the traditional poll were enamel, old sofa, horizon, red carpet, ink, gilt, navy, and marble, with shades of blue proving to be the most popular choice of colour for next winter.

 

The next Tissu Premier will be held January 25 – 26 2006.