The news that Fashion Week was moving from Berlin to Frankfurt caused much rejoicing at Messe Frankfurt and in the city in June 2020. Unfortunately, neither the trade shows nor the major accompanying events could take place. Only some digital events and smaller events in the city have been held so far. And now comes the next piece of bad news: the Premium Group has decided to have its trade fairs held in Berlin again after all. Corona's plan to establish Europe's largest fashion trade fairs at the new Frankfurt location has failed - but that doesn't mean the end of Frankfurt Fashion Week.
Because the city of Frankfurt has responded to the Premium Group's regrettable decision by reaffirming its commitment to Fashion Week in the Main metropolis. Messe Frankfurt, the City of Frankfurt and the State of Hesse are convinced that the holistic concept of Frankfurt Fashion Week offers contemporary answers to the needs of the market and will continue to promote the demands of the industry to establish a one-stop solution in Frankfurt. Even if the Premium Group trade fairs are missing, further trade fairs, brand staging, runways, conferences and events throughout the city are to be fully implemented as planned for the first time in July 2022 following the Corona restrictions. Frankfurt is also to become an important fashion city in this way.
This was also underlined by Lord Mayor Peter Feldmann: "I am pleased that our trade fair has organized Frankfurt Fashion Week from the very beginning and will continue to do so. Because the two previous editions have shown: Frankfurt can do fashion. Because Frankfurt is creative, Frankfurt is international and Frankfurt inspires. This was tangible at the various events, whether digital or in presence. As a city in the middle of Europe, we are a magnet for talent from all over the world. The topics of fashion, sustainability and retail are therefore Frankfurt topics. I have no doubt: our trade fair brings the know-how to lead Frankfurt Fashion Week into a successful future."
"We regret this decision, but at the same time we remain convinced that with the holistic ecosystem of Frankfurt Fashion Week we can offer the industry and all participants a contemporary and relevant service. The central location, the international textile network of Messe Frankfurt with over 50 events worldwide, the cooperation with the United Nations Office for Partnerships as well as the strong local creative industry are just a few of many good reasons for this. The reduced start due to the pandemic already met with a very positive response in the media and the industry and showed that we are on the right track. We will shortly be approaching the industry and the media with further information. Basically, we have no reason to fundamentally change the concept of Frankfurt Fashion Week," said Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles & Textile Technologies of Messe Frankfurt.
The integration of competencies and partnerships offered by Messe Frankfurt's so-called Texpertise Network, with more than 50 textile trade fairs worldwide each year, also reflects the verticalization reality of the fashion market. This gives Frankfurt Fashion Week an international uniqueness. Through the partnership with the Conscious Fashion and Lifestyle Network in cooperation with the United Nations Office for Partnerships, the consistent focus of Frankfurt Fashion Week on its strategic pillars of "Applied Sustainability" and "Applied Digitalization" as well as the orientation towards the Sustainable Development Goals, the makers address the central future issues of the entire economic sector.
So Frankfurt Fashion Week will be different than planned. A very special event for all who are interested in fashion, creativity but also in topics such as sustainability, it should still be - if it can finally take place properly for the first time in the summer. We will keep you up to date.
