Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week returns from April 19 to 23 with a new director – WWD

Milan — Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week is already gearing up for its upcoming edition with a new director.

Albasari Caro was named head of the bridal show last month, replacing Istermaria LaRuccia, who left after seven years.

Caro plans to move forward with a sustainable brand, but says she’s eager to expand the trade show’s international appeal and status as an industry reference point beyond business.

“Ultimately, we want everyone in the industry to have FOMO when they think about the dates,” Caro said in a Zoom interview from Barcelona.

The trade show, which took place from April 19 to 23 at the Fira de Barcelona, ​​on Tuesday, focused on the theme and concept of the publication on the world of cinema.

After the 2022 Viktor & Rolf show, a guest designer is expected next year as well, but his name is being kept under wraps.

Boasting a 25-year history in Spain’s fashion and retail scene, Caro’s latest, 10-year gig at Pronovias gave her deep knowledge of the industry.

We continue to lead by being several steps ahead of the curve. We are a trade fair, for sure, but we don’t sell square meters, what we sell is inspiration, a reference for the bridal industry, that’s what we always aspire to,” she said.

This involves adding value to the traditional business-to-business platform through talks, which Caro likens to “Bridal Ted Talks,” and further basing the strength of the show on its networking segments.

“I know buyers – and multi-product buyers in particular – know each of their microcosms in their cities… Obviously they come to buy collections, to discover new brands, and that continues to be true. But what we can offer them is that they won’t get anywhere else.” [is] It’s also a networking opportunity and industry talk,” she explained.

With increasing supply chain issues and shortening lead times for brides-to-be, creating challenges in terms of meeting inventory, pre-orders and radical changes – think continuous production, different offerings and more – Caro emphasized the role of the show. A leading light for the industry.

“We will exchange ideas and be a place where people can get knowledge from the industry, not only in fashion, but trends in the industry… Tips, knowledge, best practices, we will be a place where we can all come together and share… We are competitors but ultimately we share the same customers.” [our aim is] “To create an independent space where everyone can come and learn, not just to shop,” she added.

The discussion section will expand from 2024, but the clues will be in next year’s edition, Caro said.

The fair’s brands and buyers are mostly international, the executive said, with 75 percent and 80 percent coming from outside Spain.

“That added value is always an incentive for buyers and brands to come, that’s how we see it. It’s an incentive, because the buyers themselves want to come, the leading buyer doesn’t come and send a second buyer, because that’s the place,” she argued.

She is adamant about maintaining the format of the fairgrounds by integrating the exhibition with the fashion shows.

“We’re at the premier trade show, there’s no doubt about that. People come here to do business, order and sell. What we do is what matters,” she said.

Caro aims to further enhance the international appeal of the trade show. She said the group is currently hunting key players in under-represented markets, including South Korea and Japan.

“It’s always a challenge, mainly because of the distance, and they’re completely different markets, but they’re still very interesting for us. We really want to grow there and we’re looking to bring both brands and buyers… because we feel there’s a huge potential for new and exciting things here.” So what we have is a win-win for buyers and brands,” she explained.