A new year

The year is ending. 

The Fédération was very active in 2017 and, with cooperation from you and DEFI, was able to develop numerous activities and programs to serve you: 
       
– The Traffic trade show on 5 and 6 April 2017 was created with you in mind; it attracted 2,000 professionals and brands who were welcomed by 80 exhibitors at the Carreau du Temple.         
– Three strategic studies on wholesale, CSR (corporate social responsibility), and digital technology were presented at conferences in Paris, Lyon, and Marseille. These reports will soon be the topics of workshops for brands who want to find out more.         
– 60 businesses were assisted by the Fédération’s Business Services Division in managing their growth.    
– The new Talents project provides coaching and mentoring for five promising young brands.     
– 10 Afterworks events hosted by the Fédération drew over 800 participants and gave you the opportunity to discuss a diverse range of important topics such as financing, e-commerce, international marketplaces, and business 4.0.        
– The second Forum de la Mode was organised in conjunction with the Ministry of the Economy, the Ministry of Culture, and the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode. Both Ministers participated in the forum.       
– 400 businesses got help with international development, whether through Fédération trade shows (Mode in France Tokyo and Mode in France Taipei), the leading international shows. Two Agents & Brands meetings connected 63 participants with 37 showrooms, department stores, and concept stores. A Focus Africa program helped around 20 businesses understand the challenges of selling in West and South Africa and also introduced them to key distribution professionals. The first edition of the Fédération magazine for international buyers was widely available at trade shows, showrooms, and multibrand partners during the last Fashion Week.           
– And many other terrific projects we’ve told you about in the 2017 Newsletters. 

2018, which looks set for a modest but real recovery for fashion consumption, must be approached as an opportunity to continue our strategic activities, and with the same energy! 

Our top priorities are always yours:      
     
– Wholesale and developing sales           
– International markets      
– Corporate social responsibility        
– Digital technology     
– Business financing 

For now, I wish you a wonderful holiday season … with hopes that it will prove to be a turnaround for consumption and a boost for sales! 

 Pierre-François Le Louët