Over 260 brands will be showcasing around 20,000 wedding dresses, grooms’ attire, occasion and ceremony dresses, communion outfits and all kinds of accessories that we’ll be seeing in the stores and at weddings next spring. Some 58% of exhibitors at the show, which is for trade visitors only, are from abroad, mainly the United Kingdom, United States and the Netherlands.
The show thus reaffirms its status as the world’s showcase for bridal fashion, bringing together the offerings of the top national and international firms in the sector and thousands of buyers from all over the world. According to forecasts, there will be around 400 key buyers, contacted directly by the show, from 40 countries, especially Europe and the United States.
The show is cementing its European leadership and presenting the latest collections of 260 exhibitors, representing an increase of 13% compared to last year. International participation has also increased: this year, foreign brands account for 58% of the total, some eight percentage points higher than in 2015. Countries include the United Kingdom, United States, France, Turkey, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, Lebanon, Poland, Ukraine, Hong Kong, Germany, Greece, Norway, Denmark and Israel. In total, some 20,000 pieces will be on show from these collections of wedding dresses, accessories and ceremonial dresses.
It is also worth noting the high loyalty level of exhibitors at Barcelona Bridal Week, with 75% repeating the experience year after year thanks to the excellent results they obtain, as well as the welcome addition of new national and international firms who are exhibiting for the first time this year. The show sold out more than two months’ ago when the last available stand space was taken.
Some 400 foreign buyers are also expected to attend the event, invited directly by BBFW through its Special Guest Program to attract key international buyers with the greatest purchasing power to the show. This year a particular emphasis has been put on buyers from the USA, Germany, the UK, France and Italy with the aim of consolidating the US and European markets.
Target countries, strategy and internationalisation
According to Estermaria Laruccia: ‘For the past 26 years, Barcelona Bridal Week has been the platform of reference for the bridal sector, one of the most dynamic in the Spanish economy and one that enjoys great prestige in the rest of Europe and, indeed, the world. The key buyers we have invited are important decision-makers for major foreign retail chains and distributors interested in Spanish products thanks to their innovative designs, artisan manufacture and outstanding value for money, as well as the numerous international brands taking part in the show.’
