The VBBFW (Valmont Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week) trade fair has once again put up its “sold out” sign, with 429 brands having confirmed their attendance at what is set to be the largest event so far. These results reaffirm the upward trend of the VBBFW trade fair, which, after five years of sustained growth, will see a 13% rise in the number of participating brands. International firms will account for 74% of the total, confirming the event, organised by Fira de Barcelona, as a global benchmark and an international business hub in its speciality.
Valmont Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week’s trade fair will host 429 brands, a figure representing an increase of 13% compared to 2018. The fair, which put up its sold out sign three months in advance, will also see an increase in the number of international firms, set to account for 74% of the total, a figure six per cent higher than last year. The firms come mainly from 34 countries, particularly the UK, United States, Italy, Holland, Germany, Turkey, France, Portugal, Belgium, Poland, Lebanon, Israel and Ukraine among others.
These include Marchesa from the United States, one of the favourites of celebrities on red carpets throughout the world, and The Atelier from Malaysia, whose creative director is Jimmy Choo, the footwear expert and successful businessman. In 2017, the designer took over the helm of creativity of The Atelier Couture, which will present its new collection of haute couture wedding dresses on the Trade Show and at the trade fair at VBBFW 2019. Another new exhibitor at VBBFW will be Zac Posen, a well-known designer from the United States who presented his first bridal collection in 2014; this year he will debut at the Barcelona event with his brand called ZAC Zac Posen and exhibit his latest bridal, cocktail and evening wear fashion creations.
The United States will also be represented at the fair by leading firms such as Justin Alexander, Morilee, Theia, Demetrios, Enzoani, Allure, Badgley Mischka, Hayley Paige, JLM Group, Lazaro, Maggie Sottero and Randy Fenoli, the designer who appears on the Say Yes to the Dress TV show, as well as Sareh Nouri, Anne Barge, Casablanca, Sherri Hill and Savannah Miller, who’ll visit the event for the first time.
The returning Italians include Peter Langner, Carlo Pignatelli and Nicole Milano while Antonio Riva, one of the most prestigious ambassadors of made in Italy fashion in the world and a well-established name not only in Italy but also in Russia, the United States and Japan will make his début. Tosca, Maison Signore, Iris Noble, Giuseppe Papini and Valentini will also take part in the project for the first time.
As for the presence of companies from the United Kingdom, this year’s exhibition will feature David Fielden, Catherine Deane and Caroline Castigliano, together with Sassi Holford. Marylise from Belgium, Cymbeline from France, Rhea Costa and Ersa Atelier from Romania and Saiid Kobeysi from Lebanon will all be back. Liz Martinez will return from Israel and Flora, the brand founded in 2010 by designer Rinat Asher, famous for her luxury dresses, will be on show for the first time. Finally, two new Australian brands: Rachel Gilbert and Leah Da Gloria.
The Spanish firms at VBBFW 2019 will include leading brands such as Pronovias, Rosa Clará, Jesús Peiró, Yolancris, Isabel Sanchís, Sophie et Voilà, Marco y María, Novia D’Art, Cortana, Beba’s Closet, Tot Hom, Victoria (the work of Sevillian designer Vicky Martín Berrocal), the Higar Novias capsule collection created by Hannibal Laguna, Fely Campo, Sedomir Rodríguez de la Sierra, María Salas, Esther Noriega, Aire Barcelona, Inmaculada García, Sonia Peña and Carla Ruiz, among many others.
Among the new accessory firms, another Spanish company due to exhibit at the fair is Tolentino Haute Hats, the headwear atelier from Seville run by designers Manuel Carrión and Felipe Vivas, whose most loyal customers include Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian and Madonna.
We should also mention the six new talent designers: Italians Simone Marulli and Poesia Sposa and Olga Maciá, Chiffon Atelier, Mireia Balaguer and Lorena Panea from Spain.
Buyers from 64 countries
The strategic buyers directly contacted by the organization of the fair that have confirmed their attendance include some of the leading stores in 64 countries, especially in Europe, the United States, China and Japan. With the above results, the forecasts are positive and VBBFW 2019 will once again focus the attention on professionals and the global fashion audience, consolidating Barcelona as one of the most important bridal and evening wear fashion capitals in the world.
Barcelona, 11th April 2019
