The VBBFW (Valmont Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week) trade fair has once again put up its “sold out” sign, with more than 400 brands having confirmed their attendance at what is set to be the largest event so far. These results reaffirm the upward trend of VBBFW, which, after five years of sustained growth, will witness a 10% rise in the number of participating brands. International firms will account for 70% of the total, firmly establishing the exhibition, organized by Fira de Barcelona, as a world leader and a hub of international business for bridal, cocktail and evening wear fashion and accessories.
400 brands have confirmed their attendance at Valmont Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week’s trade exhibition, an increase of 10% on last year. As a result of the excellent pace of bookings for the exhibition space, the fair put up its “sold out” sign in January, with three months still to go before the event. The number of international firms has also increased by three percentage points with respect to last year, accounting for 70% of the total. The brands come mainly from 34 countries, particularly the UK, USA, Italy, Holland, Germany, Turkey, France, Portugal, Belgium, Poland, Lebanon, Israel and Ukraine among others.
Marchesa, The Atelier by Jimmy Choo, Antonio Riva and Zac Posen, due to make their débuts in Barcelona
We should highlight Marchesa from the USA, which will present its creations at the trade fair and its Marchesa Bridal Couture Spring 2020 collection and a selection of party dresses from its Ready to Wear line on the Barcelona Bridal Night catwalk (scheduled for 24 April). This will be the first time that this North American brand, among the most admired in the world, displays its bridal collection in Europe.
The “new entries” also include The Atelier Couture from Malaysia, whose creative director is Jimmy Choo, the famous footwear specialist and successful entrepreneur. 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 catwalk and at the trade fair at VBBFW 2019.
Another designer making his début at VBBFW 2019 will be Zac Posen, very well-known in the USA, who staged his first fashion show at the age of just 21. Also, highly popular for his role in the TV show Project Runway, he presented his first bridal collection in 2014 and this year he’ll arrive in Barcelona with his ZAC Posen brand to showcase 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, JLM Group, Hayley Paige, 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 and Savannah Miller, who’ll visit the event for the first time.
The returning Italians include Peter Langner and Carlo Pignatelli, 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 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, 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, Aire, Inmaculada García, Sonia Peña and Carla Ruiz, among many others.
Buyers from 64 countries
The rate of attendance confirmations is very positive and, according to the forecasts, the figure of 21,000 visitors recorded in 2018 will be exceeded. Similarly, 76% of the strategic buyers directly contacted by the event’s organization have already confirmed their attendance. These include some of the leading stores in 64 countries and are chiefly from Europe, the United States, China and Japan. With the above results, VBBFW 2019 will refocus the attention of professionals and the global fashion audience, consolidating Barcelona as one of the most important bridal and evening wear fashion capitals in the world.
The Valmont Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week trade fair will open from 26 to 28 April, following the fashion show that will take place from 23 to 26 April. Both the fashion show and the trade fair will be held at Fira de Barcelona’s Montjuïc venue.
Barcelona, 05 March 2019
Images of last year’s event are here
Mª Gloria Dilluvio – Fira de Barcelona Press
(+34) 609 73 47 70 – (+34) 93 233 21 72
gdilluvio@firabarcelona.com
Eva Martín – XXL
(+34) 93 452 65 00
eva@xxlcomunicacion.com
