Amsterdam International Fashion Week (AIFW) came to a successful close last Sunday. The four-day event attracted an estimated 7,000 visitors. AIFW is working hard to put Amsterdam on the fashion map, and it appears to be taking effect.

The event included the "New Luxury" fashion fairs District, ten catwalk shows and a host of other fashion presentations. AIFW coincided with the tradefair Modefabriek, but the two fairs do not work together.

District, an upmarket, trendy fair hosting jeanswear and main designer lines, took place at the Westergasfabriek, an old gas factory. The bigger Modefabriek is ultimately more commercial and business-like. Taking place on the other side of town, at the RAI congress centre, the Modefabriek opened its doors for the eighteenth time, while District was conceived last year.

Over 20% of the buyers at District were from abroad, mostly from Japan and Italy. The UK sent buyers from shops like Selfridges and Liberty. Meanwhile, 95% of buyers at the Modefabriek are from the Benelux, which demonstrates the local importance of this fair.

District played host to 105 brands, up from 77 last year. District manager, Debbie Tomkinson, indicated that another hall would be added next season, whereby the number of exhibitors is expected to climb to 150. At the Modefabriek a total of 400 brands took up their stands for the event, up from 300 brands last season.