Vibrant edition B&B Barcelona

Bread&Butter Barcelona once again took place last week under a bright blue January sky. Throngs of fashionista's and members of the fashion industry converged on the extensive grounds of the fashion trade fair, which welcomed a record number of visitors this season. Although the final numbers have yet to be published, it is safe to say that this edition enjoyed a spectacular start. For three days, visitors and press swarmed over the fair grounds. The beautiful weathter and mellow temperatures added to the festive atmosphere, as loud music sounded from every corner and visitors made the most of the various catering facilities and attractions. Some 1,000 brands, spread out over six different halls, participated in this edition. The halls were so packed that people were even standing in line to be admitted into the various stands! The Denim hall, in particular, attracted a large number of visitors.

"It's been so busy that we haven't even had time to eat a quick bite," said Killick Datta, chairman and chief executive of GBMI, a leading global designer and manufacturer of shoes, including labels like Diesel, 7 For All Mankind and Nautica. The company's stand is situated in Superior , the hall that houses the more upmarket designer and urban wear brands. "We've had so many clients coming in all day, so we're very busy networking."

Networking and being seen appear to be the name of the game at the fair. "It's all about where your stand is located, and about how you position it," says a representative of the brand Mavi Jeans. "For jeans brands the Denim hall is the place to be located in. All the big brands are here. If you want to present yourself as a leading denim brand, you have to be here. It's almost like a political game, everyone knows one everyone else." Bread&Butter's jeans offering does not limit itself to this one hall though. More upmarket labels like Rock & Republic and Joe's can be found in Superior .

Besides the numerous brands and regular fashion shows, the trade fair also offered visitor's a look at its history, harking back five years to its first show in Col ogne in Germany . The event's explosive growth was made even more impressive thanks to the overview provided by a small-scale exhibition. It is fair to assume that Bread&Butter Barcelona's success will continue in the foreseeable future. "This is our first time in Barcelona , but certainly not our last," said a representative of the German brand Logoshirt. "We participated in Berlin before this, but this wonderful weather makes Barcelona a lot more attractive." Thanks to a favourable climate and the efficiency of the German organisers of the fair, this event appears to be facing a sunny future.