Is Berlin’s last remaining fashion trade fair, Seek, also about to end? After the recent resignation of the leading minds behind the trade fair, owner Premium Exhibitions is vague about the future of Seek.
“The desire for a uniform platform remains great – at the same time, commitment within the industry is currently extremely cautious. We are taking on this challenge and will examine what a future-oriented format could look like that best suits the current and future market environment,” says the Premium Group’s statement to FashionUnited.
Seek team leaves
The streetwear and sustainability-oriented trade fair has been in transition for some time. Since Monday, the current edition of Seek has been taking place in the Kreuzberg district of Berlin with a new showroom concept. However, during the first two days, the long-time Seek creators Maren Wiebus, Marie-Luise Ahlers, Damien Winpenny and Ellie Moreno announced their departure. It is unclear what led to the separation and what will happen next without the management team.
“Together with the Clarion Group, I respect and support the Seek team’s desire to dedicate themselves to new challenges,” said Jörg Arntz, Managing Director at Premium Exhibitions GmbH. “We would like to sincerely thank the entire team for their commitment and wish them much success for the future.”
Premium Exhibitions remains
In November 2023, the organizer discontinued the flagship of the same name because large trade fair formats like Premium were no longer up to date. At that time, Premium saw the future in “boutique trade fairs and specialized events”. But now the existence of the Seek concept, which specializes in streetwear, also seems uncertain.
Even if the future concept of their only remaining event is unclear, Premium Exhibitions GmbH wants to remain as a trade fair organizer. “Our belief in the potential of a strong, collaborative German platform remains unbroken. Accordingly, Premium Exhibitions GmbH will continue to exist,” says Berlin.