Setting off into new spaces to find these designer monsters: This is what Who’s Next offers us with the immediate start from the earth plane in ‘Freaks from Designers’. From January 20th to 22nd, 2024, the world’s largest concept store will celebrate the beauty of fashion and highlight the diversity and unity that it has inspired for 30 years. This diverse event brings together the entire international fashion ecosystem and offers a unique experience in the electric, even extraterrestrial atmosphere created by WSN at the Porte de Versailles in Paris.
Fashion in all its dimensions
For three decades, Who’s Next has been the pulse of the international fashion ecosystem. At the end of January, Paris will become the center where voices, expertise and creations from over 1,800 brands, suppliers and partners of the fairs Who’s Next, IMPACT, Neonyt Paris, Bijorhca and Traffic – Le Salon International de la Lingerie, celebrating its 60th anniversary – flow together. This new edition in Halls 4, 5 and 6 reinvents itself to support brands in the digital world, offering innovative tools and spaces for an immersive and exuberant experience! “In a complicated and uncertain environment, our events are in high demand as we return to the basics of wholesaling. Who’s Next is the can’t-miss global gathering for doing business and networking. It is also an opportunity to face together the current challenges of the fashion and lifestyle industry, gather information and think together about solutions for the entire ecosystem that gathers at Who’s Next,” explains Frédéric Maus, General Director of WSN .
Freaks Academy: A creative encounter
Under the motto ‘Freaks from Designers’, Who’s Next presents the winter trends 24/25. The event works with the fashion schools LISAA and ESMOD and invites students to develop their full creative potential. The ‘Freaks Academy’ initiative has resulted in 30 silhouettes inspired by the show, displayed at various locations, combining innovation and learning. “In previous editions we were able to create an overall context in Hall 1,” explains Sylvie Pourrat, offering director at WSN. ‘In Halls 4, 5 and 6 we have focused on different areas of the trade fair to make the customer experience as inspiring and surprising as possible. This means we offer extremely rich and diverse content, and the entire offering is integrated in a coherent and progressive way.” “The energy is spread across several halls, so there will be more trend analysis, conferences and exchange opportunities. The goal is for our visitors to go home with a maximum of information, answers to their concerns and inspiration,” explains Frédéric Maus.
On the pulse of trends
This edition marks a new era for denim, with iconic brands and a significant share (30%) of new brands, demonstrating the vitality of the industry. These are distributed between ready-to-wear clothing (45%) and accessories (55%). ‘There is a renewal rate of 25% to 35% for each issue. Buyers will find loyal brands that have the trade fair firmly anchored in their calendar, but can also discover new brands and broaden their horizons,’ says the General Director. “Who’s Next offers such a diverse offering that it meets all current trends,” comments Claire Dupuy, the group’s communications director. “Everything you could want can be found here, among all these established brands or the return of certain labels that occasionally use wholesale to strengthen their distribution, and some very interesting new brands.” Of the Who’s Next exhibitors, 44% are from France and 56% are international, with Italy, Spain, India, Turkey and Greece topping the list. In the ready-to-wear area, young designer brands such as Hemsley, Death is Easy and Tesei will be represented. Denim brands such as Oraije, 1083, Kuyichi, Kings of Indigo and Japan Rags are also there again.
Barbour, Crush, Sissel Edelbo and Lauren Vidal find their place in the Fame section, while La Fée Maraboutée, Derhy and Lola Casademunt are represented in the Private section. The new products include the brands Kiki Van Bergen and Le Petit Pulle in the semi-luxury segment, i.e. responsible brands that use natural materials or produce in France or Europe. ‘We have the challenge of revitalizing the Quiet Luxury area. We see classic brands like Montagu or Weil that need a stage. Quiet Luxury is more than a trend, it is the restructuring of the market on a new scale. We are working on creating an offer that corresponds to the values of the market,’ reveals Sylvie Pourrat. Men’s fashion is even more extensive than usual with Akahai, New Orchard, Fullife, Lee Cooper and the Madrid label El Ganso. As usual, there are also innovative start-ups from the crowdfunding platform Ulule to discover. Finally, Traffic, whose exhibitors will be visible throughout the event, will offer solutions to the ecosystem with its products and services.
The ecological transition in focus of IMPACT and Neonyt Paris
IMPACT presents around 50 brands that are committed to responsible production. As a catalyst, this exhibition will influence the rest of Who’s Next. Many brands with an IMPACT profile prefer to establish themselves in their style universe on Who’s Next. They will be easily recognizable and marked IMPACT on their stands.
This edition will feature a forum entirely designed with ecologically responsible materials and showcasing 150 sustainable and desirable creations from Who’s Next. Expert lectures, including Fairly Made’s masterclass on ‘Traceability: laying the foundations for a sustainable CSR strategy’, as well as workshops on ecological change with French and international brands will take place.
The Fashion Green Hub association will be represented during the trade fair with its designer collective, its material forum, embroidery and dyeing workshops as well as informative podcast recordings.
Bijorhca: On the way to the precious
“Bijorhca integrates fashion with Who’s Next. We want Bijorhca to benefit from the momentum and multidisciplinarity of Who’s Next buyers,” says Sylvie Pourrat. Brands such as Satellite, Laval, Philippe Ferrandis and Guiot de Bourg are among the 150 international brands and suppliers, 22% of which are new to the market and are divided according to finished goods and raw materials typology.
“In January we are setting up an area dedicated to the precious metals professions: a selection of French schools, demonstration workshops by Stéphane Renard, a three-day conference program, a bookstore run by the Association Française de Gemmologie, as well as an exhibition of new minerals by Maison Astier and a classified wall of Savoir pour Faire,” she explains. Thanks to the synergies developed throughout the fair, Bijorhca benefits from a fashion clientele that goes beyond traditional buyers. In fact, the jewelry event confirms that it has acquired 25% of its new customers from the fashion sector.
The SHOwP: The e-commerce platform for all categories
Launched last September, The SHOwP platform continues to facilitate interaction between brands and shoppers, providing access to over 5,000 retailers and concept stores between Who’s Next events, as well as more than 30,000 products across fashion, lingerie, sports, Optics and food. The marketplace will offer tastings of delicatessen products and entertainment programs in Hall 4. Also in Hall 4, La Villa Beauté will offer a collagen bar with the Holidermie brand and fortune telling card drawing. There are as many experiences as there are highlights, with a program to meet and celebrate in Hall 6. An opening party on Saturday will be hosted by the Twerkistan collective and La Sunday on Sunday evening.
The Salon International de la Lingerie is celebrating its 60th anniversary
On the same date, the Salon International de la Lingerie and Interfilière Paris will welcome almost 420 brands and exhibitors in Hall 3. To mark the anniversary, the event will feature a selection of creative brands on Exposed, fashion shows and a new Savoir-Faire area that promises glamorous and festive experiences.
Invitation code FASHIONUNITEDJANV24 and the link to it Page.