After Paris everyone ask us thousands of questions. We would
love to answer them all but it’s just too much. So we decided to do this blog
post. Brand’s holder Scarlett is also working as a guest lecturer for lingerie
and because most students are also very interested in the fairs this might also
be interesting for small brands or
people who want to launch one.
Part I – Arrival and setting up
Hooray, Help and Yeehaw: Trade fair.
It is indeed fabulous that all our samples are small, fragile
and featherlight. They all fit into a single vintage Vuitton suitcase. Besides
the cellphone I couldn’t live without (social media addiction: facebook &
pinterest) this suitcase is the the best guarded piece of luggag. And as long
as I don’t have to I won’t give it into somebody elses hands. Clothing
etc. can be bought or borrowed... A new collection not.
Unfortunately we have to bring much more than our samples. And
that stuff turns out to be unhandy and heavy. We always rent our hangers and
one dummy. We bring a second one. And advertisement diyplays, postcards,
lookbooks, pricelists, diverse things from our bureau, a steamer... I’ve been
schlepping the things via airplane for three fairs... and it is not really fun.
Last time I sent a big parcel to my friended Britta Uschkamp who is a lingerie designer as well and does
lovely playful lingerie in Paris. It was worth every cent and I am really happy
the agreed to receive our parcel. So... once again: Thank you Britta!
The lingrie fair in Paris offers a good booth system for young
designers. You get something like a big closet.
However, every time you arrive at the expo it makes you go „Eeeeew!“, because
it’s so dirty and dusty. Of course I totally surpress the memory each time and
end up cleaning it with handkerchiefs and all fabric-made things that may get
dirty... I already requested to my lovly assisant to remind me to buy polish.
The night before „Le Salon international de la Lingerie ouvre
les portes" (to quote every morning’s announcement) our booth looks like
this when we receive it. Fancy, huh?
Of course all samples are messed up after the transport, so you
have to iron them with lots of love. – And because ironing undies can be
compared to punishement, we decided for our third fair to invest into a
steamer. (Better late then never! And it was the best decision ever!) It looks
a little bit like a laser canon from Star Trek. Only that it releases hot
steam.
Oh and yet another thing we have learned: The screws on the
spots tend to be working not so good.
In the eveing it’s usuall very nice at the Seine. During daytime
as well. But we keep spending our time on the Expo. ;)
In Part II we will show you a little bit from the expo itself.
Love,
your liw-team
PS: Usually our lovely assistant Rina does the blog. But she
wasn’t around last time in Paris, and
so this excerpt was written by me, Scarlett.
