First time and returning exhibitors found the show an ideal platform to launch new concepts and brand collections to a wide audience of key independent boutique owners, store groups, on-line / high street retailers, and a selection of press/media guests. The overall feel during the three-day exhibition was positive and a general understanding that there is a light at the end of this recessionary tunnel! More than 1,200 buyers attended over the three days with about 300 returning for a second or third day at the show; a good sign that buyers are making the most of their visit.

Organisers feel the new exhibition layout, the return of many high profile exhibiting brands, the introduction of professional specialist fit and fuller figure presentations, and the launch of the Carlin trend prediction seminars offered an extended reason to visit Harrogate this season.

Jo Smith, event director, commented: “It was encouraging to see such a positive outlook from both visitors and exhibitors at Harrogate. The industry was well represented over three packed halls and the educational seminars were well attended throughout. I am looking forward to building on this to re-enforce Harrogate as the one and only national show for this industry in 2010.”

An exquisitely stylised catwalk showcase repeated three times daily in Hall B presented exhibitor collections within a professional runway production. Scenes included The De Montfort University Graduates, The London Fashion Week Preview, The Harrogate Boutique, and international branded collections including Karen Millen, Panache, Lejaby and more.

Leading international trend agents Carlin presented complimentary seminars within the Harrogate Royal Hall (adjacent to the exhibition halls). Offering buyer audiences a key insight into the forthcoming season’s trend influences, style, colour, and market predictions, they were standing-room-only throughout.

On Monday 17th, the newly crowned Miss England 2009 (Rachel Christie, niece to Linford Christie) took centre stage on the catwalk for a press photo call, modelling a stunning yellow swimwear piece by Jantzen. Rachel visited the exhibition to get a sneak preview of forthcoming swimwear collections and to choose pieces for her trip to Miss World in South Africa in December.

The Sun & Swim London Show collaborated with the Harrogate Exhibition to host a special preview for swim, beach and resort brands during a Monday night BBQ soirée, held at Harrogate’s beautiful Sun Pavilion. The evening included an art deco style fashion show with brands such as Valery Blu, After Eden, Mendels, Mya Blue, Naturana, Agua Bendita, Cyell and Chaslyn.

Right now the US is having its largest lingerie show of the year in NYC (it’s the CURVExpo : Designer Lingerie & Swim Show, and soon we’ll have reports on it on TLP as Krista is attending for us!) – and only two weeks from now, it’s time for the United Kingdom with the ever so popular Harrogate Lingerie & Swimwear Exhibition.

As a little preview, here are some of the special things going on at Harrogate this season:

The Buyers’ Seminar

Not just for new buyers, but everyone looking to improve their business skills inthe lingerie and swimwear sector.

Carlin International

Exclusive to Harrogate; presentations from Carlin International, the leading trend forecasting agency, will reveal which fashions and styles are going to be most popular over the next 24 months. A must for retailers and press guests!

Fuller Figure Forum

Karen Forbes will be giving up the secrets of this often challenging aspect of the industry.

London Fashion Week Preview

High fashion brands including Janet Reger and Ell & Cee will be previewing their LFW exhibition appearances on the catwalk in Harrogate.

Expert Bra fitting

Expert fitter Lindsey Brown focuses on the absolute essentials in a supercondensed presentation – a must for new buyers and press!

Over 200 collections are already showing including those from: EL Marketing, Chantelle, Janet Reger, Ell & Cee, Eternal Spirits, Cake Lingerie, Pour Moi, Purple Ronnie, By Caprice, Aguaclara, Moontide, Feraud, Verde Veronica and many more!

The show is 100% free to visit, but you should really register at lingerie-show.com in advance!

Top Drawer is also where Playful Promises brand new Beauty range was unveiled to the masses so make sure you keep a look out! We have noticed a trend in Lingerie brands adding beauty and cosmetic ranges to their line. I think this is a natural progression for Playful Promises as we are all about being flirty and dressing up and are aiming to create an ultimate girlie boudoir collection.

Lisa Williams – Playful Promises
Lisa is the PR and general assistant at Playful Promises…. this means she gets to do a bit of everything in the life cycle of a collection from working on new ideas to talking to customers. She is the ideal person to know all the gossip at Playful Promises. The PP homepage is located at playfulpromises.com.

Read all posts by Lisa Williams right here!

Recently in February 2008, Royce launched several new ranges of bras. At the Harrogate Lingerie & Swimwear Exhibition, trade customers were introduced to the new line of Caress Indulgence mastectomy bras as well as the new “AAA” sized bra and a padded Missy two pack. Royce’s best selling bra Sophie with X-STATIC silver fibre has now been made into a pocketed version as well.

X-STATIC silver fibre is said to inhibit bacteria, reduce odour, regulate body temperature and minimize static. As an added bonus, the fibre contains no chemicals and is environmentally friendly.

While all of Royce’s designs are made for quality and comfort, their Candy nursing bra and panty set is really quite sweet, not at all similar to the old fashioned nursing bras. Meticulous attention to detail and intelligent features such as the retainer strap to keep the shoulder strap in place while feeding demonstrate why Royce has become the expert in specialist lingerie.

The Savannah with discreet pockets for breast form has the prettiest embroidered detailing on the straps and is lightly padded to keep the bra looking smooth. ComfiBra is perfect for women who have just had surgery. It fastens in the front and is soft enough to wear immediately after breast surgery.

Every line in the Royce collection of lingerie is feminine, sexy and inviting to wear. The company has obviously done their homework when creating and designing this collection to help women feel more confident, more secure and comfortable throughout the day and night.

Retailers can make orders for the collections immediately, but customers will have to wait just a little bit longer to get their hands on them (so ask your favorite lingerie boutique to make an order so you can get yours first!). Pamela Joseph has been meeting with Figleaves, so hopefully everyone around the world will soon be able to place orders. There will be a stand at UK’s Harrogate Lingerie Exhibition (February 24-26), so if you’ll be there you can stop by and see the designs in person!

Any shop owners or lingerie distributors should be sure to stop by the tradefair and see the lovely HOTmilk ladies for more information about the brand. Anyone who is interested in meeting with brand representatives can arrange a meeting by emailing ange@hotmilklingerie.co.uk, visiting the website www.hotmilklingerie.co.uk, or by calling +64 7 571 6262. They would love to meet with everyone interested in stocking the brand. Any UK shops that cannot make it to the tradefair, don’t worry! After the launch, HOTmilk will follow up with a 2-week sales trip in the UK to see any shops that were unable to come out to the tradefair.

For our US readers, stay tuned as next year HOTmilk will be attending the Lingerie Americas. In the meantime, anyone in the US (or any country, for that matter) should still contact HOTmilk to arrange shipment.

Stay tuned to The Lingerie Post! In the very near future we will have a little contest to treat some very lucky ladies (and the men in their lives, of course!) to a set of their very own.