COMMENTARY-Strong order flow seen at Milan show HOMI Fashion&Jewels
By David Brough
MILAN, February 18, 2020 – Visitor turnout was high as the February 2020 edition of HOMI Fashion&Jewels wrapped up, auguring for a strong flow of orders at one of Europe’s leading fashion jewellery, fashion and accessories trade shows.
The timing of the event (February 15-18, 2020), coinciding with other fashion sector trade fairs in Milan, helped to drive footfall into the show, which is organised by Fiera di Milano.
The vibrant business at HOMI Fashion&Jewels underscored a growing trend for fashion retailers to sell jewellery and accessories in-store, as seen, for example, at H&M and Topshop.
“We want new international talents to come and exhibit at the show. We are doing our best to attract a talented array of fashion-driven exhibitors who will appeal to buyers,” said Exhibition Director Emanuele Guido.
“The positioning of our show is to put on stage the type of product that helps retailers to flourish in the market.”
Visitor numbers were buoyant, and there was no sense at the Milan show that concerns over coronavirus had kept visitors away. The Italians are vigilant over coronavirus risks, conducting body temperature checks of those arriving at airports from abroad.
HOMI Fashion&Jewels prides itself on identifying key trends in the fashion and fashion jewellery markets to keep visitors fully aware of what will sell in the seasons ahead.
The show was democratically laid out, with an array of fashion items and accessories interspersed among the state-of-the-art jewellery creations.
A seminar at HOMI Fashion&Jewels revealed “New Romantic” (#soft #bloom #floralcolors) and “Underground” (#urban #cosmopolitan #neoncolors #genderless) as macro trends for 2020-22.
An illustrated “Trends” exhibition section featured at the show.
The Ocean
Many jewellery items seen at HOMI Fashion & Jewels were linked to the ocean. There was a strong showing of red Mediterranean coral and pearl jewellery with the summer holiday shopping season in mind.
Over-size pieces were popular, as exemplified by the chunky, colourful necklaces offered by Intini Jewels.
Amber and resin jewellery from Eastern Europe was prominent.
Unusual jewellery materials featured too, such as the leather necklaces designed by Athens-based Marina Panagiotoulia, as well as pieces made from glass, wood and recycled plastic.
In the popular New Crafts section, innovation reigned, notably an extraordinary handcrafted Murano glass necklace by Italian designer Barbara Proverbio.
Trends across this market segment are very difficult to identify, because what is “hot” in London is different from in Naples or Marseille, Guido said.
But the wide choice of offerings from the exhibitors, was seen as catering to all tastes.
