REPORT ON COUNCIL’S PARTICIPATION IN PRET A PORTER FASHION EXHIBITION HELD IN PARIS, FRANCE FROM 22nd to 25th JAN, 2011
Wool & Woollens Export Promotion Council, an apex organization under the Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India, engaged in export promotion of Woollen Products from the Country participated in Pret-A-Porter Fashion Exhibition held in Paris, France from 22ND to 25th Jan, 2010. The objective of this participation was to strengthen India’s presence in the field of Woollen Exports in European Fashion hub of Paris and thereby provide the member participants the opportunity to interact with European buyers in general and Paris based importers in particular. Shri Sanjay Chawla, Sr. Assistant, represented the Council in the Fair.
Pret –A-Porter
The Exhibition is held twice a year in Jan/Feb and Sept in the fashion capital of Paris at Parc de Expositions, Porte de Versailles, Paris. Pret A Porter is a world renowned exhibition held twice a year during the month of Jan/Feb and Sept/Oct in the fashion hub of Paris. It is more familiarly known as Pret. This exhibition provides an ideal opportunity for the businessmen interested to do business with European Union countries and the neighboring UK and does attracts a huge number of worldwide importers of various items. Exhibitors from around 55 countries participate in Pret A Porter Exhibition and the visitors from countries like France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Poland, England, USA, Switzerland etc visit the exhibition.
COUNCIL’S PARTICIPATION
Wool & Woollens Export Promotion Council (WWEPC) is a regular participant in this fair. The Council had participated in the 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 editions of this exhibition also and this year also the Council participated in this fair because of the good turnout of buyers on all previous occasion. The member participants of the Council had taken good quantity of samples of, Shawls, Stoles, Knitwears etc alongwith them for display in the exhibition. The Councils stalls were very well decorated with the samples of member exporters. The products at display included a wide variety of traditional and modern Indian Wool & Wool Blended Shawls, Stoles, Scarves and Mufflers. Normally Pret –A-Porter Fair does attract a huge number of quality buyers and as during the past editions of this exhibition, this year too, a huge number of number of importers visited the stall. The first two days of the Fair were holidays viz Saturday and Sunday and as a result, a large number of visitors visited the Councils stalls on the first two days. A good number of consumers, general visitors and buyers visited the Councils stalls. The visitors to Council’s Stalls were of the point of view that that the Indian products are very good in quality and design and liked the products very much. The visitors also appreciated the fact that the quality of Indian Products is quite superior than their counterparts and were willing to negotiate with Indian exporters to finalize business deals. The members had fruitful discussions with the buyers and carried out good business negotiations with French and other European Buyers. Buyers not only from France but also from surrounding European Countries like Italy, Switzerland etc also visited the Councils Stalls and good business materialized during the fair. Some trade enquires were also received which are likely to materialize in to firm orders.
The US has almost come out of one of the worst recessions and European Union though improving is still in some trouble. Countries like Span and Portugal are still in trouble whereas Germany and France are showing signs of recovery, which is resulting in improvement of consumer confidence and reduction in unemployment, the demand in these countries is slowly on the rise and it can be presumed that Europe. Thus with the improvement of economic conditions, the demand of Indian Products as well as Indian Woollen Products is likely to rise in the coming period.
Based on Council’s participation in this Fair, WWEPC suggests following useful information for those interested to do business with French/European Buyers:-
1 French is the main language for communication in France and for the purpose of communicating with French Buyers, services of the Interpreter are must. Publicity Material like pamphlets, Visiting Cards etc. published in French are must and members should carry these alongwith them whenever visiting France for business purposes
2 Member exporters can seek the help of Indian Embassy in Paris for getting the database of French buyers/businessmen.
3 Most of the Stall in the Exhibition were offering free Snacks/Tea/Refreshments etc to the visitors. The Delegation should also spare some funds for this purpose.
4 Since the weather in Paris is very cool (temperature remains in the range of -1 to 4 Degrees Celsius in winter), due care should be taken by the visitors to Paris to carry Woollen Garments with them.
5 One should take care of his belongings while traveling through Public Transport in Paris as Pick Pockets are there in abundance and one can face a lot of difficulty if one happens to fall in their trap.
6 Paris possesses world’s best Metro system and traveling by metro trains is advisable as its both safe and cheap.
About Paris (France)
An important settlement for more than two millennia, Paris is today one of the world's leading business and cultural centres, and its influence in politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion, science and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the world's major global cities.
Area: 550, 000 sq. km
Neighbouring countries: Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Monaco, Andorra and Great Britain across the English Channel (La Manche).
Climate: Oceanic in the west Mediterranean in the south Continental in central and eastern France
Capital: Paris
Currency: The Euro and the symbol is €. The official abbreviation of Euro is ‘EUR’. Euro currencies were launched in 11 member countries of European Union on 1st of January 2002. Till 31st December 2001, the currency was French Franc.
Weight & Measure System: Metric system (metre, gram, litre).
Population On 1 January 2002, Metropolitan and Overseas France had 61.1 million inhabitants, including 4 million foreign residents of whom 1.5 million were European Union nationals. France accounts for 16% of the European Union’s population.
National Day: 14th of July. The revolutionaries took over the Bastille fort on that in Paris during the French revolution and became the national feast day in 1880.
Principal religions: Catholics (81.4 % of population), Muslims (6.89 %), Protestants (1.64 %), Jews (1.29 %), Buddhists (0.68 %), Orthodox (0.34 %).
EMBASSY OF INDIA IN FRANCE
15, rue Alfred Dehodencq
75016 - Paris FRANCE
Tel. : 00 33 1 40 50 70 70
Fax : 00 33 1 40 50 09 96
Métro (Subway) : La Muette (Line no. 9)
CONSULAR SECTION
20, rue Albéric Magnard
75016 - Paris FRANCE
Tel.: 00 33 1 40 50 71 71
Fax : 00 33 1 42 24 71 41
Métro (Subway) : La Muette (Line no. 9)
A list some leading Importers in Paris is given below:-
1 Estelle Ramouse,
83-85 Rue St Charles,
Paris
2 Damian Yurkievich
Vice Director
5 Rue De Caumartin 75009 Paris
France
Tel: 0039 1 44947011
Fax:0033-1-44947002
Mobile: 0663151394
Interested in Stoles
3 Christiance Laboutin
106 rue de rivoli
Chatlet, Paris
2 Annie Spa
Beauty People
423 Boulevard de Beviliers
Paris
annies@hotmail.com
3 Francois Maumus
Zen Ethic, Parc Haut Brion
Batiment C-152 Avenue Jean
Jaures-3600 Pessac France
Tel: 0546 96 22 47
Fax: 055697110
Interested in Socks and Gloves
4 Catherine Michallet
Presidente
1, Avenue Charies Touzet, BP 27,
64110 Jurancon
Tel: 05 59060203 Fax: 05 59061943
eatherinemichaller@hotmail.com
5 GAYA,
141 Porto Venie
Paris, France
Interested in Woollen Readymade Garments
6 Christy Fernandes
21 Rue du marie
Paris
Christy@wanadoo.fr
7 S H Kim
Director
Frog World Co Ltd,
40-11 Sungsan Dong,
Mapo Ku, Seoul, Korea
Tel: 0082-2-335-0345
Fax: 0082-2-335-0349
8 Sam Wan Sum Fai
Senior Exhibition Sales Executive
CMP Asia Ltd
17/F China Resources Building
26 Harbour Road,
Wanchai - Hong Kong
Tel: 00852-2827 6211/2516 1661
Fax: 00852-2802 9934/2511 6211
Interested in Woollen Caps
9 Claire Di Divonne
Bijoux
32 Rue Du Mont Thabor-75001
Paris France
Tel: 0039 1 56 582739
Fax:0039 1 42 962976
Email: Claire@clairededivonne.fr
10 Roger Evlie
Avenue du Professur,
Andre Limere,
Paris
rogerev@wandoo.fr
Intereted in Socks(woolen)
11 Catherine Michallet
Presidente
1, Avenue Charies Touzet, BP 27,
64110 Jurancon
Tel: 05 59060203 Fax: 05 59061943
eatherinemichaller@hotmail.com
12 MIC MAK SNC
Vier Capadimonte-16
80071 Anacapri (NA)
Italia
Interested in Jamavar
13 Mr. Ed Van De Zogt
Managing Director,
M/S At the Cross Road,
Flat 4, 23 Queens Gardens
London W23BD
Tel: 0044 207 402 1723
14 Romanova Natalia
117218 Moscow,
Dmitry Ulianova St 44,
007 493126 84 69
Casual Buyer
15 WEEKEND
E Pharis Tsavloysouloi
7 B Fakilidoustr
10E.73 Atthens, Greece
Tel: Paris Office. 0033-210-3625211
Interested in Woollen Shawls
16 MIC MAK SNC
Vier Capadimonte-16
80071 Anacapri (NA)
Italia
Interested in Jamavar
17 Mr. Thomai Zogka
Procurement Department,
14, Ermou Str,
GR-54624 Thessaloniki, Greece
Tel; 0030 2310 279876
18 Mr. Christophe Galbert
Director Artisitiques
10, Rue Royale, 75008 PARIS
christophegalbert@creation-image.com
Tel: 0033- 1- 53678000
19 Ms. Lucia Bagos,
Jose Manuel Gutierrez,
M/S Pandora Cies, SL
Puerto De Canido, 72,
36390 VIGO SPAIn
Tel: 0034986203789
20 Mr. Patrik Slattery,
Carisma Clothing
26 D Fashion City,
Ballymount Road, Dublin 24, Ireland
Tel: 00 353 87, 25 48 032
21 Mr. Evik Asatoorian
Rudsak Collections
9160, Blvd St Laurent
Suite 400 Montreal,
QCH2N IMG
001-389 9661 ext 13f
22 Ms. Jimin Han,
Merchandiser,
Sudo Corporation,
Kumgang Building 10-1,
Namyong-dong, Seul, Korea
Tel: 02 792 0267
23 Ms. Lana Startsava
Responsible Commerciale
Sales manager
Eurovet
37/39, Rue de Newilly BP121
92582 CLICHY, Cedex-France
Tel: 0033-1-475563232
Fax; 0033-1-47563299
24 Ms. Kathleen Szymanski
M/S Twist
773.458.3870
5915 North Magnolia #3
Chicago, IL60660
Acknowledgements
The member participants are extremely thankful to Shri Ashok Jaidka, Chairman of Wool & Woollens Export Promotion Council for his guidance and support in organizing the participation in the above exhibition. The members are also thankful to Shri R K Gupta, Officiating Executive Director, WWEPC for coordinating with the all concerned and arranging participation in this fair.