Gift Focus - Jan/Feb 2019 (Issue 111)

LaunchPad London opens for entries LaunchPad London, the competition to find and support individuals in their efforts to break into the stationery industry, will be back for its fourth edition at Stationery Show London in 2019. The initiative has highlighted 30 new hopefuls, with notable successful stories including Back Pocket Notebook, Peace & Blessings, Paper Mirchi, Type and Story and Batch.Works. Each year, the competition aims to find up to 12 individuals or companies with new ideas for stationery products and services. Entrants are required to put their ideas and a product sample forward and could win a free stand at the 2019 Stationery Show London. The closing date for entries is 28th February, 2019. Taking place on 30 th April and 1 st May, Stationery Show London attracts the UKs biggest retailers, buyers and brands across the sector, and competition winners are able to showcase products and ideas to visitors and fellow exhibitors. This years judges include Penny Green, director of retail and wholesale Europe for kikki-K, Jamie Mitchell, co-founder and director at Ohh Deer and Kaushal Shah, founder of Paper Plus Europe. FLOORPLAN RE-EDIT GIVES PURE LONDON NEW LEASE OF LIFE Visitors to fashion trade show Pure London will be treated to a re- edited layout and a surge of new British and international brands signed up to showcase AW19/20 collections. New brands exhibiting at February’s show include Parka London, Lauren Vidal, MOS MOSH, Jolie Garance, Aggel Knitwear and Jovani. The strongest growth from overseas brands comes from France, Turkey and Greece. Julie Driscoll, managing director of Pure London, said: “The show must go on. We are at a crossroads in terms of Brexit uncertainty and the way the fashion industry works, but Pure London is demonstrating that not only can we make a stand for better practices in fashion, but we can also provide a space for the most inspirational, creative and exciting brands and designers to showcase their wares. The February show will offer visitors a host of new brands, and we are really looking forward to revealing our floorplan re-edit which will freshen the show, offer new discoveries, and give the space new life.” Pure London’s strongest growth area is the newly created Gen Z section, encapsulating the energy and mood of young fashion, which is set to burst with trend-led, street style and unisex collections. New brands include Spill The Tea, Odd Color Studio, Peace & Chaos, Mr Gugu and Sera Ulger. Pure London is one of the UK’s leading trade fashion buying events, representing womenswear, menswear, footwear, accessories and young fashion. The show is designed to offer UK and international buyers the opportunity to discover collections launching for the season ahead, attend catwalk shows and hear from peers and industry experts. More information can be found at purelondon.com giftfocus 11 news & events