ONE VERY FINE DAY INDEED

One Fine Day Bridal Markets launched in 2015 recognising a need to bring together fashion forward designers in a relaxing and instagrammable environment. The formula has proved to be a winner, underpinning the ‘less is so much more’ message. We talked to Nadean Richards, CEO of the event

Nadean Richards of the ground-breaking show platform that runs shows in both in New York and London, explains the origin of the concept:

“We had experienced the stress of running about town during New York Bridal Fashion Week, being late for appointments, stuck in traffic, visiting designers’ hotel rooms where they clearly slept as well and it was really stressful!

“We wanted to create an event that reduced the overwhelm for buyers, where they could spend their time doing business, choosing from the most on-trend designers, making the experience easy and enjoyable. With One Fine Day, we have created a space for designers and buyers to shine together with the ultimate goal of growing businesses.”

In the event’s first foray into the exhibition circuit, there were 16 topnotch names. This year, in October in New York, there were 32, retaining that special intimacy that has become part of the show’s distinct personality. And that is what draws the audience in – 1,200 buyers from across the world from Australia, South Africa, China, Japan, South Korea, Ireland, UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Turkey, Spain, America and more.

“This event is like no other,” says Nadean. “We aim to make the experience for the buyers best in class. We want them to be comfortable, feel welcome, enjoy drinks and canapes whilst conducting their business meetings in a creative environment. We want businesses to make connections and be presented with real opportunities made possible

in our collaborative space.”

We asked Nadean if One Fine Day has seen changes in retailers’ shopping habits recently. “We’ve been through a transitional buying space as everything went online,” she explained. “We talked to many buyers at the event, who all agree that the competition is fierce and that it is important for them to be here to claim their spot in their region as the sought-after boutique for brides to get their dresses. They recognise the need to keep the connection with their designers and to touch and feel the dresses again to get a real sense of quality and special features.” With regard to brides’ budgets current, she said “With the uncertainty in the world right now it’s unclear as to whether the average sale price is reducing. But one thing we do know is that the dress is up there with the top three purchases of a wedding.”

One Fine Day, while setting the scene for an enjoyable buying experience, sees itself as competing with London Bridal Fashion Week, Barcelona and Milan, but with its mission of quality rather than quantity when it comes to exhibitors. The intimate, exclusive atmosphere of the show is due, the organisers believe, to the curated collection of designers that they choose to work with – those who share the same business values – and the boutique owner who wants the best for their customers. ”We set the scene for doing business during New York Fashion Week,” they say.

Visit onefinedaybridalmarket.com to find out more about the event, to see the collections of the designers who exhibited in October, and for details of the next London event.