First Person

With the key exhibitions over for the first half of the year, Laura Daly looks at the pros and cons of the UK’s offerings

After several years of writing for this fine publication, I guess by now you probably all know that I’m particularly fond of a bit of bridal shopping; the buzz of the halls, the various designers, the styles and, of course, the glitz and the glamour - I adore it all! I readily admit to being what some might call a rather (ahem) “seasoned buyer”, and maybe even a bit like an addict who needs ever more of the same just to get the fix.

I also know it takes a lot to amaze me these days and what I’m going to say may not be an opinion that is widely shared… but I’m going there anyway!

I can’t help feeling that our industry is gradually losing the very essence that made it so special. When I first opened Bellissima, the great and the good of the UK’s bridal industry met up twice a year in Harrogate to purchase our dresses and accessories. September was reserved for the main season collections, while March was for topping up – rarely would we purchase a whole new season’s worth of dresses (as many designers only produced one collection per year), and accessories were the main focus.

Harrogate positives

Harrogate is such a unique place in offering not only a world-class exhibition space, but also all manner of accommodation for different budgets and lots of easy options for socialising in the evenings. I’m pretty sure that most retailers were more than happy to make the pilgrimage twice a year – there was always a bit of excitement in the atmosphere. Even today, the September show still has that special something about it.

It’s not my place to delve into the reasons why, over the years, the March show moved to London. There may have been any number of factors taken into account by those who made the decision. No doubt some more valid than others in the eyes of the humble retailers on whom it was imposed.

London negatives

Fast forward to March 2023, and I personally found the latest London Excel show to be a poor representation of our industry. While Excel may be suitable for many industries’ annual exhibitions and shows, it simply doesn’t fit with the bridal world’s unique characteristics, which are led by emotions, artistry and personal relationships.

I know that many London venues have been tried out in the past but the truth is that, for so many people, London just seems to be a bit, how can I put it… “meh.” It’s incredibly expensive for all concerned and there’s no convenient attractive place where we can all socialise and let our hair down.

This year, the Retail Bridalwear Association couldn’t afford to hold their awards event, as all possible venues had doubled their prices, so there wasn’t even a party to attend! Some labels decided to exhibit outside of the centre, which meant taking trains or cabs or both to get to see everything and which, of course, eats into precious time and money, making purchasing so much harder! Those in the halls looked like they were simply making the best of a bad job. The VIP lounge is always so oversubscribed that you feel like you’ve hit the jackpot if you manage to get that rare combination of a sandwich and a seat. My word, the luxuries we enjoy!

There was no atmosphere, no buzz, nothing exciting. The décor was lovely, but nothing more than it should be for such a prestigious show. However, for me, it was the lack of designers and suppliers and, ultimately, buyers, that resulted in such a lacklustre event. Maybe it’s time for the organisers to consider another venue or take the show out of London, as it’s quickly becoming the poor relation to the Harrogate event. Any further loss of exhibitors, and it won’t be worth buyers attending at all, even for a day.

And you know what? That’s a real pity, as the UK has a strong network of retailers and suppliers which is so unique and should be cultivated and appreciated, not left to wither through lack of ambition. Other European countries can only dream of communicating and collaborating as we do, but without a cohesive exhibition, what can we do as buyers?

Our special world is vibrant . It never sleeps – it’s supportive, it’s creative, it deserves more, and the truth is that, these days, it’s increasingly finding itself drawn to a tapas bar in Barcelona!