In preparation for upcoming sourcing at Interfilière Paris, time for some reflection on lace… what’s happening now, what do we like and not like, what’s selling and what do we miss? 

For the most part laces in current collections are rather generic. Simple, easy-to-wear and easy-on-the-eye, closer to a mesh than an archive Chantilly. Treated more like plain fabrics where architectural construction and graphical effects on the body play the major role. In some cases this is a big success, but all too often cheaper, sloppy looking materials are used and we crave a more crisp refined finish. Especially in the fast growing bralette and non-padded market, the new generation of fine gauges with excellent modulus is a must for hanger appeal. 

The exhibition in the New York Metropolitan Museum of the work of Rei Kawakubo, the spirit of Comme des Garçons, is not for the weak of heart. Her questioning how fashion and the way we dress fits in society leads to bizarre shapes with a meaning beyond wearability. Our fashion antenna in New York, Tina Wilson believes that this exhibition hit the right moment when the whole fashion world is reshuffling and soul seeking.

We are all the same: consumers, designers, brand managers and merchandisers alike. We all have a task to inspire and guide teams to the next performances. But we also need to be fed or confirmed in our ideas. We look around, read, surf the internet and we shop the world. For better or worse, it’s part of the job. And this season our hungry eyes and big hopes where satisfied in Paris.

The recent Interfilière Hong Kong told the story of intimates in an idiosyncratic world, tainted by political unrest, cultural influences and changing lifestyles. The focus was on CHANGE; from a totally new fair format in a previous factory building, to the way people exchanged ideas and information. On three floors exhibitors were casually scattered around our Creativ’Lab and despite an initial need for adaptation, after two days, everybody was over the moon with the results. Most significant is the parallel of this casual fair format with the changes in the global lingerie market and with Hong Kong fighting for it’s historical independence.