From Paris to Portland, Première Vision launches new Sport event this August

With the continued popularity and growing influence of the global sportswear and sports footwear market, the organisers of the international Première Vision events for professionals in the fashion, textile, creative and related industries - is launching a new event: Première Vision Sport, not in Paris but in Portland, in the state  of Oregon in the US.

PREMIÈRE VISION SPORT will take place August 14th and 15th 2019, to be held simultaneously and in partnership with The Materials Show, a leading sports footwear material and component sourcing show organised by American Events.

Portland is long established as the "Sportswear Silicon Valley".  Rightfully so as it is where major international American sports brands, the likes of Nike, Under Armour, Columbia Sportswear, Adidas North America, Avia and others are headquartered.  Portland is also located less than two hours by plane from San Francisco - headquarters of Patagonia, The North Face; and a little over an hour from the Canadian city of Vancouver - birthplace of such well-known brands as Lululemon, Arcteryx, Canada Goose and others.

The SPORT & TECH section at Première Vision Paris, September 2018.
Photo © Lucia Carpio.

PREMIÈRE VISION SPORT is a strategic development for the Parisian trade fair organisers which  launched the SPORT & TECH sector at its Première Vision Paris show last September offering a selection of high-performance and technical materials to help and support those brands and designers in search of innovations for the development of high-performance fashion products.

Finished garments on display at the SPORT & TECH section at Première Vision Paris, September 2018.Photo © Lucia Carpio.

The new PREMIÈRE VISION SPORT will bring its exclusive fashion expertise - seminars, colour range - and will introduce a specialized offer for performance and active sports clothing:  including fabrics, components and designs presented by a selection of exhibitors from Première Vision’s Parisian and international trade shows.

The MATERIALS SHOW was created more than 25 years ago by American Events Inc.  The biannual fair specializes in footwear for high-performance sports with a selection of dedicated materials - components, fabrics, leathers - offered by more than 300 exhibitors.

Each year, American Events organizes 4 editions of THE MATERIALS SHOW dedicated
to the footwear and sportswear markets, where representatives from international sports brands - makers and producers walk the show floor to discover what’s leading the market in technology and style.  Two editions (August & March) of the NE Materials Show take place in Wilmington,
Massachusetts, on the East Coast, presenting 200 exhibitors and welcoming some 800 visitors, while two editions (August & February) of the NW Materials Show take place in Portland, Oregon,
on the West Coast, which gathers together 300 exhibitors and 1,500 attendees.

According to figures from Euromonitor International, the global sportswear market has seen continued growth between 2011 and 2016 reaching US$ 280 billion in 2016. American brands dominate the worldwide sportswear market, with the United States representing 37% of global sales, or US$ 103 billion in 2016: US$70 billion of which for sportswear (+4.4%) and US$ 32 billion for shoes (+8.8%).

Pascal Monfort, fashion expert and founder of REC Trends Marketing, a specialist in sports, youth and street culture, said we’re seeing a growing alliance today not only between fashion and sport but also between luxury and sport, leading to the term “athluxury” - a blend of ‘athletic’ and ‘luxury’.

Pascal Monfort 
Photo © Lucia Carpio

Presenting a series of conferences on Sport &Tech at the Autumn 2018 edition of Premiere Vision Paris held last September, Pascal Monfort said: “The inclusion of sport in fashion is no longer simply a trend, it’s a necessity for many fashion brands, whether they come from the fast fashion or luxury worlds.”

In his view, 2020 will be the pinnacle of this success, the ultimate incarnation of the love affair between sport and fashion.

Monfort (pictured above at Première Vision Paris last September) said: “What’s happening today is fantastic. Creativity isn’t dead, far from it. Together, fashion and sports can go a long way and we love that!”

He added that the power of collaborations is incredible "We’re seeing the most unexpected and most surprising ones: Marine Green x Oakley, Vêtement x Oakley… Nike x Off-White for the team Nigeria fielded for the 2018 World Cup (3 million jerseys pre-ordered) … Koché x PSG: even football can become fashionable and cool!"

The fact is that fashion designers love sportswear, said Montfort.  The power of streetwear and sportswear designers is overturning norms. The most recent example is undeniably the appointment of Virgile Abloh (Off-White), a multifaceted American designer, as head of the House of Vuitton, an event which created quite a surprise in the fashion world.

Nevertheless, a series of collaborations with the biggest luxury brands and the creation of the “luxury” Nike City Ready line now places Nike on the pages of the leading fashion magazines such as Vogue.

Virgin Galactic Unveils Under Armour As Exclusive Partner To Create Next Generation Spacewear and Astronaut Performance Programme

Richard Branson needs no introduction and the American sportswear brand Under Armour has global clout too.   So if Virgin Galactic makes announcement about its collaboration with Under Armour, we take notice.

These two well-known brands are collaborating as partners to create a next generation of technical spacewear and astronaut performance programmes.

Richard Branson and founder of Under Armour, Kevin Plank. Image: Virgin Galactic.

This collaboration brings together Virgin Galactic’s mission to make commercial space travel a reality, with Under Armour’s expertise in technical apparel and footwear,  ensuring that astronaut customers and staff are fully equipped to maximise personal performance in a new age of space exploration, according to  Virgin Galactic's released statement.

The Baltimore-based brand, famed for performance through technical innovation, is designing and fabricating space suits for Virgin Galactic passengers and pilots, representing a unique commission that demanded personal performance enhancement through a complex blend of safety, utility, comfort and style.

Virgin Galactic Unveils Under Armour
as Exclusive Technical Spacewear Partner.
Image: Virgin Galactic

The partnership will also see Under Armour create uniforms for Virgin Galactic’s world-class team at Spaceport America in New Mexico. Whether engineers, astronaut trainers and hosts, or mission control operatives, each member of the Virgin Galactic team will be wearing Under Armour apparel specifically chosen to enhance performance and to provide a tangible sense of shared purpose.

As Under Armour crafts the Virgin Galactic collection, it draws inspiration from its strong heritage of innovative performance solutions for some of the world’s top athletes. Under Armour will mimic the holistic approach it takes with those individuals and in addition to apparel will design programs for astronaut physical preparation and recovery with a focus on enhancing mobility, strength, fitness, nutrition, and sleep.

Virgin Galactic's Third Powered Flight on July 26th 2018 - Flight B-Roll
Image: Virgin Galactic

Flying to space will be a profound experience for Virgin Galactic astronauts. After a thrilling high acceleration, rocket-powered, vertical ascent in SpaceShipTwo at more than three times the speed of sound, passengers will be able to leave their seats and experience the freedom of weightlessness while marvelling at spectacular, life changing views of planet Earth from the black sky of space. The custom-fitted Under Armour spacesuits will inspire confidence through comfort and practicality without compromising the natural desire of every Virgin Galactic astronaut both to feel good and look good during this unparalleled life experience.

The full range of apparel and footwear is set to be revealed later this year, ahead of Richard Branson’s inaugural commercial flight.

Commenting on the Under Armour partnership, Richard Branson said: “I have followed Under Armour’s progress through a personal friendship with its CEO, Kevin Plank and via the great relationships it has established over the years with various Virgin companies. I’ve loved its determination to push technical boundaries in order to improve performance, so could not have been more pleased when Kevin and his talented teams stepped up to the considerable task of creating a range of space apparel and performance programs for Virgin Galactic. Our partnership is built on the firm foundations of shared values and it will be an absolute privilege to wear an Under Armour astronaut space suit on Virgin Galactic’s inaugural commercial space flight.”

Kevin Plank, CEO, Under Armour said, “Working with Sir Richard and Virgin Galactic is an opportunity of a lifetime, one that has the entire Under Armour team across the world excited. This is a great opportunity to test our innovation at the highest level and continue to push the limits of human performance.”

Best of British Fabrics at Premiere Vision Paris

UKFT booth at Première Vision  Paris September 2018 edition, showcasing top quality British fabrics to industry professionals.   Photo © Lucia Carpio 

Every year the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) take more than 700 British companies to the international market place taking part in overseas trade shows to display the best of British products, as part their work to support British brands establish or expand their export.  

British fabrics sought after by international fashion houses.
Photo by Lucia Carpio at Premiere Vision Paris, September 2018.

 International fashion houses, as well as agents, press and buyers alike across the whole industry have come to rely on the Association to gain news and information  on the well-made and superbly designed  British products and brands. at major events.

This week, among other activities, UKFT is leading a delegation  of British and London-based designers this week are showcasing their collections at Men’s and Women’s Fashion Week, as well as showing their British pre-Collections in showrooms.

Come February 2019, another entourage of top British mills will be taking part in the Premiere Vision Paris Fabrics trade fair due to take place February 12 – 14, under the banner of UKFT in partnership with Department for International Trade.

At the last Premiere Vision Paris event held last September, British mills wowed the fashion industry with some of the most desirable qualities and designs for the Autumn/Winter 2019-2020 season.

Click HERE for a reminder of the luxury British fabrics on show in the September 2018 Premiere  Vision Paris trade show.

Première Vision Paris Organisers gearing up for February 2019 edition

Come this February, fashion, textiles and design professionals around the world as well as all interested in the latest technology in materials, garments and accessories, will be heading to Paris for another edition of Première Vision Paris.

Among highlights on the show programme will be new initiatives supporting young design talent, including the hosting of the finalists from the 34th Hyères Festival of Fashion, Photography and Fashion Accessories competition as well as a collaboration with young designer DAWEI - a 2018 and 2019 Designers Apartment talent – whose design will manifest as the show's hostesses’ outfits.  Dawei Sun is known for pairing his  Chinese roots with years of experience in Paris working with the likes of Balenciaga, John Galliano and Cacharel with an East meets West point-of-view.

Organisers for Première Vision Paris, due to take place 12 to 14 February at Parc des Expositions in Villepinte, north of Paris, advised that some 1,777 international exhibitors from 50 countries, including 161 new companies, will be on hand to showcase their latest and the most relevant on offer.

Organisers also revealed that the show will see an overall increase of 3% in exhibitor numbers, as compared to the February 2018 event.  As in previous events, the February show will be covering yarns, fabrics, leather, designs, accessories and manufacturing to meet the diverse needs of the respective industries.

Scheduled in the February edition will be the Third edition of the highly popular WEARABLE LAB platform, which is dedicated to Fashion Tech.  This year, the Augmented Man will be set up in partnership with the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode to shed light on innovative materials, technologies and services. 

Spotlight will also be shed on exceptional artisanship and know-hows in the MAISON D’EXCEPTIONS section – now in its eighth edition, as well as sourcing solutions under PREMIÈRE VISION MANUFACTURING; and surface and textile designs under PREMIÈRE VISION DESIGNS.

To help industry professionals in their decisions for putting together their new collections, there will also be a programme of exclusive fashion seminars from the Première Vision fashion team to decode key trends for the Spring Summer 2020 season.  Additionally a selection of special meetings dedicated to topical issues will take place, and for those interested in new developments in the leather industry, there is a new collaboration between the French luxury leather goods brand Ephyre and Première Vision Accessories.  These are just a few of the highlights.

All photos from the February 2018 Premiere Vision Paris show by Lucia Carpio.

Annie Sloan's take on Living Coral

Pantone’s announcing Living Coral as the new colour of 2019 signals images in my mind of exotic places with warm sunshine.

It is no doubt an uplifting and happy colour, giving a feeling of hope and optimism.

Living Coral is already making waves in the interior design world, that can add cheerful notes and personality to homes.








According to paint expert and colour guru Annie Sloan,  Living Coral is a vibrant, almost neon coral, rare throughout the history of colour, because a shade this strong would have been expensive to make.

Annie Sloan:  Chalk Paint Coral Mix Using Tilton And Emperor's Silk.
Image from Annie Sloan.

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Annie Sloan says, “To me, it (Living Coral) conjures up the flavours of India and Morocco, of spices and sunsets.” 

“Create your own coral by mixing two Chalk Paint™ colours together. (As shown above) Three parts of Tilton, a mustard yellow, with one part Emperor’s Silk, a pure bright red, reflects that energy you can see in Pantone’s colour.”

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ Sunset Squares On Panelled Wall, featuring Antoinette, Barcelona Orange, Emperor's Silk Radiator features Chalk Paint™ by Annie Sloan in Antoinette. Daybed covered in Antoinette Linen Union Panels in Chalk Paint™;  Table top and floorboards in Chalk Paint™ Scandinavian Pink. Table legs in Chalk Paint™ Honfleur.  Image from Annie Sloan.

Annie adds: "Pack a punch by playing with blocks of colour, Josef Albers-style.  A sunset-inspired palette of Chalk Paint™ in Antoinette, Barcelona Orange, Emperor’s Silk and an Antoinette and Barcelona Orange mix will create a lively look that’s perfect for summer schemes.

Annie Sloan giving a demonstration with her Chalk Paint™ at a recent TopDrawer  London trade event.
Photo © Lucia Carpio 2019

"Once the walls are saturated with juicy colour, move onto floors, radiators, side table, trays - because of it’s unique formulation Chalk Paint™ can be applied to any surface without prepping, sanding or priming, while a coat of wax or lacquer will keep your furniture looking fresh into Autumn and beyond."

Walls imitating Art.

Now that the Christmas and New Year decorations are coming down, the rooms can look a bit bare and empty.    Why not give your interior a fresh new look for the new year.

A new collection of expressionist wallpaper murals from Wallsauce.com can do just that.  These murals are by contemporary British artist Anne Farall Doyle who had spent her early career at an advertising agency before gaining international recognition as a freelance figurative and fashion artist.  Anne was born in Cheshire, England, and a selection of her latest 10-piece collection is shown here.


Anne begins with careful planning, sketching and sourcing materials, then creates her art before building momentum around the canvas focussing on memories and emotions.

The murals are ideal for creating a dramatic feature wall in any room.  Each features a variety of colourful abstract designs she created using oils and various other mixed media.

They can be sourced from Wallsauce.com, available on a choice of wallpaper materials, including past-the-wall wallpapers and a peel and stick wallpaper.

Images from Wallsauce.com