While Designscape 2020 launches in August, Fashion SVP autumn show is cancelled.

London and UK fashion and design trade fairs, along with the rest of the global events industry, have had to change their show dates and exhibition arrangements in recent months in view of the current Covid-19 crisis.  However you lose some you win some.
First there is a new virtual show called Designscape 2020 that organisers believe “conceptualises a unique and much needed opportunity for the design community to connect, do business remotely, network from anywhere in the world and learn on a scale like never before.”  This inaugural event, from 11 – 13 August, came from the creative minds behind leading design shows Decorex, designjunction, kbb Birmingham and Sleep & Eat, which have cancelled their autumn 2020 events.

Decorex September 2019 at Olympia, Kensington, London.  Photo © Lucia Carpio

Bringing together those at the forefront of the global Residential, Hospitality & Retail communities, its three-day programme looks to the future of design, combining virtual symposiums, educational and topical seminars, global matchmaking & speed networking, and a comprehensive product directory. Each day will feature unrivaled thought-leading programming and conversations with real-time audience engagement from trailblazers in business and design to innovators in science and technology.

Now among the latest to announce cancellation of their autumn 2020 event is Fashion SVP which will not show in September.  Their new dates will be 26-27th January 2021 in London.
The organisers said in a statement, “We want our exhibitors and visitors to be able to travel freely to the show, feel safe and secure whilst taking part, and maximise the benefits achieved from both the time and financial investment they are making.  With this in mind, we have now taken the difficult decision that it will be in the best interests of both our visitors and exhibitors to postpone our September event until January 2021.”
While the UK government is still working with the main trade show trade associations to see when tradeshows will re-open in the UK and how they will work with social distancing measures etc., there is not yet enough certainty about the nature of the guidelines and how this will impact upon visitor confidence, for us to plan with confidence and in detail for September. Additionally many brands and retailers are in a state of flux in the UK at present and their sourcing requirements are not clear at the moment.