Press release

The 21st edition of LE CUIR A PARIS took place from 20 to 22 September and showed the positive results of 10 years at the service of professionals from the leather sector. More than ever, the show is positioned as the unmissable reference in the collections calendar, both because of the range it shows and because of its visitorship.

The figures, which have never been better, speak for themselves: 353 exhibitors, 30 of which are new and 15 returning, showed their winter 12/13 collections. This is an increase of +7% in exhibitor numbers and +18% in surface area compared to September 2010. For Mme Béatrice Rousseau, the Commissioner-General of the show, “the increase in surface area covered by the exhibitors demonstrates that they are investing in LE CUIR A PARIS as it is a sure thing in an uncertain economic climate.”

M. Luca Giananti, of the Italian company Dolmen, specialised in leathers for leathergoods and shoes, is back at LE CUIR A PARIS after a period of absence, “because of the perfect timing between the show's dates and the preparation of the winter 12/13 collections." It is for the same reason that the Italian company GVM Studio attended LE CUIR A PARIS for the first time. The company’s export manager, Maria Sipontina Valente told us, “The dates of the show meant we were able to reach clients from Europe, China, the Far East and Australia." Similar comments were made by visitors, such as Sybilla Mortelmans, Footwear Product Manager for the Spanish Hoss Intropia label, who visits “LE CUIR A PARIS each season because the dates are ideal for choosing materials for footwear and accessories.”

Echoing the record number of exhibitors, the show registered 12,759 visitors from 103 countries, an increase of +15.3% against comparable editions and our best visitor figures to date. Unsurprisingly, most visitors come from France, Italy and other European countries, such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, etc. The proportion of international (60%) and French (40%) visitors remains stable. However, amongst the Top Ten countries we note the strengthened presence of China (+35.8%), the United States (+17%) and Japan (+33.3%). The Turkish company, Badesa Deri, exhibiting for the first time at LE CUIR A PARIS, was delighted with the number and diversity of new contacts made with buyers from China, Japan, the United States, Canada and also France, Italy, Germany and Spain.

The wide range of products on offer at LE CUIR A PARIS and its complementarity with its partners from PREMIERE VISION PLURIEL draws buyers and decision-makers from key international markets and makes the show even more attractive to its exhibitors. “We show at LE CUIR A PARIS because we can meet with the leading fashion houses and renowned brands”, explains José Manuel Rubio of the Spanish company Timbrados Rubio, who exhibits in a number of international shows. The same applies to Luis Ampero from Pelle Magna International, a company specialised in shagreen leathers. “We are here to work with the biggest brands, test the market temperature, find out about trends, and adapt our collections to the demands of stylists.” Visitors are telling us the same thing. For Stefania Donato, Accessories Product Manager for Moncler: “The complementarity with ModAmont is particularly interesting. We can see the leather and accessories ranges at the same time. The fashion, material and colour information is very pertinent.”

The show makes a real effort to enrich the fashion information it offers through the Trends Gallery, the forum dedicated to interior design, and with its new cycle of conferences. Mr Michel Hervy, who has exhibited at LE CUIR A PARIS since its inception in 2001, recognised the efforts made by the show’s organisers to encourage contact between exhibitors and visitors. “The show has managed to develop slowly but surely and gradually overtake all the others while maintaining its very manageable size. Placing the Trends Gallery at the heart of the show, near the stands, encourages meetings. The homogeneity of the stand sizes makes it easy for decision makers to identify exhibitors. This is one of the strengths of LE CUIR A PARIS, and why it stands out from the crowd.”

Next edition: 14 -16 February 2012