Hobby, Arts & Crafts will return to Autumn Fair International 2013 after a sensational show last year, which saw a 300% increase in floor space for this booming sector.
The next edition of the Fair, organised by i2i Events Group, will take place from September 1 – 4 at The NEC, Birmingham.
Almost 30 companies have already signed up to Hobby, Arts & Crafts, to be located in Hall 4 of The NEC alongside the complementary areas of Greetings & Stationery and Fashion Jewellery & Accessories.
As well as welcoming some of the best British brands in this market, Hobby, Arts & Crafts at Autumn Fair will host major suppliers from Germany, Spain, Slovenia, Sweden, India, Hong Kong and the USA.
Spanish import/exporter Comer Sevimex SL, a specialist in sewing notions, handicraft accessories, threads and knitting yarns, is one of the new international exhibitors visitors can look forward to seeing at the show.
A raft of the world’s biggest yarn and fabric suppliers – Thomas B. Ramsden, Sirdar Spinning, King Cole, DMC Creative World, Coats Crafts and Grundl Wool – will return to the exhibition after a brilliant debut at the 2012 show.
Thomas B. Ramsden, DMC Creative World and Sirdar Spinning are also sponsoring the stunning central feature of Hobby, Arts & Crafts at Autumn Fair, the Craft Catwalk, where runway shows will take place three times a day, interspersed with an absorbing schedule of seminars from industry experts.
Buyers will have the opportunity to review the latest trends in yarns, fabrics, threads and patterns for the Autumn/Winter season as well as seeing knitwear fashions come to life. Yarn sets for gift shops will be available in abundance, along with a huge variety of ancillary products for specialist craft retail outlets.
The star presenter of the 2012 Craft Seminar programme, Anthea Turner, vowed to Get Britain Crafting at the show, saying: “For a retailer it’s so easy to come here, Autumn Fair is a one-stop-shop. You have great representation from all the major companies; it’s a mecca for the craft industry.”
Speaking of his 2013 Catwalk sponsorship, Thomas Ramsden commented: “We exhibited at the Autumn Fair 2012 but did not take part in the Catwalk. We had a great show and really enjoyed the spectacle of the Catwalk so decided to be involved this year.
“This is the perfect opportunity to show our fashion garments to everyone attending the show. Our stand obviously highlights our collections but designs on actual models give them more depth and brings the designs to life. By being part of the Catwalk it allows retailers to see the detail of the designs more clearly – the fashion element is an important one as we appeal to all age groups. We believe the Catwalk highlights and attracts and is an important part of the overall impression of the show”.
Kate Burton of DMC Creative World was also looking forward to the show, saying: “The Craft Catwalk is a perfect platform to show that the DMC business has evolved enormously over the past years and it is now moving from strength to strength, offering an extensive portfolio of products to an even wider retailer base. Last year visitors were captured by our current range of crochet patterns and creative designs using our Hoooked yarn that appeared on the Catwalk and many people came onto our stand as a result of this.
“The reaction from stylists, organisers, our competitors, the audience and customers alike was extremely positive. The show has marked a significant step forward for the DMC brand not only in craft but crossing over and being recognised in other sectors”.
For more information on exhibiting in the Hobby, Arts & Crafts section at Autumn Fair International contact Laura Edwards on +44 (0) 20 3033 2156 or laura.edwards@i2ieventsgroup.com
