THE GROUND

We love bringing you a diverse range of events relevant to your work in the fashion industry, even as the calendar has shifted in these times of social distancing and travel restrictions. Some have been canceled outright, but the majority have moved online. This is the case with conferences such as the Frankfurt-based sustainability trade show and forum Neonyt (January 18–22). Redubbed Neonyt on Air, it will still be providing talks, panel discussions and masterclasses. Trade shows have largely also taken this route, including ISPO Munich (February 1–5). In New York, Coterie Digital is using the B2B ecommerce company NuORDER (who partnered with Micam Milano last year) as a platform. Other shows, including Premium and Liberty Fairs, have chosen the virtual showroom JOOR. However, it isn’t only trade shows that have made the jump to digital: you can also experience some of the finest museum exhibitions from the comfort of your own office or sofa. For instance, the Fashion Institute of Technology is showing the ‘Power Mode – the Force of Fashion’ exhibition digitally. The National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne offers a virtual tour of Comme des Garçons world, with countless videos and photos to show the design process behind the Japanese cult label.

The Ground reinvents the very concept of the trade show, combining B2B with B2C. Conceived by Premium Group and Messe Frankfurt, the new hybrid business-to-people format is the pioneer of future trade shows – from a “marketplace of products” to a “marketplace of purpose and ideas”.

The innovative, inclusive and interactive rendezvous space with a focus on sustainability and denim is designed to attract a young, enthusiastic and revenue-generating generation, and completes the trade show portfolio of Frankfurt Fashion Week. It will take place alongside trade shows Premium Exhibitions, Neonyt and SEEK; conferences and runway schedules are planned during the event’s debut in July 2021.

The Ground covers the industry as a whole, from trim accessory and directto-consumer brands to conventionally distributed denim, sneaker, lifestyle and performance labels. The Conscious Fashion Campaign, working in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Partnerships, will be the presenting partner of Frankfurt Fashion Week. The Ground is committed to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At least five out of 17 SDGs must be fulfilled by exhibitors. This is to meet a new consumer generation’s demand for purpose-driven brands.

It includes formats like Community Space and a Community Content Space, offering new opportunities to display brands, products and processes, with more news to come.

July 5–9, 2021 Messe Frankfurt Ludwig-Erhard-Anlage 1 60327 Frankfurt am Main