For the first time ever BTS Fair of Shoes, Leather and Leather Goods will be staged in November and May. The date for the autumn edition was changed following the suggestions of footwear producers and the edition is aimed at companies which order models from the spring-summer 2010 collection. The trade fair exposition centres on two themes: Trend and Tech and will present collections of footwear, clothing, accessories, leather as well as components...

... and machines for the footwear-leather sector offered by over 150 Polish, Hungarian, Greek, French, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish brands.

Experts will run seminars and lectures on: trends for spring-summer 2010, practical advice and guidelines for business management, ways of preventing unfair competition, ideas for brand strengthening as well as arranging sales outlets so that they are conducive to reaching sales targets. Seminars will be taking place at speaker's corner in Pavilion 3A.

The following issues will be discussed:

The latest footwear, clothing and leather accessories' trends exhibited at the BTS trade fair will be also presented every day during Leather Fashion Show. The shows which will be organized twice per day on a catwalk in Pavilion 3.

On the first day of the trade fair, a business meeting is scheduled to take place in which government representatives and MPs will participate and which will be a platform to exchange views, opinions and experiences on the present standing of this business sector. The meeting is organized by the Polish Chamber of Leather Sector, based in Radom (Polska Izba Bran¿y Skórzanej).

The Leisure Area will be a novelty at the BTS trade fair, an area where people can relax and hold business talks over a cup of aromatic coffee or a glass of refreshing juice. HF Helvetia Furniture is the partner of the Leisure Area.

Award Gala – prestigious awards

On the second day of the trade fair, at the Award Ceremony of the Exhibitor's Evening, the most prestigious award of Miêdzynarodowe Targi Poznañskie will be presented, i.e. the MTP Gold Medal which is given to the best products exhibited at the fair. During the ceremony, Acanthus Aureus statuettes will be presented to those stands which are most conducive to the implementation of company's marketing strategy. The Award Gala will also feature the presentation of 2009 Fashion Website Awards for the best Polish websites of leather sector in the third competition organized by Promedia publishing house. These awards will be granted in the following three categories: producer/importer, trade and designer (for the first time).

Minimalism and Four Elements – footwear and leather accessories' trends

Autumn-winter 2009/2010 footwear is, on the one hand, minimalist, modest and even "austere" in terms of its form but, on the other hand, it is strongly feminine and sometimes referred to as being "theatre-like". A checked pattern is prevailing and it manifests itself in multiple ways -  inspiration is drawn from wool tartan fabrics, kitchen tablecloths or glencheck. Patterns are also inspired by folk handicraft of the Far East, the Orient and military camouflage. Uppers can be of any length, even above the knee. It is primarily sophisticated heels that will draw our attention. The most fashionable colours are dark ones combined with black, blood-red, purple scarlet and subtle changes of neutral colours. Fabrics of different texture are combined: shiny patent leather goes with suede, knitted material or even with lace. The most popular materials are soft nappa leather (patent leather with high gloss ranks best) and suede which can be softly draped. XXL-sized bags are replaced with smaller ones which remind us of pouches which are fringed, embroidered and appliquéd. Popular accessories include clutch bags made of chamois leather, suede, nappa leather, reptile's leather and textiles.

Spring-autumn 2010 draws inspiration from four elements: air, earth, water and fire. The collections of footwear and leather accessories will surprise us by their original forms on the verge of avant-garde and usefulness as well as by fabrics' texture and colours. Different styles will be present in a single item of clothing. Clean light colours will be contrasted with each other: bright with muted ones. The palette of colours will consist of: blue, green, refreshing and almost transparent rainbow-like pastel colours reinforced by hues of fruity sorbets as well as intense, synthetic hues and natural pigments of brown, beige and grey. Textures of fabrics reflect fascination with relief, gloss and abundance of graphic patterns and handicraft. The focus will rest on achieving spectacular effects, vibrating reflections, patent coating, wax polishing, embroidery, graffiti-, manga-, and op-art optical illusions- based ornaments. The most favourite fabrics are: creased cowhide, multi-coloured python leather, semi-transparent and transparent materials, such as: plastic, rubber, silicone, as well as embossed and optics-perforated leather which resembles fish scales or skin of a northern water snake.

Opening hours for traders:
16-17 November 2009 (Monday - Tuesday):        10:00 am – 6:00 pm
18 November 2009 (Wednesday):                        10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Admission regulations:

• Admission is free of charge for professionals – following on-line registration or registration at MTP registration desks
• PLN 20 – regular ticket for the entire trade fair, no prior registration required
• PLN 30 – ticket for the entire trade fair which is also a vehicle entry pass admitting vehicles to trade fair grounds and authorizing parking at the MTP grounds during trade fair opening hours. Vehicle entry pass can be purchased on-line or at MTP ticket offices located at Aleja Lipowa (entrance from ul. Œniadeckich). You can also park your car next to MTP ticket offices for the time of purchasing a vehicle entry pass or registration.

You are invited to participate in the next edition of BTS fair which is scheduled to take place on 11-13 May, 2010.

(Poznañ, 26 October, 2009)