Trade fair attendance trends: what organisers and buyers report

Are visitor numbers rising or falling at fashion trade fairs?

Pitti Uomo's January 2025 edition welcomed approximately 20,000 visitors over four days, including 13,300 buyers, with international buyers reaching 5,000, a 6.5 per cent increase year on year. The June 2026 edition, however, saw a total of around 11,000 buyers and more than 14,000 visitors, representing approximately 3.5 per cent fewer buyers than June 2025. Texhibition Istanbul attracted 15,493 trade visitors in September 2026, significantly fewer than in 2025, when the figure had risen by 6.7 per cent to more than 24,000. White Milano organisers said the number of international buyers rose 15 per cent compared to September the year before, with the total number of buyers reaching around 9,000. The pattern suggests that while some fairs are attracting more buyers, others are experiencing marked declines, and overall attendance remains sensitive to geopolitical and economic conditions.

Which European fairs reported stable or growing attendance?

Première Vision Paris in February 2025 presented the wares of 1,100 exhibiting firms from approximately 40 nations, attracting 30,000 visitors from 126 nations, including 220 international executives, representing over 13,000 enterprises. For its February 2026 edition, nearly 1,000 rigorously selected exhibitors, hailing from 36 countries, gathered to support Spring-Summer 27 sourcing. White Milano in September 2026 hosted 450 brands, up 24 per cent year over year, with the total number of buyers rising to around 9,000. The British Fashion Council reported that accredited buyer attendance at London Fashion Week's September 2026 edition rose 19 per cent year over year, while accredited international buyer attendance rose 41 per cent. These figures indicate that fairs with strong curatorial reputations or runway programming continue to draw buyers.

What happened to attendance at trade fairs outside Europe?

CHIC Spring 2026 hosted 1,291 exhibitors, 1,335 brands and over 160,000 visitors, reaffirming its role as Asia's leading fashion trade fair. Chic Shanghai Autumn 2026 attracted 70,000 visitors and 700-plus exhibitors at the end of August. MAGIC Las Vegas reported 16,900-plus attendees across its 2026 Las Vegas event, including a mix of brands, buyers, influencers, stylist, industry experts and press. In contrast, Texhibition Istanbul in September 2026 attracted 15,493 trade visitors, down from more than 24,000 in 2025, while attendance in March had already declined to 19,325. Asian fairs appear to maintain robust visitor volumes, while some textile-focused events report uneven trajectories.

How has the trade fair landscape consolidated?

Premium, created in 2003, was for years Berlin's major trade show, but after the pandemic hiatus and an attempt to relaunch the format in 2022 and 2023, the group announced in November 2023 that the edition scheduled for January 2024 would not be held and that the model was being terminated. Panorama ceased to be held after its last edition in January 2020, and Seek endured a bit longer but in 2025 the Berlin Senate no longer includes it among the supported events. One industry analysis noted that 2025 confirmed there is no longer room for a dozen large generalist shows spread across Europe, with the map concentrated in a few strong poles while other formats are shrinking, merging or disappearing. The contraction underscores the pressure on mid-tier events to differentiate or exit.

What are organisers and buyers saying about quality versus quantity?

Organisers of Pitti Uomo's June 2026 edition noted that more than the absolute numbers, the quality of participation stood out, with over 5,200 international distribution and high-end retail professionals attending from more than 90 countries. The atmosphere among exhibitors was described as positive, with buyers considered concrete and qualified. White Milano organisers said that the extensive work carried out on the show's brand mix led to a significant increase in buyers, particularly high-profile international buyers, while the new format with the introduction of B2C areas engaged a broader audience. Pitti Uomo's June 2025 edition saw foreign buyers increase by nearly 3 per cent compared to June 2024, with the most significant growth coming from outside Europe, first and foremost the United States and China, followed by Japan and other Southeast Asian economies. The emphasis on buyer calibre suggests organisers are prioritising purchasing power over sheer headcount.

Which product categories and formats are gaining traction?

White Milano in September 2026 expanded to encompass beauty, lifestyle and design alongside fashion accessories, streetwear, activewear and denim, hosting 450 brands, up 24 per cent year over year. Première Vision has reinforced its position as a major international platform for fabrics and components, with the latest editions focusing on innovation and sustainability and incorporating areas for start-ups, technological solutions and content related to beauty and wellness. CHIC Spring 2026 highlighted China's shift towards quality, innovation and global expansion, with strong growth in sportswear and lifestyle segments, rising Gen Z influence and increasing focus on digitalisation and strategic sourcing. The trend towards lifestyle integration and digital services reflects changing buyer expectations and a desire to consolidate sourcing trips.

Key attendance figures at major fairs

Researched and drafted with AI support, reviewed and released by the editorial team.

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