Berlin Fashion Week: Summer Editions of the trade fairs are cancelled

Now what many have already expected, has become official: Due to the senate’s decision to ban major events with more than 5000 visitors until 24 October, the trade fairs of the Berlin Fashion Week will not be able to take place.

Initially, the summer edition of Berlin Fashion Week was supposed to take place from 28 June to 2 July 2020. However, the Covid-19 pandemic and the measures which have been applied to contain the virus, result in the big events as the trade fairs being cancelled.

On 18 March, Jörg Wichmann of Panorama Berlin announced the cancellation of the trade fair at Tempelhof Airport. However, Wichmann put emphasis on the fact that he will be working on a new, digital solution for the industry, as well as trade: "At the same time, we are also seeing this new situation as an opportunity to think about other constructive opportunities for networking during a time when we are all unable to physically meet up in person. We have already put together a taskforce who are working on a modern, digital product, which we are developing from our capacity as a tradeshow organiser“.

Thimo Schwenzfeier, managing director of the sustainable trade fair Neonyt, had cancelled the event on Monday. In the official press release of Neonyt, it states the following: “We remain in close contact with other market participants and the responsible authorities in Berlin. Our aim is to offer the industry a safe, upbeat and forward-looking setting as a valuable incentive for doing business after the crisis. That’s why we are doing everything in our power to arrange a presentation platform for the industry in the second half of the year – in whatever form and on whatever date that may be – and we will keep everyone informed about the latest developments in good time.”

Today, the Premium Group also announced the cancellation of its trade fairs Premium and Seek, as well as its Fashiontech conference. Initially, an alternative date for the Premium Group events was planned, but today Anita Tillman stated the following in a press release: “We greatly regret the decision of course, especially after the success of our January events. The ban on large-scale events has been around for some time and has been publicly discussed. It hurts us to do it, but we are also conscious of our responsibility. If cancelling our trade shows, conferences and parties contributes to the safety of our customers and visitors, then we have to take this step“.

The Fashion Council Germany is in touch with politicians at national and international level, in order to find joint initiatives and solutions for the German fashion industry at the time of the Corona crisis. At the beginning of the crisis, the association reacted to this with a requirement sheet, which was presented to the government together with a requirement analysis. In addition, the central interest group of the German fashion industry is currently working hard to set up various online formats. Some have already been implemented: a newsroom with up-to-date information and links to funding and assistance, onlinecourses on the topic of the Corona crisis and digital discussion platforms in the form of e-talks and roundtables.

"We must and can only manage the crisis together. But we also need to shape our future together and in a visionary way and use the effects of the crisis to criticise and improve the system," said Scott Lipinski, Managing Director of Fashion Council Germany.