Modefabriek meets… Fashion Club 70

In the run-up to the next edition of Modefabriek, our exhibitors share their latest news and plans for the upcoming exhibition edition on 7 + 8 July 2024. We kick off the season with agency Fashion Club 70, which is known for brands such as Pinko, Seven for All Mankind, Michael Kors, Ba&sh and Guess. 

What news for summer 2025 can you share with us?

Daan Bruggenwirth, commercial director of agency Fashion Club 70 based in Antwerp: "We have several bits of news. First, Guess, one of the biggest brands within Fashion Club, implemented a new segmentation last season. The main line, formerly known as Guess Jeans, is now referred to as Guess. Here, still expect the feminine denim looks the brand has traditionally been known for. Guess Jeans is now a slightly younger line with sporty collegiate looks. Think varsity jackets and jumpers with graphics. There is also the new compact line Guess Originals for high-end retailers, inspired by the brand's heritage. Here you will find iconic styles; think elaborate denim jackets, sweaters, and knitwear. We are coming to Modefabriek with Guess' collection because it fits perfectly among the other brands at the fair."

And so, there is more news to report?

"We are bringing our new Belgian brand Studio Clique to The Fashion Gallery at Modefabriek. This brand was launched by three women, two of whom have worked for us in the past. From their multi-brand shop Lune Lautre in Edegem, north of Antwerp, they have developed their own brand Studio Clique. We are the distributor for Benelux. It has a Parisian vibe with a nice mix of clean basic styles and outspoken pieces. In Belgium it has gone like a comet, and we are now going to expand in the Dutch market."

What are you going to show off at the upcoming edition of Modefabriek?

"On our own stand, we will present the brands Fracomina, Vicolo, BSB and Guess. At 140 square metres, the stand will be a lot bigger. This is a deliberate choice, as we will test whether customers are willing to write orders at the show. We noticed in recent seasons that some Dutch people find the trip to our showrooms in Antwerp too far and were happy to write their orders on the stand. We are now anticipating that."

What attracts Fashion Club 70 to Italian brands?

"When our founder started in the 1970s, everyone in the industry focused on German and French brands. He consciously chose to bring Italian brands to the Netherlands. He worked with many big names, from Gianfranco Ferré and Versace to Dolce & Gabbana. Our roots are in these kinds of collections, but we are also adding more and more brands in a different segment. We started as one of the first distributors with American premium denim labels and now we also work a lot with Belgian, French and Scandinavian brands. But we will always have something with Italy."

Why do you think it's important to be present at Modefabriek?

"The reason we have been focusing on Modefabriek for seasons is that we believe in the power of repetition. This has already paid off. We meet all relevant buyers here every season: from the big multibrand shops and department stores to the finest boutiques and concept stores. We bring the brands that fit well among the other brands at Modefabriek in terms of price, but we hope that when the buyers we meet at Modefabriek visit us in Antwerp, we can also introduce them to our other brands, which are positioned a little higher. From contacts, we gather that many shops are thinking of upgrading and want to add more premium labels. Something that is of course very interesting for our agency."

Written by Rosita van der Kwaak