Sipiel changes dates

With two months to go before the staging of the 19th edition of SIPIEL, International Footwear and Leathergoods Week, the participation of 557 companies is already confirmed. The net exhibition area has also increased, totalling 30,622 sq m. Over the next few weeks, the number of exhibitors participating at Modacalzado and Iberpiel Marroquineria, the two fairs that make up the Week is expected to top 750. Sipiel will take place on 23-25 March at Feria de Madrid, a week earlier than initially planned, with a view to facilitating the attendance of foreign buyers. Thus SIPIEL will conclude the calendar of European international fairs. Due to this change of dates, Iberpiel Marroquineria will now take place in Hall 1, where companies such as Olimpo, Guy Laroche and Cats will present their Autumn-Winter 2007/08 Collections. Modacalzado will move to Halls 3, 5, 7 and 9. The 'Zapateando' exhibition will feature all the art and magic of flamenco to present the shoes and boots that various flamenco stars have used in their shows. As at the March edition of the fair last year, the Calzarte exhibition will present the best photographs from the National Photography Competition. The theme this year is the world of leather footwear and fashion accessories. Two of the photos chosen by the jury will be used as promotional images for the fair in March and September. All of these activities will be complemented by the Trends Showcases, which will present the most outstanding new products and innovations offered by the various exhibitors at the fair. The September 2007 edition, which will present the participants' ideas for the Spring-Summer 2008 Season, will take place from 27-29 September, once again from Thursday to Saturday, thus moving a day closer to MICAM. In September, the fair will return to its traditional Halls 4, 6, 8, 9 and 10 at Feria de Madrid.