The forthcoming edition of Le Cuir A Paris, to be held on March 9-10, 2005, at Paris Expo – Porte de Versailles, will count with the participation of 132 exhibitors, of which seven exhibitors will be participating for the first time (from Argentina, Greece, Italy, Pakistan, Turkey) and eight exhibitors who are returning after a period of absence, mainly from Spain and France.

Exotic skins are on a slight increase (+ 2%) compared to April 2004. Finished leather for shoes and leathergoods top the list of exhibited products. Amongst the novelties: CEO Orylag (France) will present their its new fur collection with innovative and creative colours ; Pel SA (Argentina) will participate for the first time in Le Cuir A Paris with a beautiful collection of exotic leather from Patagonia and Ind Pellami (Italy) will reveal their impressive water snake skins.

New to Le Cuir A Paris is the participation of British, Finnish and Russian designers. The Central Ostrobothnia Polythechnic (Finland) is one of the rare schools specialised in the fur and leather sectors. The students graduate to work in design and management. Regularly, several collections are created in collaboration with international sponsors such as manufacturers and well-known designers. For Le Cuir A Paris, the work of 18 students will be presented through five fashion themes.

Holding a ‘Multi Media Textiles’ diploma, Julia Harwood and Elizabeth Herbert (England) re-work materials for use in fashion (clothing) and interior design. Their creations have drawn the attention of the British press and they will be presenting new material perspectives specially designed for Le Cuir A Paris.

Five Russian designers (Alexander Petrov, Beltransprogress, Irina Tantsurina, Konstantinopl Furs and OOO Pacckazobckue Mexa) will show their clothing and accessories collections in fur, particularly wild fur, for the first time in France.

French design will also be represented with the participations of Odette Bombardier and Anne Flore Sangan. Odette offers in her collection of clothes and accessories another vision of noble materials by working with the skins of snake, crocodile, lamb and also frogs, galuchats and cocks. Anne Flore inspires herself from the sophistication of the femme fatale in her creations of accessories and searches a harmonious conciliation between the quality of the European handcraft and the innovative, original ideas.

Fish’Art, present in last September’s edition and whose works were exhibited in the VIP/Press Room, comes back to this edition with a new artistic outline.

The trends in colours and materials for the spring/summer 2006 season will be presented in detail by the French Bureau de Style Chaussure Maroquinerie Cuir, on Wednesday March 9 at 11.30am. No need to pre-register for this event which will take place in the VIP/Press Room.

March 9-10, 2005, Paris Expo – Porte de Versailles, Hall 6, Wednesday: 9.30am – 7.30pm, Thursday: 9.30am – 5.30pm