FIMI Boutique kicked off its first day today at Las Naves, the Valencia City Council’s Innovation Center, with a bustling atmosphere and a high level of satisfaction among both exhibiting brands and the international buyers who toured the space throughout the morning. “The goal of Feria Valencia is to support companies in the children’s fashion, footwear, and accessories sector, and in this specific case, we wanted to address a need: the presentation of spring and summer collections,” explains Alicia Gimeno, director of FIMI Boutique.
The idea, she recounts, arose from a very specific need in the business calendar: “In summer, people don’t travel as much for work, of course, but the need for collection presentations remains. With FIMI Boutique, we’ve created a new model, a showroom with appointments scheduled through an appointment system, to present our collections to international buyers who are looking for Spanish fashion.” Gimeno emphasizes that the profile of FIMI Boutique’s “VIP Buyer” is precisely that of a long-distance international buyer: “Spanish children’s fashion enjoys great prestige outside our country due to its pattern making, design, the fabrics used, and, above all, its competitive pricing.”
For this reason, the organizers decided to move the event from its usual venue, Feria Valencia, to a boutique setting: “These are buyers from 25 countries who find a shopping center dedicated to Spanish children’s fashion, with the added charm of the word ’boutique,’ bringing them the very best of each collection.” The event has been supported by Feria Valencia, IVACE Internacional, the Valencia Chamber of Commerce, the Spanish Footwear Industries Federation, and the National Association of Children’s Products (ASEPRI).
The brands participating in this edition of FIMI Boutique represent the best of Spanish and Portuguese children’s fashion: Abel & Lula, Amarca Kids, Babidu, Babydif, Bimbi Dreams, Blues Baby, Bóboli, Boston Kids, Carmen Taberner, Canada House, Cua-Cuak, Fina Ejerique, Foque, Javilar Kids, Juliana, Mac Ilusión, Martín Aranda, Mayoral, Mebi, My Bella Moon, Paloma de la O, Paz Rodríguez, Rapife, Ria Menorca, Siena Complementos, Tartaleta, Tobogán, Tutto Piccolo, Yatsi, and Yowas. “These are established brands with international recognition, whose participation makes this event a must-attend for discovering the trends that will define the upcoming season in the premium segment of the sector,” the organizers explain.
The meeting schedule, managed through the B2Match platform, allows buyers to explore the full range of offerings from the brands gathered in the space during 45- to 50-minute meetings. “Initially, we planned for around 15 exhibiting companies, but we’ve grown to 24 top-tier Spanish companies that have seen this format as an opportunity to present their collections to new and existing buyers whom they wouldn’t otherwise be able to reach without the support of FIMI and Feria Valencia,” explains the director, who summarizes the project’s philosophy with the motto: “Let’s walk together in the same direction.”
The Perspective of International Buyers
Throughout the day, various buyers from diverse markets shared their initial impressions of the event and Spanish children’s fashion. The organizers emphasize that the international profile of the buyers in attendance reflects the global reach that FIMI Boutique has already achieved in its first edition. Fifty professionals from 25 countries—including the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Turkey, as well as importers and distributors from Latin America and Eastern Europe—have signed up for the event thanks to the reverse trade mission program organized with the support of IVACE+i Internacional and the Valencia Chamber of Commerce. From Bratislava, Andrea Gajdosova, owner of a children’s clothing store in the Slovakian capital, came to FIMI Boutique primarily looking for footwear: “I have very good experience with Spanish brands. I already import seven brands from Spain and I’m looking for new opportunities, because the design and value for money of Spanish products are European leaders.” Gajdosova said she is finding all kinds of options, such as a brand of handcrafted sandals: “Seeing a quality product handmade in Europe is simply fantastic.”
From Japan, Yuki Itoh, from Kobe, was looking for children’s fashion with embroidery and floral prints, an aesthetic that resonates directly with Japanese taste: “Spanish children’s fashion is beautiful, and we Japanese like fabrics with small flowers,” explains Yuki, “Spanish children dress wonderfully and I find all those little embroideries fascinating.”