Brot & Butter

Just from the poster – with its distinctly Che-esque figure – we should have known that a revolution was brewing at this Winter's Bread & Butter. Still, nobody quite expected this.

Prior to the opening, industry insiders had been snickering about how long-standing partner WGSN had been snubbed in favour of StyleSight as the provider of trend and style forecasts, but it was local paper La Vanguardia that had everybody’s jaw dropping when it revealed that the trade fair would no longer be hosted in Barcelona, just two days before the opening of the gates.

Details of the move back to Berlin – to the old Tempelhof airport – will only be confirmed at this morning’s press conference, but in the light of such news, the innovations at this edition seemed small fry.

[update: At this morning's press conference it was confirmed that Bread & Butter is leaving Barcelona - "don't cry Barcelona, be proud", were the comforting words from Karl Heinrich Müller, B&B head honcho - and will be hosted by a new city starting this Summer. Mr Müller declined to confirm that it indeed is Berlin, as 'one shouldn't talk about your new bride in your ex-wife's presence'. The chances of B&B returning to the Catalan capital weren't ruled out, but unlikely for the next four or five years. No details were given about Barcelona Fashion Place and other fashion initiatives that the City of Barcelona are planning to fill the void left from the departing trade fair.]

Of the new, new stuff, StyleSight’s reports came across in the best of New York style: truly slick, if perhaps a bit shallow; the much trumpeted Flea Market felt more like last day at the sales than an independent designer outlet; confusion seemed to reign about the purpose of The Source, the part dedicated to fashion fabrics.

Other than this, it was business as usual, if perhaps somewhat lower key, with fewer exhibitors and visitor attendance seemingly down. Perhaps a bit of German stick won’t be a bad thing.

See you in Berlin.

Bread & Butter Barcelona - January 21-23 2009

Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts exhibition

WoodWood at the Fleamarket

Get styled and shot at the Street Fashion area

Exhibition at The Source