First time at Who’s Next and Interfilière with two buyers from the Japanese group Daytona International

From their first impressions to their buying strategy and brand crush, Marina Susaki and Miyu Toyama told us all about their first experience at the trade shows.

On one side, FREAK’S STORE, 60 stores in Japan and a go-to place for casual and edgy ready to wear. On the other side, Firsthand, a responsible and curated approach to lifestyle, with a brand-new clothing line and a will to expand its wholesale network. In charge of these two brands, Marina Susaki and Miyu Toyama visited Who’s Next and Interfilière for the first time. An inspiring experience which also offers a fresh take on these two essential trade shows, from a Japanese market perspective. Here is what they had to say about it.

Closer to the trends

It is, first and foremost, contact with the brands and garments that won over the two buyers. In an image and data-driven industry, being able to see, touch and get inspired by the products is the best way to evaluate their potential, difficult to capture from a distance. For Japanese professionals, flying to Paris to meet international textile players provides a valuable source of information and inspiration in order to build a strong, long-term buying strategy.

A wider perspective

And this strategy varies according to brands and boutiques, as some products are displayed in every store, and others sold during pop-up sales or more localized operations. These are crucial choices to be made for a brand such as Firsthand, undergoing a transition from e-commerce to physical retail.


Marina Susaki and Miyu Toyama agree: Who’s Next is essential to be able to picture, in real-time, the placement of a product in a specific atmosphere. But it can also widen a buyer’s perspectives. Marina Susaki, who came to source leather accessories for FREAK’S STORE, ended up discovering clothes that might broaden her selection in an interesting way.

D’un salon à l’autre 

La proximité entre Who’s Next et Interfilière, déployés dans le même hall, a également permis à Miyu Toyama de sourcer une grande variété de tissus européens (particulièrement attrayants pour le marché japonais) pour développer les collections Firsthand, mais également de déceler des opportunités de collaborations exclusives inattendues, sur des produits répondant aux enjeux précis de son marché.


Une fois de plus, Who’s Next s’impose comme un rendez-vous central pour échanger, apprendre et enrichir les conversations qui font le cœur du secteur. Un avis partagé par les deux acheteuses, qui préparent déjà leur prochaine édition.


Les marques coups de cœur des deux acheteuses

Studio Francosse, Citrus, Organic Basics, Rosa Mendez

Similar articles