On her first visit to Paris for the Premiere Classe trade show, Pamela Duque — a buyer for the URBN group, which includes Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and Nuuly — offered a fresh take on the show’s distinctive positioning. She attended with the aim of curating a selection for Nuuly, URBN’s short-term clothing and accessories rental platform.

For the buyers at Al Tayer, based in Dubai, Premiere Classe is an essential destination for discovering emerging brands and spotting unique pieces that resonate with their luxury-conscious clientele. This year, Anastasia Gurskaya and other members of her team focused on accessories and jewellery, seeking out brands that align with the Middle Eastern market’s appreciation for exclusivity, craftsmanship, and sustainability.

At the latest edition of Who’s Next in January 2025, Esra Baysal, buyer for Istanbul-based concept store Vakko, had a clear mission. Her goal? To seek out excellence and a unique identity. The purpose? To enhance their global selection for the season.

Amid the continuous energy of Bijorhca, held alongside Who’s Next—where trends are shaped, and creative ideas collide—one enigmatic figure captured the audience’s attention. Gabrielle Huguenot, winner of the Hyères Grand Jury Prize in the Accessories category, transcended the stage of this event, operated under the BOCI, with a performance that was both unsettling and hypnotic.

Opening a boutique is a dream come true for Véronique Cheurlin, who has been attending Who’s Next for three seasons in search of hidden gems.

The doors of Victorienne, a family-run luxury boutique in Bolzano, Italy, have welcomed customers for the past 36 years. Specializing in premium European and American brands, the store has become a staple for high-end fashion lovers. Today, Sophie Carreras, who grew up immersed in this world, shares insights into her profession.

36 years ago, Maha Misto opened the first Green Bird Boutique in Abu Dhabi. Since then, she has opened two more stores showcasing premium brands, from Couture to ready-to-wear. During the last Who’s Next edition, she explained her job and her views on the industry.

On the second day of the Who’s Next trade show, Véronique Beaumont, General Director of the ESMOD Group, outlined the concept of the persona in the era of Marketing 5.0. Her goal? To help brands and boutique managers understand their target audience during economic tension and societal change.

Less well-known than other craft professions, silversmithing is nonetheless a trade of the future, as Eric Despierre from the house of Christofle reminded us, alongside spokespersons from GRETA.

What does the future hold for watchmaking in France? At the Bijorhca trade show, Stéphane Gaston, Deputy Director of Professional and Technological Training at Lycée Diderot, proves that French watchmaking is far from obsolete.

The latest edition of Who's Next marked a significant milestone for Belgian fashion designer Valentine Witmeur, allowing her to showcase her brand and its evolution.

Many young creatives dream of creating a fashion brand, but the journey is full of challenges. For this edition, Who’s Next asked Konbini to bring together emerging designers to share advice for those looking to start their own brand.