Image credit:
Messe München GmbH
Image credit:
Messe München GmbH
ISPO Munich/07/28/2024

Zeitgeist by ISPO: Why these brands are participating (again)

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After a successful premiere last year, the curated special area Zeitgeist by ISPO is entering its second round. Its focus: international trendsetters, new pioneers and young, up-and-coming brands from the growing market segment of contemporary outdoor and sports fashion. Top brands such as Snowpeak, Varsity Headwear, Quartz Co. and We Norwegians are taking part for the second time. Veja and Bellroy follow them and reveal why they want to be at the forefront of the Zeitgeist by ISPO 2024 Edition.

Stage for innovation and sports fashion trends

The 'zeitgeist' captures what people are currently thinking and feeling and how they want to shape their lifestyle. While the OutDoor market was characterized by traditional outdoor enthusiasts in the past, this target group has evolved, differentiated and rejuvenated in recent years. New influences such as urbanity, fashion, streetwear and sustainability are merging with the classic original and giving rise to new, creative players. ISPO Munich wants to offer a platform for this development with the curated special area Zeitgeist by ISPO and address the changing needs of consumers and companies alike. With a uniform look, prefabricated and equipped stand areas in various sizes and a real community feeling, a trade show presence has never been so easy.

"Zeitgeist was by far the most relevant and dynamic area for fashion/sports brands at ISPO Munich 2023. We give five stars for the execution, logistics, ease of set-up and support from the team. We will be back."
said exhibitor Jean-Philippe Robert, President of the Canadian premium sports style brand Quartz Co after the Zeitgeist premiere last year.

And what do brands that are now presenting themselves for the first time at the Zeitgeist by ISPO area have to say? We asked three of them:

Bellroy: "Zeitgeist is a place where our brand can connect with like-minded innovators"

The Australian label Bellroy from Bells Beach and Fitzroy, which was founded at a kitchen table in 2010 and is now headquartered in Melbourne, already sells its collection of travel bags and accessories in over 25 countries. As a certified B Corp, Bellroy is just as concerned about sustainability as it is about the customer's need for style and functionality. However, Bellroy does not want to offer bags for specific environments and locations. "We founded Bellroy with the goal of developing products for everyday use that our customers can use in all their environments, from the gym to the office, from the city to the great outdoors, from the airport to the road trip. We design solutions for everyday needs and are not an 'occasional' brand for special endeavors," explains Julia Gaw from Bellroy.

Taschen der Marke Bellroy, getragen von drei Personen
Die australische Marke Bellroy positioniert sich an der Schnittstelle von Style und Funktion.
Image credit:
Bellroy

Positioned at the intersection of style and function, the brand manufactures products that combine aesthetics, functionality and sustainability and appeal to fashion, travel and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Sports retailers are also increasingly looking for collections that can be used universally and with which they can expand their reach beyond the traditional sports context. For Bellroy, the Zeitgeist by ISPO area with its focus on innovation and trendsetting is therefore the ideal place where the brand can "join forces with like-minded innovators who understand and appreciate our design and world view," says Julia Gaw. Communicating this world view works best in a curated space with brands that think similarly and from person to person. For Bellroy, trade shows are therefore "hugely important as they give us the opportunity to connect face-to-face with industry leaders, customers and partners, fostering growth and collaboration. They are crucial for showcasing products, increasing visibility, training and learning. Ultimately, they are key to cultivating relationships and strengthening influence in the industry."

Veja: "We want to meet independent stores and key accounts that are curious about our approach to performance"

For years, the sneaker market has been a prime example of how the sports and fashion segments influence each other and constantly absorb new impulses. The French brand Veja is one of the sustainability pioneers in the sneaker market and has been creating products that combine social projects, economic justice and ecological materials since 2005. Veja does not develop products to target a specific market, niche, segment or consumer typology. "We try to create products where the design serves as a means for innovation in use, aimed at the end consumer," explains Sophie Bouquet from Veja.

Zwei joggende Personen mit Veja-Produkten
Die Sneakerbrand Veja will nun auch den Performance-Markt mit stylischen und nachhaltigen Schuhen erobern.
Image credit:
Veja

"Sports brands are successful today when they combine sustainability, design and social commitment. Our product development is based on practical and user-oriented issues and not on trends or market requirements. We use all our know-how from the lifestyle sector to transfer it to sport." Veja has not been active in the performance sector for long. Trade shows are essential to emphasize this still young orientation to retailers. Sophie Bouquet: "Trade shows are still very important for us because they give us the opportunity to present Veja from a sports perspective." They offer the best opportunity to discuss a wide variety of topics in direct communication. At Zeitgeist by ISPO, Veja wants to meet stores and key accounts "who are curious about our approach to performance". Veja has also noticed this: The interest of sports/outdoor retailers in more fashionable collections is increasing. Sophie Bouquet: "Since the start of the Gropcore trend, the boundary between fashion and outdoor has become increasingly permeable.

The community idea is a central component of the Zeitgeist by ISPO concept
Image credit:
Messe München GmbH

Snowpeak: "As an emerging brand in Europe, nurturing wholesale relationships is key for our growth"

The outdoor apparel brand Snow Peak, founded 1958 in Japan by a climber dissatisfied with existing climbing gear, has since become a still-expanding company with a distinct outdoor culture. After already being part of ISPO in 2020, Snow Peak returns to the Zeitgeist by ISPO Area this year. After the pandemic and with the introduction of virtual meetings and budget cuts, trade shows have been challenging for the company. "However, we have seen in other shows across Europe that the footfall is increasing again", the brand explains their return. Snow Peak also loves the appeal of Zeitgeist by ISPO: "Zeitgeist is changing the way people think about the outdoors." As an emerging brand in Europe, nurturing wholesale relationships is key for their growth.

Snow Peak offers unique functional apparel rooted in a rich Japanese camping history
Image credit:
Snowpeak

Snow Peak also exhibits at other trade shows, but Zeitgeist by ISPO is special for the brand. The lack of need for an individual stand at the Zeitgeist area is something the company is looking forward to. "For us exhibiting at the show it is important to have access to as much available at Zeitgeist as possible. Being close with other brands that also push into the EU market will bring synergies to Snow Peak." They also mentioned the logistics of Zeitgeist by ISPO as a plus, helping them getting the most out of the show.

This is what Zeitgeist by ISPO 2024 Edition offers:

  • Trend-setting brands: From established favorites to up-and-coming labels, ZEITGEIST by ISPO brings together the most exciting names in the industry, such as Sandqvist Bags & Items AB, We Norwegians, Varsity Headwear, Snowpeak, VEJA, Amundsen Sports AS, Haglöfs AB or Bellroy.
  • New pioneers: Discover the next generation of fashion pioneers who are pushing boundaries and redefining the landscape of sports and streetwear.
  • Curated exhibition stands: Experience an effortless presentation with prefabricated and equipped stand spaces in various sizes from 20 to 120 square meters.
  • All-inclusive pricing: Whether you're a startup or an established brand, ZEITGEIST by ISPO offers an accessible platform to showcase your collections without the stress of additional costs.

Would you like to be part of Zeitgeist by ISPO 2024?
Then contact Constanze Fuchs directly:

Get in touch now

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