Spain’s Fimi Children’s Fashion Show evolves with renewed format and global outlook

Spain’s children’s fashion sector is gaining momentum on the global stage. On June 23 and 24, the Fimi trade fair hosted its 99th edition at its usual venue, Feria Valencia, under a new “Summer Showroom” concept. This refreshed format reinforced Fimi’s status as a vital international meeting point for Spanish kidswear, drawing buyers from over 30 countries. The latest edition emphasized digital tools, commercial efficiency, and adapting to evolving global market demands.

This edition adopted a more streamlined, showroom-style model prioritizing product visibility over booth design. The condensed two-day format was specifically tailored to meet the expectations of international buyers. “Our goal was to create an environment where brands could showcase their products simply and directly—aligned with the needs of global buyers, who are now our primary focus,” explained show director Alicia Gimeno.

Promising new arrivals

This international strategy benefited several exhibiting brands, including The Boston Kids, which debuted as part of the Mayoral Group. Stephan Brunsteiner, deputy commercial director of Mayoral Moda Infantil and head of the brand, explained that the label was born from a desire to translate the original adult brand’s spirit into the children’s segment: “We wanted to take the brand’s DNA and apply it to kidswear, evolving the tagline ‘Adult isn’t boring’ into ‘Growing up isn’t boring.’ We’ve launched with a 39-piece capsule focused on fun, sporty styles. If it performs well, we’ll expand it.”

The Mayoral team also noted that the change in event dates was a strategic advantage: “The schedule now aligns with Pitti Bimbo,” they said. “We’re primarily targeting international buyers now, as our presence in the domestic market is well established.”

Another newcomer to the Valencia fair was El Pulpo Kids, which used the opportunity to spotlight its Teen line, launched in September 2024. “We’re really happy with the event—everything was well organized and we connected with high-quality buyers from key markets we’re looking to expand into,” said Monica Morán, the brand’s commercial director. On the Teen range, she added: “It’s a recent launch, but the feedback has been great. In addition to our own Teen store, the line is now available in multibrand retailers like El Corte Inglés.”

Morán explained that initially, El Pulpo had only planned to present its children’s line, but Fimi’s team highlighted the strong demand for Teen fashion: “They told us there was a real gap in the market, with limited offerings—and they were right.”

Strong performance from established players

Alongside these new entries, veteran brands such as Rapife, Foque, and Play Up also praised the quality and professionalism of international visitors. Buyers from Japan, Dubai, Italy, Mexico, and Colombia highlighted the distinctive strengths of Spanish kidswear: quality, sustainability, and design.

The quieter, showroom-style layout allowed for focused, productive meetings. “Even if the aisles seemed calm, our exhibitors were hard at work, engaged in meaningful conversations with highly professional buyers,” Gimeno added.

Technology as a core strategy

In addition to its global reach, one of this edition’s standout features was integrating a digital appointment system. This new app-enabled scheduling platform helped brands and buyers plan meetings in advance, optimize their time, and enhance the overall business experience. “The app was a game changer. Buyers arrived with pre-scheduled meetings and a real intent to do business—which made the atmosphere much more professional,” said Gimeno.

An impressive 92% of exhibitors gave positive feedback on the platform, allowing seamless coordination with international buyers and improved time management.

Fimi Kids Fashion Week and growing international footprint

One of the event’s key moments was the Fimi Kids Fashion Week runway show. With the theme “La Playita” (Little Beach), eight brands showcased fresh, sustainable, and casual surfer-inspired collections. Participating brands included Abel&Lula, Canada House, Eve Children, Mayoral, The Boston Kids, Montero&Cabana, Javilar Kids, and Newness.

This summer edition also saw an 8% increase in professional visitors compared to the previous year, attracting buyers from 30 countries—including newcomers like Nicaragua and Senegal. Currently, exports represent 50% of the total revenue of the Spanish children’s fashion industry. While Europe remains the leading market, particularly Italy, Portugal, and the UK, demand is growing in the United States, Mexico, and Asia.

Organized by Feria Valencia and the Spanish Association of Children’s Products (Asepri), with the support of Icex and the Valencian Institute for Business Competitiveness (Ivace), Fimi is already preparing for its next edition, set to take place from January 21 to 23, 2026.

“We’re doubling the space and continuing to boost our international presence. The goal is for Fimi to remain the industry’s essential meeting point,” concluded Alicia Gimeno. The upcoming event—dedicated to kidswear, footwear, childcare products, and toys—will mark Fimi’s 100th edition and its 6th under the Babykid Spain + Fimi partnership.