SEC Autumn Trade Fair by Erin
In September, Scotland's Autumn Trade Fair took place at the SEC Centre in Glasgow over a Saturday and Sunday. For sellers, it was the ideal opportunity to showcase new stock and seasonal products and attract new buyers. Likewise, the buyers came to discover new brands and stock up on familiar brands exhibited at the fair. By then, I was over a month into my position as Marketing and Creative PR Assistant at Fiona Matheson Studio. I was excited to attend the event and to meet buyers, fellow sellers, and Fiona for the first time!
I used to attend fairs and days out at the SEC with my mum when I was younger, but the only thing I can remember from these trips is when we watched the Hairy Bikers do a cooking show at the BBC Good Food Show. Now, that is slightly different from the creative trade world that I experienced on the Saturday morning of the Trade Fair — not as much style!
Walking over the Smartie Tube Bridge after getting off the underground at the Exhibition Centre stop, I was slightly nervous. I didn't know what to expect. Did I look professional enough? What does "wholesale" mean? Did I memorise all of Fiona's designs? All trivial questions were going through my mind.
Yet, I was absolutely fine. As soon as I registered and met with Fiona at our stall, I wasn’t nervous anymore, but excited by all the buzz around me. Fiona's setup looked brilliant. Creative Director Barbora had edited together a video of Fiona's creative process, which was playing on a screen. No one else had a television playing a video, which, and I may be biased, put us way ahead of the other sellers.
Fiona's space was packed with products and featured three bespoke designs on stands: Three Beaches, Flaming Reeds and Affric Glow. She optimised the area she was allocated to its capacity without looking overly busy. Canvases, prints, cushions, mugs and cards looked great on display. Scarves hung from driftwood elegantly. Lastly, but by no means least, Fiona was launching the new jewellery collection at the fair. Seeing the cuffs and tall earrings making their debut was so exciting! They were a true highlight of the stall.
While Fiona was chatting with other sellers and interested buyers, I wandered around the hall, looking at the different stalls. Macrame plant hangers, dainty jewellery, resin craft kits, and concrete minimalist homewares were just a few of the products that caught my eye. The quality of goods on display at each stall was very inspiring.
Bearing in mind that Fiona is planning on exhibiting again at the Trade Fair early next year, I took some pointers from the stalls that worked really well. I also had a chat with some lovely sellers. Everyone was truly lovely to talk to. All the sellers together are like a caring collective, creating a well-meaning atmosphere where everyone wants to support each other.
Even though my visit was short but sweet, it was an excellent opportunity to get some insight into the creative trading sector and watch the professionals do what they do best. So be sure to go to the next trade fair in 2023 if you're a buyer, and if you're a seller, don't be afraid to say hi to Fiona and browse all of her timeless luxury products!
