Chit Chat Tuesday: Interview with Chantal Danguillaume, the event director at Playtime & Kid’s Hub.

This Tuesday, we had the opportunity to catch up and chat with Chantal Danguillaume, the Event Director at Playtime & Kid’s Hub.

After an education in fashion marketing, Chantal Danguillaume began her professional career in different positions and companies of all sizes within the textile industry. She worked as a buying assistant, product manager, a buyer, collection director, and even collaborated in the creation of a brand. She specializes in women’s and children’s clothing, swimwear, lingerie, and fashion, with 30 years of experience in the international fashion industry.

Now, Chantal is the Event Director at Playtime & Kid’s Hub, acting as an energetic and enthusiastic leader for the team. Having been an exhibitor at the shows before joining the team in several different roles, her current position as Event Director is informed by the different perspectives she has gained through her experiences. Chantal is passionate about her work, loving the mix of human and professional environments and how international her interactions are. While she enjoys working with brands, designers, buyers, agents, and press offices, Chantal’s first passion is building the brand offer for our trade shows. Discovering the collections, the products, the materials, the know-how… it’s her driving force and the heart of her commitment!

 You have worked in the kids’ fashion industry for a long time. Why kids’ fashion?

It was the market that has made me interested in children’s fashion. The TCN collection was aimed at women in the spirit of a lifestyle brand, so it was natural for me to launch the mini TCN collection, I was simply responding to what our clients and partner stores were waiting for by offering a collection that didn’t exist anywhere else at the time. We were the only beach and swimwear brand to exhibit at Playtime in 2006. One thing led to another, and I was lucky enough to meet Hortensia and Sébastien de Hutten who started me on this beautiful adventure in which I grow every day.

To what do you attribute your success?

My passion and my involvement. I analyze quickly, I observe, I challenge myself, I take risks, and I involve my colleagues and managers in the adventure. Above all, it’s the work of a group of visionary and creative experts!

How do you see the kids’ fashion market in 5 years?

It’s not easy because a lot can happen in 5 years, as the last 2 years have proven. I’m seeing an interesting shift in new brands who continue to offer products that are unique, beautiful, and practical, as well as ethically made, whether that refers to the materials they use or that the people who made them are treated well. It’s increasingly a question of achieving the price range that meets the needs of the final customer. In the European market, I’ve observed a shift towards the American model where Playtime and Kid’s Hub brands coexist. 

Which skills are the most important in the kids’ fashion industry?

Beyond understanding and knowing the different specificities of the children’s, baby and teen markets, the skills are the same as those required for women’s and men’s in terms of business. You have to have patience and the cash flow that goes with it.

What advice can you give to brands participating in a trade show?

Prepare their show well in advance, be present during it, and follow up with contacts after it. 

It’s important to invite buyers, prospective clients, contact agents and members of the press, etc. The show works when there are meetings between buyers and brands, once the actor is in the aisles, it’s up to you to convince them!

Work hard on your images, as they’re the windows into your brand! It’s important to prepare a nice booth to invite visitors to come discover your brand. Making sure your social media and website are updated is essential as well, because buyers will immediately go check this when they discover your brand at the show. 

It’s also important to have your website translated in English, because whether the show is in Paris or New York the buyers come from all over the world!

Using efficient tools like our partner B2B ordering platform, OrderWizz, is a great way to prepare for trade shows, too. Tools like this allow you to set up your own wholesale showroom, making sure your B2B business is ready to turn contacts into orders.

Never hesitate to call us so that we can advise you according to your needs and experience. I strongly recommend making the most of the tools and opportunities for visibility that trade shows can offer you. Don’t pass up on these precious opportunities, even if you don’t see the results immediately. 

Above all, show that you are different!! Your brand is fresh!! It’s accessible!!

What advice would you give to anyone who would like to pursue a career in kids’ fashion?

Aside from having creative and entrepreneurial talent, I think that you have to start small and grow step by step. It’s a very rich and exciting niche market. You must know how to create the brand, to make it grow and evolve, because brands grow with their creator, as well as with generations of parents. You have to prepare to cross generations while maintaining your identity!!! 

Who is your fashion icon, past or present?

Jean Paul Gaultier.

What inspires you?

People, reading, films, the French author Molière! Sensing how society is transforming. Everything touches me, I am extremely sensitive to all forms of aesthetics such as nature, food, architecture, art, living things!

What are your favorite cultural magazines/publications? How about podcasts?

My favorite is Playtime Magazine! However, I read all the kids magazines, and I follow as many social media accounts as I can. From a more personal point of view, I listen to products and read a lot of books on neuroscience, psychology, and sociology. 

What is your favorite place in the world?

Siting with my feet in the sand looking out at the sea. 

What are main differences between regional market, Playtime have presence in Europe, US and Asia. 

The way boutiques build the offer in their stores isn’t the same, neither is the way of approaching the markets. The customs and habits are also different when it comes to dressing children. Certain markets are excellent for certain brands and not for others. Other brands blend in everywhere. 

What can we expect this season at Playtime Paris?

A magnificent edition, the perfect wardrobe chosen for all the buyers around the world who pay close attention to what they choose and buy.

www.iloveplaytime.com

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