ITE Moda has added another fashion string to its bow after acquiring 100 per cent of contemporary menswear event Jacket Required.
 
The invitation-only, biannual trade show was launched in August 2011 by menswear agents Mark Batista and Craig Ford and ran its third edition at Victoria House in Bloomsbury from 13 to 14 July.
 
Under the new deal, both founders will stay with Jacket Required to oversee its hand-picked line-up of menswear, footwear and accessories collections. Batista and Ford will also work with ITE Moda on plans to launch the show concept into international markets. Financial details were not disclosed.
 
“The success of Jacket Required so far has already proved it meets the needs of this sector of the menswear industry, but with an established organiser now behind it, we’ll be able to fully realise its potential,” Batista said.
 
“As a fashion industry specialist, ITE Moda understands the concept of the show and the market it serves, and has the organisational infrastructure to support Jack Required’s future growth.”
 
ITE Moda has been building its portfolio of fashion-focused trade shows across the UK in recent years, acquiring boutique exhibition Scoop International in 2011, and kids clothing show Bubble London in 2008.
 
ITE Moda will also launch its first FLIP trade show for the urban, street and action sports lifestyle clothing and footwear industries at The NEC in August.
 
“Given the nature of the branded fashion industry today, where independent retailers in particular are looking for genuinely individual collections which aren’t overly distributed, curated events such as Jacket Required are some of the most interesting on the show calendar,” ITE Moda MD Colette Tebbutt said.
 
“We’re looking forward to working on the show with Mark and Craig, whose longstanding knowledge of the sector will play a key role in the future development of Jacket Required.”
 
The organiser’s flagship show is MODA, which is held every February and August at The NEC.
 
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