The area IMPULSES is distinguished by high-class design and individuality. It is the designers’ section where among others designers belonging to China ́s top ten in fashion design are showing, just as prominent designers from other nations such as Hong Kong are presenting their new collections. Due to the high demand for shoes and bags in the Chinese market, special attention is paid to these product categories in all segments of the fair including the area of FASHION JOURNEY. Chinese brands are concentrated under the title SHANGHAI BAG Expo at CHIC. Invitation to a journey: over 18 nations and regions, apart from mainland China, are participating at CHIC primarily within the area FASHION JOURNEY. Traditional and large pavilions are organized by Italy titled LA MODA ITALIANA and France with PARIS FOREVER. Italy has been showing at CHIC almost from its beginning; since three years under the cooperation of Sistema Moda Italiana and Assocalzaturifici supported by the Italian Ministry for Economic Development. ITA Italian Trade Agency is promoting the Italian participation. The Italian participation is one of the largest of the international ones at CHIC with important brands for shoes, clothing and accessories for men and women. PARIS FOREVER will be showing a kaleidoscope of French fashion brands from ready-to-wear to accessories, shoes and bags including brands such as LEO & UGO, Manuelle Guibal, Sprung Paris 1931, La Bagagerie, Lener Fabri, Que de Manteaux, Redskins. The pavilion MADE IN GERMANY – within the framework of the foreign trade fair programme of the Federal Ministry of Germany for Economy and Energy – will be organized by Messe Duesseldorf. It will be featuring a product variety from ready-to- wear, fur fashion to bags and shoes. First time exhibitors are “A Cuckoo Moment” with high-end accessories such as bracelets made of precious materials or Leguano with so- called `bare foot shoes’ favouring natural walking. TURKEY participates - as in the past three years - in the area of HERITAGE and shows around 20 brands specialized in leatherwear, furs, shoes and bags. The participation is organized by IDMIB/ITKIB Istanbul. Individual participants are coming from Spain such as XTI (shoes) and José Roca Barcelona (fur fashion), from UK among others Vendula London, Sweedom, Cabin Zero and Smart and Joy (womenswear) and the accessories brands Jianhui London, Melissa McArthur/MMJ, Tina Lilienthal. Vegan designers’ fashion will be presented by Sanikai from Switzerland. Peru, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea are taking part at CHIC with own pavilions as in the past. Canada will be there with the brand JAC and from Thailand the brand Suda will show. SERVICE & INNOVATION Technical progress in the fashion industry will be a topic at CHIC which will be discussed in seminars, but also presented at the fair, e. g. by Regentsoft with its innovative software for multi channel solutions and customer centered service systems. Qishon from Xiamen will display its 3D garment development technology. CHIC is a special partner for its international exhibitors and promotes them prior and during the fair with match-makings and intensive social media promotions via WeChat - the most important advertising tool in the Chinese market. CHIC is also implementing flanking measures like press activities for their exhibitors. Most important media partner is CCTV, the strong Chinese TV station, alongside further TV stations who report daily from CHIC. A total of 500 journalists are expected, mainly from China, but also from Europe, Asia and America. Entertainment along with infotainment is offered by the numerous fashion shows at CHIC, among them 10 CHIC Shows.