International fashion buyers trip 2026

As part of its international initiative to support the fashion sector, MAD Brussels is launching an open call for Brussels-based fashion brands wishing to take part in the next edition of International Fashion Buyers. Co-organised by MAD Brussels and Flanders District of Creativity, International Fashion Buyers is a professional program dedicated to the commercial promotion and internationalisation of Belgian brands.

Following a successful first edition in 2025, which brought together influential international buyers such as ANTONIA (Milan), NITTY GRITTY (Stockholm), BROWNS (London), Galeries Lafayette, Printemps and La Samaritaine (Paris), as well as Margreeth Olsthoorn (Netherlands), the program demonstrated its ability to generate concrete business opportunities for participating brands. Building on this success, the initiative is part of an international outreach strategy aimed at strengthening Belgian brands’ access to European distribution and prescriber networks.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL FASHION BUYERS TRIP 2026

The 2026 edition will take place in Brussels on June  3rd and 4th, welcoming a selection of international fashion buyers invited to discover the local scene through immersive visits to the ateliers, studios, and showrooms of Brussels-based brands, encouraging direct exchanges with designers. Structured around professional meetings and knowledge-sharing, the program fosters targeted B2B connections and creates the conditions for concrete commercial collaborations (orders, listings, and showroom follow-ups), while positioning Brussels as a leading creative and fashion hub.

The Buyers Trip will then continue in Antwerp within the frame of Antwerp Fashion Festival, with a cultural itinerary including visits to institutions and installations throughout the city, helping to build long-lasting relationships between international buyers and the Belgian fashion ecosystem.
 

WHO IS THIS CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR?

As part of this project, MAD Brussels is launching a call for applications open to Brussels-based fashion brands active in the following fields:

• Ready-to-wear (high-end, contemporary, designer-driven, street tailoring, couture);
• Accessories;
• Jewelry and designer jewelry.

This call is open to brands whose registered headquarters are established in Brussels. Selected brands will host international buyers in their ateliers, studios, or showrooms during the visits organised in Brussels.

Selection process 

Candidate brands must demonstrate creative and commercial maturity, an already well-established presence in their local market, as well as strong potential for international growth. Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Creative quality and strong brand identity;
• Clear and coherent market positioning;
• Commercial maturity and production capacity;
• International development potential;
• Strategic interest in long-term B2B relationships;
• Brand coherence with the overall selection of brands*.

* Non-selection does not call into question the quality of the project, but may be linked to the curatorial and strategic coherence of the overall selection.
 

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection of participating brands will take place in two phases, under the supervision of a jury composed of fashion industry professionals and representatives of partner organisations.

Phase 1 – Application & Pre-selection
Applicants are invited to submit an application file in English, French, or Dutch via the following form before Sunday, March 29, 2026 (11:59 p.m.), including:

• Brand presentation (portfolio & commercial references);
• Presentation of the collection and brand positioning;
• Statement of intent outlining the motivation to participate in the Buyers Trip and the targeted B2B objectives.

The jury will carry out a pre-selection based on the submitted applications. At the end of this phase, a selection of brands will be retained for Phase 2.

Phase 2 – Atelier/Showroom Visits & Pitch
Pre-selected brands will be invited to host the jury members for a mandatory visit to their atelier, studio, or showroom on Friday morning, April 30.

• During this phase, the jury will evaluate applicants based on:
• The quality of the collections and craftsmanship;
• Production capacity and commercial structuring;
• Consistency between the brand universe and its narrative;
• The brand pitch, including the international development strategy and B2B commercial approach.

At the end of this second phase, the jury will proceed with the final selection of brands participating in the International Fashion Buyers program.
 

MEET THE JURY

The jury will be composed of:

• Anaïs Sandra Carion – CEO, MAD Brussels
• Clara Goblet – Business events & communication, MAD Brussels
• Elke Timmerman - International & business relations manager, Flanders District of Creativity
• Eva Koninckx - Fashion Coordinator, Flanders District of Creativity
• Kevin Borrey de Coninck – Founder & owner, Thirteentwelve
   

AGENDA

Provisional timeline

• Launch of the call for applications: 16/02/2026
• Application deadline: 29/03/2026
• Jury 1 – Selection based on applications: 01/04/2026
• Announcement of pre-selected brands: 03/04/2026
• Jury 2 – Mandatory atelier/showroom visits and brand pitches: 30/04/2026 (morning)
• Announcement of the final selection: 30/04/2026

International Fashion Buyers Program

• Buyers Trip – Atelier & showroom visits in Brussels:
  June 3, 2026 (am–pm) & June 4, 2026 (am)
• Buyers Trip – Visits to installations & institutions in Antwerp:
  June 4, 2026 (pm) & June 5, 2026 (am)

ANY QUESTIONS?

For any questions regarding this open call, please contact Clara Goblet directly at the following address: clara.goblet@mad.brussels