Union Showroom and Europe Tour (Part 2 of 2)

The three-day Union Showroom event in Berlin, Germany, was over before we knew it, and proved to be a great success for Y’2 Leather. We were now ready to head to the next destination on our tour of Europe. And so, we bring you the second half of our report. Please join us until the end! For the first part, see Union Showroom and Europe Tour (Part 1 of 2).

Destination: Düsseldorf, to a shop fostering brands with soul

The Showroom was a whirlwind of a time. On the final day, it closed early to leave time for packing up. The clock pointed to 3 pm, but we needed to catch the 4 o’clock DB train. We barely made it in time, almost literally hopping on the train, and the Y'2 team was on its way to Düsseldorf. It's a roughly five-hour ride from Berlin, giving us plenty of time to enjoy some food and drinks in the dining car. After the non-stop action at the Showroom, we were finally able to raise a toast and say “Kanpai!”

We arrived at Düsseldorf Central Station at 11 pm. The next morning, the Y'2 team headed to a shop called “stuf | f-fine goods”. stuf | f is a select shop that curates only the finest brands and products, focusing on “brands with soul.” Exhibiting our products at the Union Showroom was not our only goal on this European tour; visiting our long-time German dealers in person was another key mission.

stuf | f spread the word about the qualities of Y'2 to American-casual lovers and clothing enthusiasts in Düsseldorf back when we were still relatively unknown in Europe, laying the groundwork for our European fanbase. They are invaluable partners, and it's thanks to their efforts that we successfully expanded our network of shops through the exhibition. Expressing our gratitude was our main reason for visiting them: that no matter how much the market grows, our deep bond will never change. Our two hour visit was short but fulfilling, and it was with heavy hearts that we got in a taxi to the airport, and made our way to Paris.

Scouting a large-scale trade show in Paris, the Fashion Capital

Paris brings together all kinds of brands and launches their renown around the world, well deserving of its title as the “Fashion Capital.” A highlight in this regard is the “Welcome Edition” exhibition held during fashion week, which we attended as observers. This global scale event, held consecutively in Paris and New York, boasts a vast roster of participating brands.

We felt the warm air permeate the venue as we stepped through the entrance, despite the January cold. It was like a bustling market, with each floor full of dealers and buyers in action. Here, though, with no space for chairs and constant commotion, we confirmed that Union Showroom, with a relaxed atmosphere allowing for in-depth discussions, was a better match for us.

And that marked the end of the Y’2 European tour. For our last day, we gave ourselves a free day to spend as we liked. After a long stretch of intense encounters and important decisions, I used my time to visit the Louvre, spending about 4 or 5 hours there, and wandered freely around the streets of Paris. By the end of the day my battery was fully recharged.

Our first full-fledged tour of Europe was over in a flash. Since returning, we have been putting our all into our craftsmanship with renewed focus, to deliver high quality products to our fans all over the world. We had so much to share that the second half of this report has also gotten quite long, but we thank you for reading all the way to the end!