Expo Update : Splash Paris… and Sydney!

11 July 2025

With an established show in Paris, the prestigious company is bringing the resort wear tradeshow to Australia with Splash Sydney. Company Director, Claire Spencer Churchill, tells us all about the two events.

Can you give us a sneak peek into what attendees can expect from this year’s Splash Paris?
Visitors will experience a beautifully curated resortwear show in the heart of Paris. With over 110 brands exhibiting and an unprecedented number of applications, we've handpicked the best of the best in the resortwear market for our visiting buyers. Upon arrival, guests will receive our iconic gift bags. While at the show, buyers can enjoy complimentary permanent jewelry fittings from Bara Boheme. They can also visit Barriere for personalized advice and discover vitamin patches tailored to their needs. Indulge in a variety of treats throughout the day, including our talented Barista, an ice cream cart, a dim sum stand, a salad bar, and our daily happy hour. Above all, we invite all buyers to explore the stunning brands on display and discover the finest in resortwear.

You’ve curated an exciting lineup of exhibiting brands, what were you looking for in terms of curation this year?
With over 500 brands applying for just 100 booths each season, we’re truly spoilt for choice. The market is competitive, so we look for brands that are not only beautiful and unique, but also commercially strong, with an organised supply chain, efficient logistics, and impactful marketing campaigns behind them.

You’ve curated an exciting lineup of exhibiting brands, what were you looking for in terms of curation this year?
With over 500 brands applying for just 100 booths each season, we’re truly spoilt for choice. The market is competitive, so we look for brands that are not only beautiful and unique, but also commercially strong, with an organised supply chain, efficient logistics, and impactful marketing campaigns behind them.

Are there any standout or debut brands you’re particularly excited for attendees to discover?
It wouldn’t be fair to name specific brands, but the collections that truly stand out are the ones that bring energy and creativity to their stands. We strongly encourage brands to think beyond the product and make their space pop, a bit like a storefront. It’s all about creating an experience that draws people in.

What kinds of collaborations or partnerships are shaping this year’s event?
This year, we’re excited to be working with a mix of creative collaborators. These partnerships are helping us elevate the look and feel of the event, creating immersive environments that go beyond the traditional trade show setup. We’re also teaming up with key industry voices and media platforms to amplify the reach of our brands with the aim of bringing more buyers than ever to the show.

How do you see the role of Splash evolving in the Paris art and design scene?
We see Splash continuing to carve out a distinct space within the Paris art and design scene not by competing with the big, established fairs, but by offering something more curated, fresh, and accessible. Our focus is on championing talent and brands with strong creative identities, while keeping things intimate and experience-driven. Paris fashion week is incredibile and we want Splash to be a space where exciting ideas and beautiful design come together in a way that feels both inspiring and commercially impactful.

Congratulations on the Sydney launch! What drew you to expand Splash to Australia, and why Sydney?
Australia is home to some of the world’s leading resortwear brands. Ever since attending Fashion Week in Sydney a few years ago, launching there has been on our radar. Up until this season, there was no dedicated trade show, something both brands and buyers had been actively asking for. An ex-colleague who is based there is our partner on the ground and making it all happen. We’re so excited for this first show in May 2025.

What made you decide to start this new venue?
We're always seeking new opportunities to grow our business. After 20 years running Claret Showroom, we know what makes a trade show truly work. We’ve attended many over the years and still do! It’s about keeping the curation focused, making it straightforward for brands to exhibit, and putting in the hard yards on marketing and buyer outreach. Large-scale shows have their place, but that’s not what we’re aiming for.

How does the creative energy in Sydney compare to that of Paris?
The lifestyle in Australia is more laid-back, bohemian, and easygoing, which makes it a perfect match for resortwear, especially for the European and Middle Eastern markets. Australian brands tend to be more relaxed in design, with a greater use of color. And because importing goods can be challenging, homegrown labels face less competition and have more time to evolve within their market. Therefore, by the time they’re keen to export they are truly ready.

Do you see Splash becoming a truly global platform in the years to come, and are more cities on your radar?
Absolutely. Watch this space for 2026…
New for this edition: The Best of Swim magazine is back at the Paris show!