UNITED WE STAND
Bridal manufacturers Join Forces to Support Bridal Retailers
As rapidly as COVID-19 has spread across Europe in the past few days and weeks, so has uncertainty and insecurity spread within bridal. “Engaged couples have to cancel their weddings, bridal shops are forced to close their stores, supply chains can get damaged and become unstable and trade fairs are postponed or even cancelled,” states Dick van Zutphen, director and owner of Dutch bridal house Modeca Bridal. “For us, it was about time to take action and to do something. Especially after receiving numerous phone calls from our partners and customers. All concerns and worries floating around in the air, were now in front of us and palpable. There was no question that we had to get things moving. With the initiative ‘United We Stand’ we are sending a clear signal, which isn’t purely addressed to our customers only, but also to all brides, our partners and competitors in the industry as well as to our friends. In critical times you need to be flexible, take responsibilities and tackle things together, because: ‘United We Stand’.”
For van Zutphen it is mainly important that these words are not going to be empty phrases. In order to accommodate the actual needs of retailers as much as possible, the company has adapted certain aspects within the all-over order processing. “Above that, we are always available for our customers by phone, and it is our aim to find a well thought through solution for each aspect that might become an issue in these days,” says the owner and director of Modeca Bridal. “When it comes to managing difficult periods in life – both business and private – it is an advantage if you can rely on someone. And that is exactly the point we are focusing on here at Modeca Bridal. We are doing this within the entire international team and with regards to all those who need our support.”
One person who also understands that this initiative has already been gaining ground within the industry with a positive impact on others, is Helena Kischka. As the Event Director of Bridal Event Amsterdam and Marketing Director of Modeca Bridal, she experiences first-hand how tremendously affected the events industry already is by this actual situation – and surely not in a positive way. “We see colleagues who are working in the entertainment sector, stand builders for trade shows and people in catering as well as partners from model agencies with very pensive faces. Even though there are options to get support and claim financial compensation, from a personal perspective it truly hurts me deeply to see assignments that partners and friends had in their agendas just getting cancelled one by one. In these kinds of situations, it is important to not leave colleagues and fellows alone outside in the rain, because sometimes it already means a lot just to be there. To show somebody that you are making time for that person is a positive sign, which is especially now more needed than ever before. Following this mind set and also for all of us within the Bridal Event Amsterdam team, the words ‘United We Stand’ lead the way.”
Therefore, it is also no huge surprise that other bridal brands have joined this initiative too; so did French design house Herve Paris, the label Libelle and the American brand Randy Fenoli Bridal.
“’United We Stand’ is a beautiful commitment,” says famous designer and fashion stylist Randy Fenoli, well known from the American TLC TV show “Say Yes To The Dress”. “It is wonderful to spread such a message, especially now, when we all are home for the sake of safety for everybody. Making use of social media in these days is so easy whilst staying at home; and sending out such supportive words can have a huge positive impact on people who struggle in these strange times. Let’s spread the love. United We Stand.”
United We Stand | Vereint Sind Wir Stark | Samen Staan We Sterk
W Jedności Siła | Együtt Küzdünk | Insieme Ce La Faremo | Unidos lo conseguiremos
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR PRESS AND MEDIA:
Helena Kischka
Marketing Director Modeca Bridal
www.modeca.com