Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

Wearing a black dress with Andean designs, Peru's Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Mercedes Araoz, kicked off Peru's most important trade show, Peru Moda.

Peru Moda, which has generated over $100 million in the past two years, was inaugurated on Wednesday evening at Jockey Plaza Convention Center, which is next to the upscale Lima mall.

Once on the runway, an excited Araoz welcomed national and international designers to the event and explained that the trade show would consist of several events in which three fashion shows had been included.

The first fashion show, "Alpaca Peru", is to display work done in fine alpaca fiber, while the other two shows; "Jóvenes Creadores al Mundo 2007 – 2008" and "Colombiamoda - Leonisa" will introduce young designers and lingerie.

It is expected that 2,500 professionals and 500 representatives from the fashion industry's most important companies will be present at Peru Moda 2008.

The trade show is to take place until April 25 and will include exhibitions as well as several other activities which over 350 Peruvian companies have prepared for the event.

Representatives from the U.S., Canada, Germany, Belgium, Australia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Denmark, Spain, France, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Venezuela, Panama, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Russia, the U.K. and Switzerland among others are to be present.