FASHION ACCESS reports an enthusiastic September show

The three-day Hong Kong trade fair – FASHION ACCESS – came to a satisfactory conclusion on September 27, with industry visitors and exhibitors alike acknowledging its importance for their business, while the organisers say Hong Kong remains the centre of Asia’s thriving fashion scene.

The fair - held bi-annually at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre - was attended by a host of trade buyers from 58 countries and regions, with the top 10 representing countries from Hong Kong, China, Japan, USA, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Russian Federation, Italy and Singapore.  

International buyers were impressed with the wide variety of products on show, billing it a must-attend event.

Maria Yue of Winway Fashion in Hong Kong said: “There’s a larger variety of products available at Fashion Access than in other exhibitions, which makes sourcing much easier.”
Piraya Wattanopas of Sretsis Co. Ltd in Thailand noted: “This is my fourth visit at Fashion Access. I found bags of good quality and suitable accessories for the line of clothes I designed.”

Covering a wide range of accessories for head-to-toe fashion the main exhibition focus was on bags (51%) as well as footwear (23%).  The fair was divided into two main areas for buyers’ convenience. One floor was for companies that offered contract manufacturing services that came from mainly Asian countries, while the other area of the event, Fashion Avenue, was dedicated to independent international brands from 13 countries providing buyers of high-end department stores, online stores, boutiques and specialty shops with trendy and up-market fashion items.

In this edition, the fair featured over 200 companies from 21 countries and regions, with over 70 newcomers from Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.  There were participation of 9 group pavilions bringing in new names from China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Korea.

Mr. Howell Williams of Manzoni, Australia, a first-time exhibitor was satisfied with his first experience at Fashion Access and expressed plans to return for the next edition: “Consistent flow of visitors and a good mix of buyers from Hong Kong and China.  I received more than 30 enquiries on the first day morning and 2 confirmed orders from Japan!”

Jean-Marie Parthenay of Kaloes Raffia Bags in Madagascar was also pleased with his first participation: “I met many quality buyers and am very satisfied with the results. Fashion Access is the best fair to promote my brand and show my products in Asia.”

Perrine Ardouin, event director at UBM Asia said Fashion Access continues to maintain its long-standing 30-year+ presence in Asia’s most favoured city - Hong Kong.  She cited Hong Kong’s status as a free port as one of its unique attributions. 

“There are no exchange controls to hinder international business transactions; that is why it (Hong Kong) is still Asia’s commercial hub for western businesses and to top all these advantages, it remains the centre of Asia’s thriving fashion scene," said Ardouin.

The event organisers also named four participating companies recipients of the “Best of APLF Awards,” in recognition for their excellent product designs excellence through the Best of APLF Awards (BOAA).  The winners were:

Best Small Leathergoods - Saturday Morning and Night, Korea

Best Men's Footwear - Deshi Shoes Company Limited, China

Best Bags - Antony Group Srl, Italy

Best Footwear Collection - Guangzhou City Quangsheng Shoes Company Limited, China

The next edition of Fashion Access – for Autumn-Winter 2015-2016  -will be held from 30 March - 1 April 2015 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong.
For more information, please visit fashionaccess.aplf.com.