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.

Asian and European leather goods brands won best awards at FASHION ACCESS September trade fair

Exhibitors at the FASHION ACCESS international trade fair have been recognised for their excellent product designs by winning four Best of APLF Awards (BOAA) at the FASHION ACCESS September 25-27 2014 trade fair.

The BOAA winners are:

Best Small Leathergoods - Saturday Morning and Night, Korea

The award was presented to Saturday Morning and Night for its new vision for small leathergoods, with its sleek lines, smart use of futuristic materials, and "the perfect combination of practicality and fancy", said the judges.

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

Deshi Shoes won the award for its line of men’s shoes that bore a interesting mix of classic, urban and sporty elements. Tasteful touches of colour, be it in the linings, laces or soles, give the collection its own image and personality.

Best Bags - Antony Group Srl, Italy

Antony Group was given the award for its python bags, under its Silvano Biagini brand, that presented a new view of luxury, mixing simple silhouettes with original components and artfully coloured skins. Judges said the line was both classic yet youthful with a fresh appeal.

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

This award is for the company’s complete range of women’s shoes, offering sporty to sophisticated styles.  Judges found their vast collection has a modern feminine spirit, with clean lines, with striking accents and first-class materials.

According to UBM Asia's event director Perrine Ardouin, FASHION ACCESS is "a must-attend" international fashion fair for head-to-toe fashion, featuring high quality leather products such as bags, footwear, small leather goods, fashion accessories, travel wares and leather garments.  It is held twice a year and has been successfully run in Hong Kong for more than 30 years. 

The next FASHION ACCESS event will take place March 30th to April 1st at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.  

Cashmere World Forum in Hong Kong in Sept. Early bird registration offer ending on Aug. 5th

Perrine Ardouin, Event Director of Cashmere World is inviting you to attend the Cashmere World Forum to be held in Hong Kong from 25 - 26 September 2014 

where you will be able to: 

- Network with key professionals of the Fashion industry

- Learn about the latest developments in the Cashmere and Fine Fibres industry

- Discuss the key issues facing your business in terms of sourcing, branding and marketing cashmere

- Hear opinions about how the high price of cashmere may affect quality and prices

Registration online is now live and the early bird offer is ending on September 5th.

For the 3rd consecutive year in Hong Kong, this Forum has brought together industry leaders and experts to exchange ideas on the challenges facing the cashmere industry and its supply chain. Remember that the Cashmere World Forum is a unique event as it is the only one dedicated to this exclusive sector which is an important element in the broader luxury industry.

In this edition, key topics will include:

- Branding of cashmere

- Sustainability and Environmental issues

- Latest technologies

- Exploring producing markets

- Retailing Cashmere: designing a cashmere collection, the example of DKNY

- Trends forecasts by fashion textile expert from Italy

- For the first time this year the Cashmere World Forum opens its scope to include other fine fibres and we will learn how the Mohair industry established their Mohair Mark.

Renowned experts from Australia, Afghanistan, China, Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, South Africa, UK and the US will present their latest market, technology and trends updates.  To name a few:-

- Karl Spilhaus, President of Cashmere and Camel Hair Manufacturers Institute (CCMI), USA

- Dr. Bruce McGregor, Senior Research Fellow - Fibre Science and Technology , Australian Centre for Future Fibre Research Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Australia

- Carol Kerven, Founder and Director of the UK-based Odessa Centre, UK

- Abdul Basir Hotak, President of Herati Cashmere & Skin Processing Plant (HCS) based in Herat Province, Afghanistan

- Ornella Bignami, Creative Director of Elementi Moda, Italy

- Paula Cheng, Fashion Designer based in New York

An Advisory Committee has been established with members from diverse backgrounds including scientists, anthropologists, breeders, buyers, traders and fashion designers. Their experience and knowledge represent an unprecedented wealth of expertise that should benefit the whole trade.

Perrine Ardouin, Event Director of Cashmere World says: “We also wish to emphasise that the early bird offer is ending on 5 Sept.  Interested parties can register online and reserve their seats today.  As the Forum will be held alongside the Cashmere World  and Fashion Access trade fairs, attendees will be able to view fashion accessories, garment products and design trends all under one roof.”

For the full programme and speakers, please click the icons below.   

FASHION ACCESS and CASHMERE WORLD are open for Registration.

FASHION ACCESS – the international must-see fair for fashion buyers - which will take place September 25 - 27 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre is now open for registration.

To register, click HERE to go to the FASHION ACCESS website.

To be held concurrently will be CASHMERE WORLD - the only trade event dedicated to cashmere and luxury fine fibres – as well as  the Cashmere World Forum with a line-up of international experts to share their industry insights.

To register, go to the CashmereWorld website.