Source:The Stitch Times
| The Hong Kong Fashion Week, a source of inspiration for Spring/Summer'09 and beyond, swung into action as the VIPs gathered to unveil the business event, which is increasingly seen as most attractive hub of sourcing in this part of the world. The event was heralded on 8 July 2008 by four stylish models parading in the evening gowns while a trio of musicians made mellow music. Vincent Fang, JP, Chairman of the HKTDC Garment Advisory Committee, welcomed the Guest of Honour Mrs. Lynn Tsang, wife of the Financial Secretary of the Government of the HKSAR and other guests including key fashion industry figures from Hong Kong and abroad. |
Welcoming1153 exhibitors from 21 countries and regions and group pavilions from theChinese mainland, India, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia and Taiwan, Fang said, "Thereare designer brands from Hong Kong, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands. Togetherthey make Hong Kong Fashion Week a global sourcing hub in Asia forinternational buyers." He said that while the sluggish US economy hasinevitably affected the industry, Hong Kong garment companies are experienced,resilient and blessed with flexibility of response to changing marketconditions. He also underscored the encouraging growth in exports to emergingmarkets such as Argentina, Czech Republic, Indonesia, Malaysia, Russia andTurkey.
Thepresence of such a large number of exhibitors from so many countries onlycorroborated the statement that Hong Kong Fashion Week is indeed region's mostvital sourcing opportunity. In fact, the future of fashion is illuminated bythe exhibitors' collections, fashion shows, presentations by renowned trendforecasters like Carlin International, Peclers Paris and WGSN and a TrendDisplay. Other highlights of the event included seminars by Australian WoolInnovation Ltd., the Hong Kong Apparel Society and Italian Trade Commission,giving important industry insights.
Inkeeping up with the demand of the business visitors, the fair authorities haveadded a new zone, Fabrics & Yarns Zone, which showcased the fabricsincluding cotton, yarns, embroidery, linen, wool etc. offering a wealth offabric choices. The other zones, introduced by the fair authorities earlier,however, continued to find place in the fair.
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Young Designers at Centrestage
One of the highlights of Hong Kong Fashion Week was the Hong Kong New Fashion Collection Award. This prestigious contest which culminates in a show encourages Hong Kong clothing enterprises to launch their own collections and brands by working closely with design talents from Hong Kong and Chinese mainland.
In its eighth year, the Hong Kong New Fashion Collection Award 2008 offered prizes in two categories i.e. "Casual and Jeans-wear" and "Party & Evening-wear", besides an Overall Winner Award. The entries are adjudged on the criteria of marketability, suitability in the use of fabrics, creativity and workmanship. The winners received trophies as well as the opportunity to participate in World Boutique, Hong Kong. The Overall Winner also takes part in an HKTDC clothing promotion overseas or in the Chinese Mainland. The Overall Winner was Yuka Lam of Bauhaus International (Holdings) Ltd., whose concept "Hollywood Rock" won over the judges. In the Party & Evening-wear category, Winnie Li, Cocoon Bridal Company Ltd. topped the field with her "Glacial Epoch" designs. Law Ka Cho of Zap Production House was the winner in the Casual & Jeans-wear category with concept called, "Fluctuation with Construction".
Rich Pool of Asian Design Talent
In Hall 1, the International Fashion Designers' Showcase was located, where some of Asia's most promising designers showed off their one-of-a-kind creations. The range of merchandise was wide and varied from apparel to accessories and buyers were not only impressed by the creativity on show but also had plenty to choose from. Products on offer included sunglasses, costume jewellery, wallets, bags, shoes, trendy casual and evening wear, leatherwear and furs. Most of the products incorporated distinct materials, construction and design with a creative twist. Others utilized handicrafts skills and featured nature-inspired themes or patterns and motifs featuring wildlife plants.
Diversity in Action
This event was in two parts, comprising a fashion show on day 3 and a lifestyle exhibition throughout the fair period. The fashion show highlighted the talent of 16 young Hong Kong designers. The Lifestyle Exhibition in Hall 1 A showcased the work of 20 graphic designers, painters, photographers and a short film director and sculptors.
Fashion Shows
There were fairly a large number of fashion shows including MA Graduation Fashion Show 2008 of the Institute of Textiles & Clothing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, which proved that the next generation of fashion designers is ready to take on the world. Yet another fashion show was "Future Queen" by She Fashion Lounge, which showed how different materials and different cultural influences can be fused into a modish collection.
Glamour and sophistication at SCARF I and II
The Korean contingent was back in full force, showing ready-to-wear collections from outdoor and casual to elaborate evening wear. SCARF I (Supreme Corea Artist Fashion Show-I) featured collections by eminent designers. The colour palette was light and breezy from pale shimmers to brighter shades. Cream, greys to basic blacks and whites were also dominant colours seen on the catwalk. Prints floral and graphic peppered several collections.
Korean designers showed why they stand out in Asia's fashion scene as four labels sent out a plethora of edgy and glamour looks at the SCARF II fashion presentation.
Fashion Salute to the Olympics
Fashion Fiesta 2008 was a celebration of youthful vitality. Organised by the Hong Kong Apparel Society in association with a number of educational training institutions as well as industry organizations, the show featured contemporary music with live performances, all themed to express enthusiasm for the upcoming Beijing Olympics.
Seminars Galore
Fairly a large number of seminars on most relevant topics were organized in the course of the fair. These included, among others, seminars on various topics like "Peelers Paris's SS 09 Easy-Chic Runway Summary + FW 09-10 Lifestyle Trends with Colours and Materials Inspirations."; "The WGSN Edit Colour + Styling. Future Trends"; "Is 'Made in Italy' a Brand in fashion Retail?"; "Trends in China Fashion Market and Strategies for Development"; "The Success of China's Economic Reform Opportunities and Challenges Ahead for the Textile and Garment Industry"; "Impulses for Winter 2009"; "Ecotextiles: What Brands and Retailers Want and How to Deliver"; and "Innovation Fashion with Merino Wool" were discussed in detail with active participants by the awardees.
Customised Sourcing Services by HKTDC
The hktdc.com is a new customized sourcing service, which connects buyers to suppliers and products with great precision. Precision sourcing is now easy for international buyers. Equipped with a comprehensive database, packed with background information and product details from all exhibitors attending HKTDC trade fairs and all advertisers in HKTDC product magazines. According to Clare Wong, HKTDC Director of Publications and E-Commerce, "Growing day by day, this essential business intelligence is already connecting buyers to more than 100,000 quality suppliers from Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland and around the world." She added, "Linked to a highly efficient search engine, we can provide hktdc.com Customised Sourcing Service so that buyers can find precisely the suppliers and products they need. They will receive a printed list of relevant exhibitors and advertisers, complete booth numbers and product photos. The list also available by email." Wong says, "Apart from buyers, hktdc.com will also help suppliers looking to strengthen their promotional effectiveness. The online market place brings them into contact with genuine buyers and will do so with great precision."
The Buyers
Buying offices, retail chains, importers and distributors from all over the world use HKTDC Hong Kong Fashion Week as a source of quality fashion goods. Among them were 70 buying missions which had been organized by HKTDC. These included missions from South Africa, North & South America, Asia Pacific, Chinese mainland, Europe and the Middle East.
What buyers say?
Says Vicente A. Ritorto, President of the company by the same name at Argentina, "It has been more than two decades since we began buying in Asia and I must say suppliers here now put more emphasis on workmanship and creativity. I come to Hong Kong Fashion Week regularly and this time, I am looking for a factory that manufactures ladies' cotton apparel. This fair is very international and certainly it is a fashion hub which allows me to keep trace of what is up-and-coming in the fashion arena."
Margaria Escalada, Director, Esotrade, S.L., Spain says, "This is our fourth visit to Hong Kong Fashion Week. We have seen the fair improve in terms of size, organisation and quality with each visit and were very impressed. In fact, the size of the fair has grown to an extent that we barely have enough time to see every exhibitor. This fair has become compulsory attendance on our calendar each year. We must come because it provides us with such a good overview of the garment and fashion industry and we have many useful contacts with factories and suppliers, many of whom we are now doing business with."
Lian Jian, Vice General Manager, Shenzhen Modern Friendship Co. Ltd., China said, "This time we are specifically looking for new partners who are interested to retail at our I BP store which is now under renovation and will be re-opened in October. We always come to Hong Kong Fashion Week to source for new brands and it has been very successful."
According to Mohammad Abu Tarboush, Director, Dana Est., Jordan, "What makes Hong Kong Fashion Week so successful for me is the mix of exhibitors. It works for a retailer and wholesaler like me because here you can find different vendors, manufacturers and suppliers from the Chinese mainland and allover Asia under one roof. I attend Fashion Week at least once a year, if not twice and I have been coming to Hong Kong for the last four years. I source for neckties, fabrics and ladies garments and this year, I am also very pleased to find that accessories and evening wear are very strong with the vendors. I believe this fair has become one of the essential events to attend if you are in this business because Hong Kong is now an established sourcing hub for the Fat East."
Lesley Matson, Director, World Fashion Agency, Australia had this to say, "This is our first visit to Hong Kong Fashion Week and I think we have learned a lot. We are particularly impressed with the hospitality services, the lounge that allows us to have meetings and breaks, and the helpful staff, which make it much easier for the first timers like us. As an Australian wholesaler, we rate this fair as a must-attend from now on, it is a great way to see what suppliers and factories can produce now and it is also very inspiring for our kind of business. The contacts we have made here are also extremely useful and we have already placed a couple of orders."
The next Hong Kong Fashion Week will be held from 6-9 July, 2009.
Originally published in "The Stitch Times" August 2008
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