Star Performer in the Fashion Stakes
The largest fashion event in Asia celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2009 – proof that HKTDC Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter is an effective trading platform that year after year brings exhibitors and buyers together to achieve business success.
Time Sensitive
Fashion is a dynamic industry: trends come and go, product life cycles get shorter, technological developments result in new fabrics and yarns. The Fall/Winter 2009 edition keeps its finger on the pulse, enabling buyers to source products that will be well received in the market.
Global Reach
Reflecting the global nature of the industry, participation in the fair is also very international. In 2008, 1,490 exhibitors from 20 countries and regions took part. A total of 23,700 buyers from 100 countries and regions came through the doors over the four days of the show.
Sourcing Hub
Hong Kong is a global fashion sourcing hub, which exports a wide variety of clothing and clothing accessories to markets around the world. In 2007, exports were valued at US$28.77 billion; while the US remains the biggest market with a share of around 37%, among markets performing significantly well are the Russian Federation and several countries in Southeast Asia, while the EU continues to show healthy growth.
In the Zone
Good organisation is another factor in Fashion Week's good record. Themed zones highlight key sectors, ensuring buyers can locate their market niche with ease. A new zone has been created at the Spring/Summer edition in 2008 covering Fabrics & Yarn, featuring a wide range of products including cotton, embroidery, linen and wool, plus yarns. It joins the zones introduced in 2007 and well received by buyers, namely Emporium de Mode, which puts the spotlight on top-notch high fashion; Spice Arena, which presents a dazzling array of hats, shoes, scarves and handbags, and Infant & Children's wear.
Also featured are the well-established zones of Garment & Accessories Mart, Body & Intimate Wear, Bridal & Evening Wear, Fashion Gallery and Sewing Supplies.
Brand Conscious
Running concurrently with Hong Kong Fashion Week is HKTDC World Boutique, Hong Kong 2009, Asia's pioneer show promoting designers' collections and brands from around the world.
At Your Service
Fashion Week also prides itself on providing a range of facilities and services to enhance the fair experience. VIP buyers can avail themselves of the Dragon Lounge, where they can relax with complimentary light refreshments, check emails, read newspapers and business magazines, as well as hold meetings in private rooms. All fair-goers have access to the Business Centre, well-equipped to deal with a range of services including on-the-spot name card printing, document scanning, photocopying, and the sale of stationery.
Buyers’ Comments
"We have brought in a delegation comprising managers from 10 mainland department stores of Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Tianjin, Dalian and Qingdao who are all interested to source new brands for their stores. Some of them have already spotted some companies offering young ladies' wear, handbags, fashion watches and accessories. We really appreciate that HKTDC organised a round-table meeting to introduce us to prospective brand-name suppliers and also offered us the Business Matching Service. With the mainland market now open to overseas products, the fair is not only a useful sourcing hub for us, but also a platform where we learn from our international counterparts as well as build up our contacts and network."
Fan Yanru, Vice Secretary General,
China Commerce Association For General Merchandise,
Chinese mainland
"I have been to the fair before and this time I'm coming with owners of 10 other Japanese companies who have never been here. They are all very impressed by the size of the fair and the variety of products on display. This event has become much better, with exhibitors showcasing individual and original designs. We like trade shows with both big and small companies because very often it is those small ones which offer unique creations – these are what we want to explore."
Hitoshi Tajima, CEO,
D N A Co Ltd, Japan
"We are always interested in new things, especially items that are fashionable and well-made. This is the only fair that we attend and about 20% of our total orders for the year will come from this fair."
Sylvania Espelt, Designer,
Espelt, Spain
"We have 150 shops in Australia so we are always looking for new suppliers and new styles, colours and designs. We have been coming to Hong Kong Fashion Week since its inception, looking not only for clothing, but also for shop fittings, lights and display units. You can't afford not to come to this fair because if there were something new, you would miss it. It's the most important fair for us."
Hans Mueller, Managing Director,
Lowes, Australia
Act Now!
Ensure you make the most of the sourcing and networking opportunities offered by Fashion Week by marking it on your agenda now! The show runs from 12-15 January 2009.
