Buyers' Take

The buyers also seemed to be happy, as they could find sourcing easy and effective. Said Ahmad M. Akil, Managing Director, Akil Bros., Lebanon, "I have found many companies with stocks very suitable for my company, including bags and jackets and other garments. Fashion Week has been good for me and I will be back net year. The facilities are very good." Renata Acioli, Import Manager, Marisa, Brazil said, "Marisa is a department store chain at the popular end of the market with 218 outlets across Brazil. I have come here for the first time because it is a good opportunity to find more suppliers from Asia. This fair is organised well and suppliers are well prepared with information and samples. We have made lots of contacts and the experience has been very valuable for us."

Alexey Anokhin, Purchase Manager, Marketing Materials, JTI, Russia said, "This is my first visit-although my main interest is the Summer Sourcing Show for promotional items. I have found it very interesting to visit Fashion Week too. We have several womens brand and at Fashion Week I have found accessories such as bracelets that are very suitable as premium items. As usual with HKTDC, the location and organisation of the fair are very good." Lidia Urdinez, Owner, Portofem, Argentina felt, "We specialise in clothes for large-size women, everything from sporty to elegant. I am keen to find new factories that can make garments for our market in Argentina and in Europe. We can also investigate the market for bigger sizes in Asia. I have already met with factories that will be suitable for our younger range and an Indian supplier of scarves and other accessories, and jewellery suppliers. The organisation of this fair is perfect-staff are very kind and efficient." Anthony Korn, Commercial Director, ECRU, France was of the opinion, "This is my first time at Hong Kong Fashion Week. ECRU already works with companies in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland and I am keen to increase these partnerships. HKTDC has been very helpful- meeting with exhibitors have been set up in advance, for example. I will also take the opportunity to watch some of the fashion shows."

Growing Number and Popularity of Seminars

There were a very large number of seminars, which were highly topical. These could attract heavy attendance both from exhibitors and business visitors. On the very first day, there was a seminar on "WGSN INSPIRATIONS-Global Trends 2010 and Beyond" as also Seminar on "Peclers Paris Lifestyle Fashion Trends for F/W 2010/11". Second day saw the seminars on "Brand-Building Strategies for Garment Manufacturers" as also on "Zoom on Womens wear trends for Winter 2010/11". On third day, there were seminars on "Latest Market Trends of Lifestyle Products in the Chinese Mainland", "Application of Fast Fashion Model in Asia" and "Using Kaizen to improve Lead time" as also on Accessories Trends-F/W 10.

All these seminars not only attracted good attendance, but were also highly appreciated for their professional excellence.

Originally published in The Stitch Times; August 2009