Interstoff connects dots for Intl buyers and exhibitors

23 Oct '12

6 min read

A special Research and Education Zone was also set up to educate visitors and industry leaders on environmental impacts throughout the textile supply chain with contributions, including the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparels (HKRITA), China Water Risk, Greenpeace, Reset Carbon and Redress.

Roy Man, the representative from HKRITA praised the arrangement of the specially designed zone. “It is great to have a designated display zone to promote HKRITA. The open area is more eye-catching, inviting, attractive and well decorated. Visitors are more readily to come into the area to touch and feel the fabrics, as well as ask questions and pick up leaflets, generating more interest and achieving the educational purpose.”

For the first time, Messe Frankfurt collaborated with Textile Exchange and Ecotextile News, both highly regarded sustainable textile institutions, in organising the Sustainable Textiles Conference. Held concurrently with the fair, the conference brought together international buyers and professionals to Hong Kong, who gave positive feedback on having the conference and the fair take place at the same time.

“Excellent arrangement, no doubt,“ said Annie Ip, Fabrics & Trim Development Manager of Quiksilver Asia Sourcing Ltd., who participated in both the conference and the fair. “This is the first time that the conference is happening in the Far East. It can definitely attract more international professionals to Interstoff Asia Essential. I hope that this collaboration will continue in the future.”

Conference audiences from abroad were eager to find out what the Asian fair could offer and agreed that the collaboration created strong synergies with the fair. Susanna Perez, Director of Marketing South Europe of Lenzing, who travelled all the way from Spain, commented: “The conference created an opportunity for the growth of ideas with the industry’s professionals. It’s an ideal networking occasion, so it’s definitely a good idea to have both events together. The exchange brings key brands and retailers, who will also visit the fair.”

Representatives of major fashion labels and high-street retailers visiting the fair included Abercrombie & Fitch, adidas, American Eagle Outfitters, Banana Blue, Benetton, Bershka, Burberry, Coach, Columbia Sportswear, Donna Karan, Giorgio Armani, H&M, K-Boxing Men's wear, New Balance, Nike, Puma, Quiksilver, Ralph Lauren, Stella McCartney, The North Face and Victoria's Secret.

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