Country pavilion exhibitor numbers rise at Fashion Access

There were 298 exhibitors covering a total of 11,090 square meters of exhibition space. Three country pavilions that showed a big hike in exhibitor numbers were the Philippines with 28 compared to 11 in September 2012, Indonesia with 29 as against last year’s 13, and India with 29 compared to the previous 17. 

Their increased participation stemmed from the active involvement of their respective export promotions agencies: the Centre for International Trade Expositions & Missions (CITEM) of the Philippines, the Directorate General for National Export Development (DGNED) of Indonesia, and the Council for Leather Exports (CLE) of India.

In terms of visitors, there was a 4.77% decrease from September 2012. The international scope of the fair did see an increase, with 54 nations represented compared to 41 in 2012.

Typhoon Unagi’s onslaught had a critical effect on visitor numbers as many buyers’ trips to Hong Kong were disrupted. Nonetheless, Fashion Access managed to make a fair showing with both exhibitors and buyers equally bullish about their business prospects.

P. Classique Trading Co Ltd of Hong Kong noted, “The quality of buyers here in Fashion Access is good. We were satisfied with the outcome.”

Bag designer Rachel Levy-Gross of Rachel GE of Paris is one of 108 new exhibitors at the show. She was pleased with her experience at Fashion Access: “I think it’s interesting. The customers are of a high level. The energy is good here.”

Visitors had similarly positive feedback on the fair. Owner of Rachana Reddy, India said, “I am able to keep up with the latest trends each time I am in Fashion Access. I see many new ideas from various suppliers from all over the world.”

Southeast Asian markets like Indonesia and the Philippines have become increasingly strong in the past years with their growing base of high-end fashion consumers. Fashion Access has seen a marked rise in visitors from the region in the past couple of years.

Lianne Tjan of Berrybenka, a leading online fashion store in Indonesia said, “Fashion Access provides a variety of suppliers who are quite good! Compared with other trade fairs, there are more suppliers from China with affordable products. This fair is getting better and better.”

Sharing the same sentiments about Fashion Access is Vanessa Angelica B. de la Cruz of major Philippine buying office MFG Manille: “I am able to find many potential suppliers with competitive pricing. There are plenty of new designs and the fair itself is well-organised. With its diversity of suppliers, I still regard it as one of the best places to do business.”

The Fall-Winter 2014-2015 edition ofFashion Access runs from 31 March – 2 April next year at the same venue in Hong Kong.

Fashion Access