There are a total of 2,525 exhibiting companies, from 61 countries and regions, which include 46 group pavilions. These figures are across both exhibitions: Materials, Manufacturing and Technology and Fashion Access March 2007. Over 50,000 buyers are anticipated to attend events over these three days, from 28 to 30 March.
   
 

Opening Ceremony featuring the premiere presentation of Ika Butoni's collection for Fall/Winter 07-08.

This is the 23rd year of APLF, but by featuring the Fashion Access Runway as the opening event highlighted, this year's fairs are about so much more than leather, materials, footwear, garments, handbags - important though they remain - but are also about colour, texture, design, fashion and trends. It reflects how APLF is now an integral part of the global apparel and fashion industry.

To kick off the events, Ika Butoni has designed a new collection exclusively for Fashion Access Runway. Her collection captures perfectly the trends for Fall/Winter which are also illustrated in the Fashion Trends Lounge. It is believed to be a more fitting opening for the new direction of the two APLF fairs - Materials, Manufacturing and Technology and Fashion Access March.


Materials Trends Lounge displays the best materials sample provided by exhibitors of
APLF - Materials, Manufacturing and Technology, providing visitors the insights of next season's colour and material trends.
   
 


Fashion shows and seminars were wll attended.
   
 
 
Ms. Mary Yan Yan Chan from Style CENTRRAL,
presenting Peclers Paris's Fall/Winter 08/09		   Lifestle inspirations with colours and
materials influences.


Remarks from Exhibitor

BENEDETTO ELEUTERI owner of the Italian shoe company BE.AT has found a way to resolve conflicts between Chinese and Italian shoe makers. His production of lower-priced shoes is now made entirely in China. "The future of the industry lies in greater co-operation between all countries of the world", he says. "My shoes are now made with Italian styling, with the flair and panache of our creative designers, but in factories in China we get the benefit of low production costs. The result is that shoes with Italian style and quality are now available on world markets at much lower prices."

He has established offices in Hong Kong and China to oversee the Chinese operation and he has experienced craftsmen posted in the Chinese factories to maintain quality. "I have no complaint about Chinese workmanship", he said, "It measures up to our standards".

His signature line - Pompili is still made entirely in Italy, in his factory on the Adriatic coast, but he also produces a budget line Bi4, which is made entirely in China. He was exhibiting in Fashion Access for the first time this year to reach Asian markets. He was pleased with the space given to him, and the arrangement and position of the booth. On the first day of Fashion Access he already had a number of enquiries, so things looked good. "Greater world co-operation can solve many of our problems", he said, "And Fairs like this one play an important role in bringing shoe-makers of many countries together."

Philippe Charriol, famous watchmaker, was one of the distinguished visitors on the first day of Fashion Access, visiting his manufacturer friends in Hall 5. Charriol, formerly head of Cartier in Asia, began making his own watches to a revolutionary design after leaving the French company. He soon became successful all over the world and now makes handbags and clothes as well. He spoke glowingly of the value of Fashion Access. "It has become a focal point in Asia for the world leather industry", he said.


Leather Intelligence

Leather in Retail Conference completed in a great success on 27 March 2007 at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Focused on a range of issues high on the retail and tanning agenda, including sourcing in Asia, brand protection, environmental auditing, restricted substances and leather related transportation problems, Leather in Retail Conference was a unique opportunity for Asian sourcing offices to gather valuable knowledge on leather, its use and influential factors.

 
Leather in Retail Conference -
A Chance of Networking		   Attentive to the Conference
 
Dr Victoria Addy,
BLC Leather Technology Centre
The
Best
of
APLF
Awards		  
   
 
   Fashion Access Awards
     
Best Fashion Accessory Best Lifestyle Product Best Travelware
Nadeem Leatherware Exports
INDIA, 2CC02A		 Sapphire Industrial Co Ltd
HONG KONG, 5R16		 Hoi Tin Universal Ltd
HONG KONG, 7CC19
     
Best Leather Garment Best Small Leathergoods Best Bag
Beijing Zhuangzi
Industry Trade Co Ltd
CHINA, 5J01,03		 If Pacific Corporation
TAIWAN, 7N14		 By Dyms S.R.L.
ARGENTINA, 7D02
     
Best Men's Shoe Best Ladies' Shoe  
 
Lianca & Co Ltd
HONG KONG, 7CC09		 Landone Int'l Enterprises Ltd
CHINA, 5D28		  
     
   MMT Awards
     
Special Recognition
for Manufacturing
Technique		 Best Ecological Product Best New Materials
Technology
Presidency Kid Leather Ltd
INDIA, 2J22
 K.H. GROUP
INDIA, 2A22
 Officina Delle Pelli Srl
ITALY, 2D17
     
Best Man-Made Material Best Leather  
 
Lanificio Bigagli Spa
ITALY, 3B02		 Altinok Deri Konfeksiyon
TURKEY, 1L05		  

   General Categories
     
Best Stand Design Special Recognition
for New Design Talent		  
 
Winall Industries Ltd
HONG KONG, 5M01,02		 Unicorn Works
HONG KONG, AVEA03		  


Daily Fashion Show showcasing exhibitors' selection
   
 
 


Fashion Access has the widest range of exhibits from fashion apparel to stationery that illustrates a fashion lifestyle.
   
 


A glance at Fashion Trends Lounge, indicating the product trends of Fall/ Winter 07-08
   
 
24 April, 2006

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