APLF - Fashion Hub for Accessories, Materials and Components

The APLF Materials, Manufacturing and Technology (MMT) exhibition, held concurrently alongside Fashion Access and Prime Source Forum, is the industry's largest multidisciplinary event on a worldwide scale.

In its 23rd exhibition, the event held from March 28 - 30, 2007 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, concluded on a positive note, in terms of visitor numbers and exhibitor participation (1618 exhibitors, from 53 countries and regions).

The fair's success is attributed to the commitment of the organisers, APLF, in research and development and being constantly "ahead of the curve" in fashion trends and concepts. Our responsiveness to the industry's ever-changing needs is symbolised by our brand new APLF MMT logo. The striking design and bold colours ushered in exciting new elements to the flagship show. In partnership with world-renowned fashion icon Ika Butoni, a debut collection exclusively created for the 3-day show was premiered at the Opening Launch. Commenting on the event's strategic new look, Michael Duck, Managing Director of APLF Ltd, said, "In today's world, fashion trends guide the entire industry."

"Tanners need to know about current trends in advance in order to be able to propose the right products and remain competitive on global markets. The whole technology chain upstream in the production process needs to be ready to adapt to new demands, even providing new inputs of their own. Similarly, the fair must evolve to respond as best as possible to these demands," Michael Duck said. The calendar of events held during the three days of the exhibition was action-packed with seminars on technology issues and trend previews; fashion shows and the APLF Awards Competition. In addition, the evening of the APLF Awards Ceremony also marked the conclusion of the first international "Design A Bag Competition": an initiative for up-and-coming designers and students.

Fashion and design inaugurate APLF Michael Duck officiates at the Opening Ceremony and launches Ika Butoni's all-new collection for Fall/Winter on the Fashion Access Runway.

The World - as seen from APLF

Exhibitors

Semi-finished Leather / Finished Leather

Tanning Machinery Chemicals Components and Accessories Synthetic / Natural Materials Man-made Leather Buyers Ascot - Italy Nice & Rich Creation - Thailand Ampel - India Jones & Vining - USA         Alfa Fur - Turkey Studio Leather International - Italy Befol - Italy American Supply - Spain         Eurofur - Italy Chek Hong - Singapore Gunduz Kurk Sanayi - Turky Charles F. Stead - UK         Rehman Brother & Co - Pakistan Long Tai Hong - Hong Kong Java Rino - Indonesia Quesia - Italy         Remy Cariat - France Tessiltoschi - Italy Jumbo - Italy Shun Hing Metal - China         Timbrados Rubio - Spain MGZ Chains - Italy Dah Hwa - Hong Kong Ferrero - Italy         M.C. Clols Spain Pt. Yakita Mulia - Indonesia Tauheed - Pakistan Curtume Kern-Mattes - Brazil         Cauchos Karey - Spain Cauchos Karey - Spain Firoz & Co - Pakistan Colomer y Munmany - Spain         Parera - Spain DOC - Hong Kong Falco Pellami - Italy Bigagli - Italy               Leather Worldwide Lewo Impex - India

The Best of APLF Awards at Fashion Access Party

Hip Hop dancers		Everyone enjoying the Party		First-time exhibitor, Lanificio Bigagli, receiving the Best of APLF Award

Famous artiste, Astrid Chan, was the MC of the Party

The awards ceremony for the "best" presentations at APLF-MMT and Fashion Access was held on the evening of 29th March 2007 at Tribeca, the renowned nightclub in Wanchai (Hong Kong). These prizes are a symbol of excellence in the design, quality and innovation of finished products and materials. Winners, nominees and past winners could be easily recognised by buyers thanks to the eye-catching "Award" icons in their stands.

Zackria Sait, M.D. of Presidency Kid, presenting trophy to BSLT & APLF Fashion Award winner, Catherine Nevil

The success of the Best of APLF Awards highlights the latent buyers for a means of flagging up 'The Best' exhibitors from hundreds of others: and for exhibitors it conveys deserved recognition from their peers. Since 2006, APLF has connects one of the award winners, the Indian company Presidency Kid with the British School of Leather Technology (BSLT) in Northampton to organise a competition for their fashion students. The winner is invited to attend the fair.

From left to right: Penny Mclvor of Associated Clothing (garment manufacturer), Mary Yan Yan Chan of Peclers Paris StyleCENTRAL Ltd (co-organiser), Michael Duck pf APLF Ltd (organiser), Mrs Duck, Ika Butoni (fashion designer)

Paul Charron, left, Chairman Emeritus of Liz Claiborne Inc, presenting prize to the Best of Overall Winner

Awards ceremony for "Design A Bag Competition 2007"

1
2
3

The winners of "design A Bag Competition 2007", the first international online bag design competition were announced at the Fashion Access Party organised by Fashion Access in collaboration with StyleCENTRAL Ltd. This event inaugurates a series of competitions for fashion accessories, aiming at providing an international platform for up-and-coming designers and students, and placing them in direct contact with the world of fashion. Perrine Ardouin, Senior Event

Manager of APLF Ltd, asserted, "Hong Kong plays a crucial role in the design, production, marketing and merchandising of fashion brands and major multinational firms. It is of fundamental importance to encourage young designers from all over the world to use this city as a strategic platform for design and fashion in Asia." Over 250 candidates form 20 countries were evaluated by an international jury composed of fashion industry operators. The prizes were sponsored by Amethyst Handbag Library¹, Limonta Spa², Peclers Paris StyleCENTRAL Ltd, and Wing Yip Metal Accessories manufacturing Co Ltd³. The winners for each category were as follows:

Best of Overall Design Winner Wong Po Ming, Johnny Hong Kong Polytechnic University - School of Design Hong Kong
1. Fit Category - Sports and ergonomic carry-all
	Students Group TaeHee Kang - ESAM - Korea		Designers Group Cheng Pui Wai, Hut - Lafuma HK - Hong Kong
2. Slick Category - Smart casual bag for urban lifestyles
	Students Group Valerie Ducoulombier and Benjamin Lecanuet - ESAM - France		Designers Group Kan Sze Nga Kazia - C & R International (Holdings) Ltd - Hong Kong
3. Party Category - Evening bag for fun and special occasions
	Students Group Wong Po Ming, Johnny - Hong Kong Polytechnic School of Design - Hong Kong		Designers Group Lai Tak Wai, Elio - Designer - Hong Kong

Ika Butoni inaugurates Hong Kong exhibitions
Creativity and materials, a perfect combination

APLF-MMT and Fashion Access have sought to emphasize the importance of design and fashion this year by collaborating with designer Ika Butoni, who, created an exclusive fall/winter 2007-08 collection for the APLF opening event. Ika is an internationally acclaimed designer, renowned for her unparalleled commitment in the use of materials. "For me, fashion is a passion, and in order to create it, research in materials is essential. The first step is to attend industry trade fairs, so as to absorb creative inputs," asserts Ika Butoni, "Then, after selecting materials, I decide what direction to embark on for a future collection. Many times, I reinterpret the fabrics and leathers I've chosen, not just to seek out an exclusive look for my apparel, but above all in order to make use of the skilled labour force in my country of origin, Indonesia." Ika consistently draws inspiration from Indonesian art and culture, projecting it on the global scene. Thanks to collections which are currently successfully sold in 35 international markets: the most important being in America, France, Japan and Hong Kong, where they appear in 8 highly prestigious stores. Furthermore, this great attention to social issues in Indonesia has led Ika Butoni to establish the Export Development Organisation of Bali, with the aim of promoting exports of products manufactured by local small and mid sized businesses. In 1983, Ika launched her own company, Butoni Ltd, specialising in design and in producing high fashion collections. The business asserted herself in the world of fashion. In Hong Kong, the company doesn't just promote its own brand, "by Ika", but also boasts exclusive partnerships with brands such as Ferrè, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Adolfo Domingquez, and Roberto Cavalli. "It is important to encourage and motivate young designers to get into this profession, which provides ample space for creativity, naturally without ever forgetting one's own origins and traditions," concluded Ika Butoni.

Informative seminars

A series of interesting seminars were conducted during APLF. These collateral events provided exhibitors and visitors alike a worthy opportunity to get up-to-date with current issues regarding technology for the leather industry, quality control and inspections, business solutions and fashion trends.

• Mary Yan Yan Chan, Peclers Paris
  Peclers Paris's Fall/Winter 08-09: Lifestyle Inspiration with Colours and Materials Influences
• Valerie Wilson Trower, the Hong Kong Design Institute
  Visual Merchandising: A Unique Difference
• Yves Morin, CTC Groupe
  CTC Groupe, Over 100 Years of Expertise in Footwear, Leather and Leathergoods
• Arnaud Dyduck, CTC Asia Ltd
  Control of Restricted Substances in Footwear and Leathergoods: the Key to Protect Your Brand
• Dr Xu Shuijun, Insight
  The Definitive Footwear Trends
• Dr Dirk von Czarnowdki, TÜV SÜD Hong Kong
  Ready for REACH?
• Agnes Kubiak, Style-Vision Ltd
  Let's Go Ahead in 2008!
• Madam Zhang Shuhua, China Leather Industry Association
  Current New Policies and the 11th Five-Year Plan of China's Leather Industry

Manufacturing Technology Enhancement Sector

A special area was conceived which enabled leather industry visitors to easily track down exhibitors using the latest technologies related to CAD-CAM systems and software applications. This location included companies specialising in the international inspection and certification of goods, providing an understanding of the standards and various regulations in the global market.