Fashion Week and World Boutique Conclude in Style

17 January 2014 – Nearly 38,000 buyers from 92 countries and regions attended this week’s HKTDC Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter and World Boutique, Hong Kong.

The twin fairs, which ended yesterday at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, were organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. More than 60 events took place during the fairs’ four days, 13-16 January, including fashion shows, designer sessions and seminars.

Global Buyers
HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau said the buyers came mostly from the Chinese mainland, Japan, the United States and Taiwan. Attendance from Australia, Singapore, Spain and Canada recorded double-digit growth, reflecting buyer optimism from these traditional markets. For emerging markets, buyers from the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Turkey also recorded good increases.

The two fairs brought together nearly 1,850 exhibitors from 29 countries and regions. Major brands such as Bossini, Club Monaco, DKSH (Thailand) Ltd, Fossil Asia Pacific Ltd, Li & Fung and Zalora sent representatives to the fairs.

Hong Kong sportswear manufacturer Yangtzekiang Garment Ltd has been serving clients from the medium to high-end fashion segments for more than 50 years. The company launched a new sportswear collection at the fair, and company General Manager Felix Lo said Fashion Week was effective for debuting products. “Buyer traffic has been good. I have already met buyers from Australia, Europe, Japan, Mexico, the Middle East and New Zealand.”

Attracting Partners
Theresa Tse, Executive Director of 2%, said the company had staged a fashion parade to showcase its new collections. “The show was attended by many fashion professionals and industry leaders, which is conducive to attracting strategic partners. We are very happy with the outcome, and are planning to attend the Fashion Week again later this year.” (HKTDC Hong Kong Fashion Week for Spring/Summer will take place from 7 July to 10 July.)

In 2010, local designer Don Cheng launched his own brand of flamboyant, crystal-studded handbags and accessories. The products were a hit with emerging-market buyers at the fair. Mr Cheng said buyers at Fashion Week are not just interested in big labels but also in products that are special. “I have met buyers from Asia, Europe and the Middle East at Fashion Week. The fair gives good exposure to my products. The organiser has also given me advice on taking our business global. I will most certainly be back at the next fair.”

Small-Orders, Big Payoff
Hong Kong Fashion Week’s Small-Order Zone featured some 1,500 quality products from over 120 suppliers. More than 6,500 buyers visited the zone, which received over 13,000 business enquiries.

Indonesian buyer Detty Wulandari, CEO and founder of PT Sinar Mandiri Utama, a flash sales website selling men’s and women’s casual wear from Indonesian and international brands for seven days at a time. Ms Wulandari found the Small-Order Zone very helpful, as she could place small orders for products from mid-range brands to test consumer response.

Hong Kong in Fashion
The HKTDC once again organised “Hong Kong in Fashion” together with 52 partners, including fashion labels, retail outlets, cafes and restaurants. The three-week promotion, which continues through 23 January, features some 50 public events at over 170 locations. These include the Street Snap Competition, free image and styling services at shopping malls, the “Stage of Glamour” fashion exhibition, fashion accessories workshops and make-up demonstrations, fashion parades and the “Coffee x Fashion” DIY Workshop. More than 5,000 people have attended the events to date.

Media Enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC Corporate Communication Department:

Joe Kainz       Tel: (852) 2584 4216    Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org

About the HKTDC
A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers. With more than 40 global offices, including 12 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises trade fairs and business missions to connect companies with opportunities in Hong Kong and on the mainland, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and online. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com.

	The 45th Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter and the 12th World Boutique, Hong Kong, welcomed nearly 38,000 buyers from 92 countries and regions during their four-day run, which ended yesterday at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
	More than 650 international fashion labels joined this year’s World Boutique, Hong Kong, including Vivienne Westwood
	More than 60 events were held at the two fairs, including fashion shows, designer sessions and seminars. Fashion journalist Janice Wong (left) talks about her career at one of the seminars
	Japanese fashion designer Atsuro Tayama, a judge at the Knitwear Symphony 2014 competition, also unveiled part of his 2014-15 Fall/Winter collection at the event
	Singer Sandy Lam attended the Grand Final Fashion Show of the EcoChic Design Award 2013, presenting the grand prize to German designer Karen Jessen
	Many brands held fashion parades at the fairs to showcase their latest collections. Singer Pakho Chau (far left) was on the catwalk for i.t. Hong Kong designer Ken So hosted a wedding gown fashion parade (right)
	At Hong Kong Fashion Extravaganza, 13 January, four international designers showcased their collections, including Spanish designer Amaya Arzuaga (left)
	The winning pieces in the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers’ Contest are on display at the D-mop shop in Central until 28 January
	“Hong Kong in Fashion,” 2-23 January, features more than 50 partners and nearly 50 events, including the “Stage of Glamour” fashion exhibition, fashion accessories workshops, make-up demonstrations and (left) the free image and styling services on offer at Times Square