What doom and gloom? 

Economic uncertainties were noticeably absent at Fashion Access, which took place late last month at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The fair grounds brimmed with optimism as exhibitors and buyers kept busy conducting business throughout the 3-day event.  

An international fashion fair

Attracting buyers with its range of quality, head-to-toe collections from international exhibitors, Fashion Access saw an 18% increase in buyer attendance compared to 2009. Testament to its core strength as a leading international fashion fair, 70% of buyers came from abroad: Italian and French buyers were joined by their Asian counterparts from Japan, Korea and China. Visitors from both North and South America also increased their presence this March.

"The traffic was very good this year…we received many orders from Japanese and Korean buyers," said Fashion Access exhibitor Angela Wang of Gaya Canada Enterprises Ltd.
Buyers, too, were impressed by the international offer.  Annmarie Gaganis of Australian brand Whistles attended Fashion Access for the first time and noted that the fair was “very well represented internationally, with exhibitors not only from Asia but also from Europe, North America and South America."

Returning buyer Monica Velez from Spanish company Musgo, said:  “We attend Fashion Access for more than 10 seasons and each time I discover new products and trends, from a very international group of exhibitors.”

Quality product offer

Participants of Fashion Access predict that the worst of the crisis is over, at least in Asia, and while the past year has been difficult for most, it has also energised the industry with more innovation and better quality and design. 

The Japanese Pavilion was particularly strong in their fashion offer, and, as one Japanese exhibitor noted, Fashion Access attracted buyers whose sourcing decisions were based on a balance of price, craftsmanship and design. 

“I'm glad to see improvement in the products, especially the bags and in particular designs from mainland China.  I’ve seen many products of very good quality indeed,” noted returning buyer Fernando Sergio Peralta of VMC Cuero Argentino, Argentina.

First-time attendee Dita Velentova, a buyer from Czech company Elega, expressed her extreme satisfaction with “the reasonably priced and broad range of quality fashion bags” at Fashion Access.

Concurred footwear buyer Albert Chiam of Zip Shoes, Australia, who found "both design quality and breadth of products".

Fashion, from head-to-toe

Fashion Access’ large product range - its head-to-toe fashion concept – offers buyers a platform source conveniently and efficiently for their multi-product retailing needs.  Some returning exhibitors are turning this demand into a business opportunity, such as eco-friendly brand Francs Bourgeois who have expanded its product range from leather bags to include garments.

Meanwhile, the fair is also inspiring current trends. According to exhibitor Shoji Chuck Takagi of Iwasakai Co., buyers emerged post-crisis with greater creative vision, adding that “Fashion Access is moving in the right direction to meet the industry’s needs”.

Said footwear retailer Zameer Sayed of India’s Catwalk Worldwide Ltd, “the fair has taught me to continue pushing for design innovation and it inspired me to consider expanding my business into bags and accessories ranges”.