Ms. Hilda Van Lill, of Foschini, with some 200 stores in South Africa found the previous Fashion Access covered practically everything she was looking for. “We offer handbags, footwear and lifestyle accessories. I’m particularly impressed by some amazing footwear I found here.”
Her words express the confidence of many planning to attend Fashion Access (FA). There’s a positive tone flowing throughout the industry in the lead-up to the fast approaching exhibition.
Fashion Access is the twice-a-year, must-attend, one-stop-shop showcase for a huge range of life-style and fashion items offering high quality products across a variety of price points.
It is Asia’s premier exhibition – indeed Asia’s only event for this industry, in terms of international participation by exhibitors and buyers, product range, and latest up-to-the-minute fashion.
KNEE DEEP IN FOOTWEAR FASHION: 40% MORE!
“Fashion Access is a great fair that has a good variety of product and very big compared to those in the US”. Keiron Shepard, Timberland, USA
Footwear features even more prominently. The number of footwear companies exhibiting has been boosted by almost 40%. That’s an impressive increase and a solid vote of confidence that FA is the exhibition in which to display. It’s a market that is already taking advantage of the European Union (EU) dropping its anti-dumping measures applied against China and Vietnam earlier this year. Enterprising companies in Europe and Asia are busy seeking inventory to meet the broader demand previously curtailed by the tariff.
Trade is a two-way thing. The Spanish shoe making industry has been running the numbers for exporting to China. Javier Garcia Lillo, Secretary General of the Spanish Federation of Footwear Industries (FICE) says, “It’s not about manufacturing over there, but to sell products made here, mainly ladies footwear which has lots of design and fashion built in.”
Look for Italy, Brazil and Portugal, for example, putting more resources into targeting the enormous potential of the Chinese domestic retail market.
Not just China either. Mr. Raphael, of PIT, in Switzerland, commented, “This the first time I have exhibited in Fashion Access (March 2011) and I’ve found it is a great event in which to conduct business. I shall definitely exhibit again in September.”
Mr Patrick Fung, of Hong Kong company, IFL Footwear, noted, “I met a lot of serious buyers, some of whom represented big buying offices in China”. Mr Fung reported further good responses after the show too.
THE EVER CHANGING SEASONSThe September 2011 exhibition (28 – 30 September) showcases collections for spring/summer 2012, (while the March 2012 event will feature those for the forthcoming autumn/winter 2012 season.) Since inception Fashion Access the event has been marked up highly by buyers seeking to build complete brands.
“Fashion Avenue” offers a show case for exquisite and up-and-coming brands and designers targeting buyers from small chains and boutiques. In fact it is up by 13%. The range of lifestyle products is exceptionally wide, from bags and handbags, apparel, lifestyle accessories (wallets, gloves, necklace, etc.) – covering a wide range of pricing points.
Specifically, “Fashion Avenue” brings together buyers and sellers initiating or developing comprehensive ‘own brand’ ranges at retail level.
Additional, but significant advantages are that international buyers can reduce the time (and cost!) of visiting several different countries and suppliers. For example: discerning buyers know that both the Philippines and Indonesia offer high quality products with innovative design.
FASHION ACCESS IS THE TRADE EXHIBITION FOR YOU IF:
* You are looking to build a retail brand with suppliers in China, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Bangladesh, etc.
* You are seeking Chinese made products for overseas markets, such as Europe, south or north America, etc
* You want to cut down on travel costs – air fares, accommodation, etc. and see maybe 90% (even 100%) of what you want all at one time, in one place
* You are looking for Quality products – in terms of design and manufacture throughout
* You want to keep ‘ahead of the curve’ regarding innovation, fashion forecasts, etc
* You are prepared to network like crazy and listen to the latest industry gossip
* You use the time saved by one-stop shopping to developing all aspects of your business.
* You don’t want your competitors getting the business!
Fashion Access is held at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong’s commercial and entertainment centre.
You can discover more about FASHION ACCESS exhibitors and events at www.fashionaccess.aplf.com.
ABOUT FASHION ACCESS
FASHION ACCESS is an international leading fashion fair held twice each year. The fair is aptly aligned with fashion’s key buying seasons, showcasing spring-summer exhibitor collections in September and fall-winter collections in March. In 2010, 18,072 buyers from 89 countries attended the 2 Fashion Access events combined.
ABOUT APLF LTD
APLF Ltd is a joint venture between SIC Group and UBM Asia. For over two decades, Hong Kong-based APLF Ltd has been providing the global leather and fashion industries with its most important meeting and trading place.