Let's Go Summer 2009

Buoyed on by the success of the previous Fashion Access (FA), the next event, scheduled 2 - 4 October 2008, will focus on the upcoming season under the slogan 'Let's Go Summer 2009'.   The earlier event, held at the end of March 2008, heralded the growing importance of the twice-a-year exhibition in determining trends across a wide range of lifestyle accessories for forthcoming seasons. It is a unique event that encompasses bags, footwear, travelware, leather goods and, of course, fashion accessories. Fashion Access is now the 'must attend' event for exhibitors and buyers alike who have to stay in the fast lane of world fashion.    Fashion Access was attended by more than 14,000 buyers over the three day period last March. Exhibitors were impressed by the level of buyers who visited their stands. In particular, many were delighted to note a substantial increase of buyers from Japan: 1,200, and 20% up over the previous year. TRENDS, TRENDS, TRENDS Trends have always been a driving force in the fashion and related businesses but today they matter more than ever before. Just keeping up with the pace is hard enough: staying ahead would be impossible without the help and guidance offered by the many areas around the exhibition devoted to trends forecasting.   Launched last March, the Eco-Luxury Zone highlights the appeal of a growing number of eco-conscious consumers for products that make them feel good and do not harm the planet or their ethical conscience. These include bags and accessories made of natural fibers, bio-degradable or recycled materials and unique handmade products and manufacturing processes that preserve ancestral crafts and provide work to under-privileged populations.   This eco-theme will be further highlighted in the programme of talks and seminars scheduled during the fair (Details to be announced).  These events pass on insights and advice from some of the most successful people in the industry. BRAZIL SEES OPPORTUNITIES AT FASHION ACCESS Brazilian companies are gearing up to increase their presence at FA. Heitor Klein, Executive Director of Abicalçados, the organisers of the Brazilian pavilion declared, on their previous experience, "The exhibitors in the Brazil pavilion met with buyers from Japan, Indonesia, Australia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Hungary, Greece, India, Singapore, France, and of course China. The Brazilian exhibitors were satisfied with the business they made: they received orders on site worth USD 206 thousand and estimate sales for the next 12 months at USD 900 thousand." DIARY ENTRY Fashion Access 'Let's Go Summer 2009' runs for three days, 2 - 4 October 2008, at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre in Wanchai, the pulsating heart of Hong Kong's commercial and entertainment area. For fair details, please contact: Ms Perrine Ardouin, Senior Event Manager Email: perrine@cmpasia.com   For media enquiries, please contact: Ms Jean Lai, Senior Marketing Communications Executive Email: jeanlai@cmpasia.com   APLF Limited 17/F China Resources Building 26 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2827 6211 Fax: (852) 2827 7831 Website: www.aplf.com If you wish to contribute to the APLF News, with your experiences in the industry, your observations, or general thoughts on the direction the industry is going, we would like to hear from you. Email: aplf-news@aplf.com   How long has your company been attending APLF? If you wish to be involved in the celebration of the 25th anniversary of APLF, we would like to hear from you. Email: aplf-news@aplf.com. Subject Headline: APLF 25th Anniversary