New fashion design focus well received at Interstoff (Hong Kong)

Interstoff Asia Essential successfully closed yet another season on 8 October 2010 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Featuring 248 suppliers who presented their range of fashion, functional and eco fabrics as well as textile related accessories to 6,860 buyers from 46 countries and regions, the show also coincided with the 26th IAF World Apparel Convention. Exhibitors and visitors alike praised the overall improved layout of the fair as well as the strong focus on design all while being able to conduct serious business on-site.

Mr Detlef Braun, Member of the Board of Management for Messe Frankfurt GmbH reflected on the company’s strength in the textile industry during the 26th IAF international fashion designer awards and fashion show held on 6 October 2010 at the fair.“Messe Frankfurt has one of the largest portfolios of textile trade fairs in the world. In fact, it’s no coincidence that this fashion show overlaps with Interstoff Asia Essential, which has, over the last two decades, become Asia’s most well-known fashion, functional and eco apparel fabrics trade fair, bringing together some of the industry’s leading trend forecasters, fashion designers, garment manufacturers, decision makers as well as fabrics suppliers.”

In addition to sponsoring international designers, local design students attending Caritas Bianchi College of Career partnered with exhibitors to reflect the coming Autumn/Winter 2011-12 trends.“The fashion shows were even better than the last edition. The clothing lines were very creative and we truly benefited from this extra promotion,” expressed Mr Daniel Wu, representative for DJIC Ltd, a Taiwan pavilion exhibitor.

Another major crowd-pleaser was the fashion show organised by Hong Kong registered charity, Green2Greener that featured both ready-to-wear and eco couture made by some 30 Asian designers. Founder, Ms Christina Dean was pleased to cooperate with Messe Frankfurt. "On the one hand, our EcoChic fashion shows provide a glam insight into the advances in eco-fashion whilst on the other hand; the fair provides the more technical educational aspect about eco-textiles.”

GOTS became an “Eco Partner” of Interstoff Asia for the first time this year and they showed their new film during the fair. Several other eco certification bodies that exhibited this year include bluesign ag, Control Union and Ecocert. Mr Sebastian Baumgartner, Communications for bluesign technologies ag stated, “To be in the heart of the textile manufacturing centre in Hong Kong is a great opportunity for us to share information and exchange knowledge so that we can educate manufacturers and retailers on the importance of having a more responsible attitude towards the environment.” He continued, “the special eco fashion design and trend features are certainly a good way to encourage an environmentally-friendly attitude.”

This season, Ms Ornella Bignami of Elementi Moda, Milan presented the Interstoff Directions Trend Committee’s colour, fabric and texture forecasts for Autumn/Winter 2011 - 2012 in a practical yet vibrant display of exhibitor fabric samples that were then further categorised into: “From Eco to Fashion" and "From Function to Fashion” trends.

First time exhibitors from India, Mr Rajesh Shukla, Vice President for Shrijee Lifestyle Pvt Ltd found the organisers attention to design to be quite useful: “the detailed trend forums and fashion shows have been particularly good. It gives buyers direction and inspiration for their next collections.”

Professional buyers win over participating suppliers
“I have been to many fabric shows, and feel that the quality and professionalism of buyers attending is quite high. I am very happy and will participate again,” observed Mr Kiyotake Taenaka, President for Taenaka Pile Fabrics, Japanese manufacturers of cotton velvet, fashion fur and other velvets.

Among the top renowned retailer brands and buying offices attending were: Adidas Sourcing Ltd, Benetton Asia Pacific Ltd, Burberry Asia Ltd, Diane Freis Ltd, Esprit De Corp, Esquel Enterprises Ltd, Hennes & Mauritz (Far East) Ltd, Laura Ashley, Levi Strauss & Co, Li & Fung Trading Ltd, Macy's Merchandising Group, Phillips Van Heusen Far East Ltd, Polo Ralph Lauren, Target Brands Inc, The Children's Place, Tory Burch, Toppy Trading, Triumph International Venture Group, Wacoal International, and many more.

The top five visiting countries and regions besides Hong Kong included China, Taiwan, Korea, the US and Russia.

A special buyer delegation from the Middle East also attended, reflecting the diversity of the buyer profile. Mr Matt Muhanad Jarar from Souhadam International Exhibitions Promotion Agency represented two buyers: Mr Mohama Taleb of Bayantex and Mr Nazeer Gillawy of King Tex, Syria. “They really enjoyed sourcing at this fair, which gave them both time to engage in serious business discussions. They are also very happy with the quality of products offered.”

For easy on-site navigation, the new layout covered halls 1C, D and E and grouped suppliers into country and region pavilions including Elite China, Fine Japan, Excellent Korea and Amazing Taiwan as well as eco certified pavilions plus special areas such as an accessories zone and a designer studio.

Placed alongside Asia’s most well known industry trade fair – Interstoff Asia Essential – the 26th IAF World Apparel Convention kicked off in high spirits with strong industry support on Wednesday, 6 October 2010.

Ms Rita Lau Ng Wai-lan, JP, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, HKSAR opened the two-day convention reinforcing the fact that Hong Kong is still a major player in the textile industry. “Apart from being a fashion design centre, Hong Kong also serves as a hub for sourcing in the global supply chain of apparel products. Our companies are experienced in fabrics procurement, sales and marketing, quality control, logistics arrangements, [and these] wide-ranging quality services offered by our Hong Kong companies are not easily matched elsewhere."

Mr Wang Shenyang, Chairman of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textiles, Mr Willy Lin, Chairman for the Textile Council Hong Kong, Mr Detlef Braun, Member of the Board of Management for Messe Frankfurt GmbH and Mr Leung Wai Ping, Executive Director for Li & Fung (Trading) Ltd were also in attendance.

Afterwards a keynote address was given by Mr John Cheh, Vice Chairman and CEO for Esquel Group Limited. “Holding the IAF convention in Hong Kong is particularly significant, as it marks the formal joining of China as its official member, truly making this federation international.” The proceeding two days, presented a range of seminars that were divided intofour major sessions that were hosted by professionals who came from a variety of industry backgrounds. A detailed report on the 26th IAF World Apparel Convention will be given at a later time.