"The 48th Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter, one of Asia’s a mega fashion sourcing platform opened doors yesterday (January 16) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The four-day show being held from January 16 to 19 is being organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). It features more than 1,500 exhibitors from 21 countries, showcasing latest fashion, garment, accessories, fabrics and sewing supplies."

The 48th Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter, one of Asia’s a mega fashion sourcing platform opened doors yesterday (January 16) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The four-day show being held from January 16 to 19 is being organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). It features more than 1,500 exhibitors from 21 countries, showcasing latest fashion, garment, accessories, fabrics and sewing supplies. Under the theme ‘Hall of Games’, this year’s Fashion Week for Fall/Winter incorporates board game elements throughout the fairground to enhance the ambience.

With healthy living becoming a priority among consumers, the demand for sportswear and fitness clothing is on the rise. To help buyers identify relevant products and suppliers, the HKTDC has added two new zones to this year’s show: ‘Fashionable Sportswear’ and ‘Denim & Casual Wear’. The former showcases the hottest styles for various sports activities, including fitness and yoga while the latter focuses on trendy designs for a relaxed lifestyle.

Country pavilions a major attraction

There are five pavilions at the fair and India is one of the prominent ones. Other include Indonesia, Japan,  Macau and Pakistan. Companies from Italy, Sweden and Pakistan are debuting this year at the fair, bringing along names such as Italian brand Salto, displaying its eco-leather silver pleated skirt; Swedish company Yves Lansac, is showcasing colourful and fashionable watch and handbag collections; and Pakistani exhibitor Umar Garments Printing, introduces its automated screen printing technology that allows high flexibility and accuracy for producing simple to complex designs with advanced inks.

As a global fashion sourcing hub, Hong Kong is a hotspot for many international trading houses and premier retailers. The annual Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter is an important platform for buyers to discover latest fashion and accessories. To create more business opportunities for exhibitors, the HKTDC has arranged 90 buying missions from 43 countries and regions bringing more than 3,770 companies to the show. Among the participants are representatives of famous fashion labels, mega chain stores and distributors from both traditional and emerging markets, including Spain’s Beni Room, Japan’s H.P. France, Thailand’s Jaspal and the Chinese mainland’s The Fashion Door.

Fashion shows showcasing creativity

More than 20 fashion events are taking place during the four-day Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter. In addition to trend forecasting seminars, thematic forums and networking receptions, a total of 10 fashion shows including designers’ collection and brand collection shows are being staged. Hong Kong Fashion Week has long been a launch pad for up-and-coming local young designers. To spotlight Hong Kong’s design talent, local fashion website ‘Fashionally’ presented two fashion shows on the first day featuring collections of 14 fashion labels by emerging local designers. Participants included established names as well as first-time participants, including Jane Ng, Yeung Chin, Kenson Tam, Winnie Chen and Key Chow.

Ideal platform for exchange, collaboration

To help industry players exchange and obtain market intelligence, the HKTDC has invited industry experts to share their insights and ideas on the latest trends and topics at a series of events, including trend forecasting seminars, thematic forums and networking receptions.

Leading international fashion forecaster ‘Fashion Snoops’ shared their forecast and analysis on ‘The Key Trend Stories for Men’s and Women’s Wear for S/S 2018’. The HKTDC and The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) will host a seminar on ‘Knitting Tech – From Materials to Finishing’. On Jaunary 18, Asian e-tailer giant Zalora will explore the latest business opportunities of Omni-Channel Retailing, while The Woolmark Company, an authority in the wool industry, will host the ‘The Wool Lab S/S 18’ seminar to discuss the leading trends for Spring/Summer 2018 and introduce purchasing guides to the best wool fabrics and yarns.

YDC now open for applications

Facilitating growth in Hong Kong’s fashion industry has always been the HKTDC’s core mission. Apart from the launch of the FASHIONALLY website and the coordination of the Fashionally Collection shows during the bi-annual Hong Kong Fashion Weeks, the HKTDC has been actively organising the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers’ Contest (YDC) since its debut 40 years ago. The YDC is a springboard for unearthing talented local designers and this year’s competition will be held during CENTRESTAGE in September. The contest is now open for applications until 10th April.