HONG KONG, Sept. 29 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- In today's economy consumers may delay major expenses, such as house or car, but reward themselves with "small indulgences" such as the season's most stylish bag or a pair of shoes. The past year has seen this continued upswing of the fashion industry, although recovery comes with a price: having that competitive edge is now mandatory for businesses to succeed. Those who manage this will survive and prosper.
Fashion Access, which opened yesterday at the HKCEC and runs until 30 September, is proof of this. There are a total of 344 exhibitors -- 56 of which are first-time exhibitors -- showcasing fashionable, good-quality spring-summer 2011 collections. Coming from 22 countries and regions, together covering a wide range of fashion products, at Fashion Access they have the common benefit of gaining exposure in the Asia market while, with the fair's attraction to buyers worldwide, keeping one foot firmly in the international marketplace.
Spanish bag company Pepe Moli, a first-time Fashion Access exhibitor, received many inquiries and interest from buyers worldwide for its premium products. Meanwhile returning exhibitor Sally Chang of Gaya, Canada, who marked Fashion Access as "the must-participate trade fair", said that the event "helps us to reach the Asian market".
Opening day attracted a substantial number of buyers -- particularly with strong participation from Australia, Japan and Russia, looking to source products with the ideal price-quality balance that other fashion trade fairs in Asia do not offer.
"The fashion industry is often talked about in two extremes -- disposable fashion and luxury. Fashion Access takes the unique position of striking a balance between the right price, the right quality and the right designs in its vast product mix. This pleases many buyers," said Perrine Ardouin, event director of Fashion Access organisers APLF Ltd.
But take it from the buyers themselves.
Akanksun Suarma from Li & Fung Trading observed Fashion Access' product on offer to be far from the basic designs often seen at other fairs; its unique bag collections unmatched by other fashion fairs.
"The show offers, under one roof, products of good quality and design at a wide price range," noted buyer Kumar Gaurav of Indochine Textile.
For Russian fashion buyer Elena Yakunia, Fashion Access is a very good opportunity "to meet global suppliers, together offering a good range of fashion accessories."
Also impressed with the variety and quality of products of the fair, US-based fashion accessories buyer Katherine McHugh from Rowallan Ltd said: "I found more products here than at the trade fairs in Milan."
Concurred Japanese buyer Ryotaro Ezaki of Nano Universe: "The quality of the products is outstanding, probably even better than what I have seen at European fairs".
Today's schedule events include daily fashion presentations and the newly launched Fashion Access Forum, a 2-hour event in the afternoon covering several key issues shaping the fast-changing and competitive world of fashion. Primary themes discussed include sustainable fashion, footwear retailing in China and effective in-store retailing.
Fashion Access, the international fashion fair for head-to-toe fashion, is currently showcasing spring-summer 2011 collections at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre through to 30 September.
