A huge number of overseas buyers representing big name brands flocked to Fashion Access 2004, which ran from March 29 - 31 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, raising the fair's status as a major sourcing center for finished leather products.

Liz Claiborne, JC Penney, The Gap, VF Corporation, Polo Ralph Lauren, Sears Roebuck and Neiman Marcus were some of the major companies represented by buyers on the trade floor.

A total of 18,762 visitors attended the show. The majority of buyers - 67 percent - consisted of overseas (non-Hong Kong based) visitors. Buyers from mainland China were the biggest contingent with 3,450 buyers, followed by Japan (1,184), South Korea (961), India (955), Taiwan (941) and the USA (668), Italy (365), Thailand (325), Australia (308) and the Philippines (262).

"The number of overseas visitors substantiates the position of Fashion Access as an important international event," said a spokesman for Asia Pacific Leather Fair Ltd, the show's organizer.

The fair also provided an indication that business is on the rise for Asia.

"The resurgent economy in the Asia Pacific region was obvious in the business mood at the Fair and borne out by the figures which indicate that 50 percent of the visitors were from the Asia Pacific region," the spokesman added.

Good mix of exhibitors

More than 65 percent of buyers interviewed said they were at the fair to look for new suppliers, new products, and to place orders. With the varied mix of exhibitors at the fair - consisting of overseas companies, branded enterprises, and new suppliers - buyers said they were satisfied with the level of contacts made at Fashion Access.

A total of 835 companies from 34 countries and regions exhibited handbags, travelware and luggage, footwear, leather garments and fashion accessories. In addition, 21 group pavilions from Argentina, Bangladesh, mainland China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Mexico, Morocco, Pakistan, the Philippines, Spain, Taiwan and Thailand were present.

"APLF is one of the few fairs that offers worldwide access to the community of international buyers," said Raul Zylberstein, secretary of the Argentinean Leather Goods Chamber (CIMA). "CIMA will be back at Fashion Access in October to consolidate our presence and image."

Hon Wun Wey of Shanghai-based Transit Luggage, a regular APLF exhibitor, said the main reason his company exhibited at Fashion Access was to make contact with international buyers. Transit Luggage received inquiries from European, Japanese and Indian during the first two days of the fair.

That view was echoed by Sanjay Leekha of Alpine Apparels Pvt. Ltd from Faridabad, India, who met with buyers from Australia, Canada and Italy.

Fashion Access 2004, formerly the APLF Fashion and Finished Products Show, was rebranded this year to focus more on lifestyle fashion products. In keeping with the fair's emphasis, several exhibitors expanded on their displays to show full collections of fashion products for everyday use, and even complete branded ranges.

The next Fashion Access will take place on October 6 - 8, 2004 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.