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2004-10-18
Interstoff Asia Autumn – International Fabric Show
6 – 8 October 2004, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre
- Interstoff Asia Autumn 2004 closes with over 10,000 buyers
- A high volume of buying activity confirms the fair’s importance for the Asian textile markets
- Experts predict changes for the global textile industry post 2005
F I N A L R E P O R T
Interstoff Asia Autumn 2004 closed last week amid a positive atmosphere, reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as an important regional trading hub for apparel fabrics. The show, which ran for three days at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, welcomed 10,743 trade visitors through its door. More than 28% of the trade visitors were from outside Hong Kong, reflecting the internationality of the fair. Mainland Chinese buyers accounted for 10% of the total, other Asian buyers for 9%, European buyers 4% and North and South American buyers 3%.
Over 300 textile manufacturers, suppliers and designers from 16 countries and regions displayed their collections for the Autumn / Winter 2005/06 season on 9,000sqm of floor space. The “Rediscover Korea” display was very popular, allowing trade buyers to examine the innovative products manufactured in Korea. Another eye catcher was the Functional Fabric Pavilion featuring a demonstration area designed to educate visitors on the latest developments and innovations in this dynamic sector. ‘Fabric-to-Fashion’ co-organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and the Hong Kong Apparel Society (HKAS) welcomed visitors with colourful garment displays at the entrance of the fair.
The Directions Trend Forum, designed by Global Color Research of London was another highlight of the show. Interstoff Asia Autumn 2004 also featured creations from award-winning British textile designers.
This year, the show’s attendance was lightly lower than the previous year – with a slow first day picking up again on days two and three – but this did not affect the positive mood and feel of the event. Many exhibitors commented upon the quality of buyers who had frequented their booths.
“The level of visitors coming to our booth might be slightly lower than the previous year but it is not a problem at all as we can better concentrate on the buyers that matter,” said Mr. Mehmet Gökdemir of Gap Güneydoġu Tekstil San. Ve Tic. A.S, a Turkish denim manufacturer. “This is our fourth time at Interstoff Asia and our main purpose at this show is to investigate the regional markets, especially Korea, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand, and we have made some very good new contacts.”
“Although we saw fewer visitors at the fair this year, we are very happy with the results,” said Mr. Alex Wong, Sales Manager of DM Reflective Material (Int’l) Ltd., Hong Kong. “Many of our competitors are present at the show, and we were approached by a lot of buyers especially from Europe. We will definitely participate again next year.”
Both exhibitor and visitor comments also confirm that Hong Kong is still a major sourcing hub recognised the world over. “With all the major apparel brands and trading companies using the city as their base in the region, Hong Kong is the place to be in Asia,” says Ms. Katy Lam, Director of Trade Fairs for Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd.
The names of the companies represented at the show speak volumes about the importance of Hong Kong – and Interstoff Asia Autumn – as a regional trading platform.
On Interstoff Asia Autumn’s visitor list were major casual and sports wear labels such as Adidas-Salomon, Baleno, Banana Republic, Body Glove, Bossini, Eddie Bauer, Esprit, French Connection, G2000, Gap, H&M, J C Penney, Levi Strauss, Liz Clairborne, Next, Nike, Old Navy, Quicksilver, Sears, Tesco, and Zegna.
High-end fashion designer labels were also present such as Armani Exchange, Burbery, Burlington, Calvin Klein Jeans, Chanel, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Donna Karen, LVMH Fashion Group, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Timberland, plus many bodywear and lingerie labels including Victoria Secret, Jockey, and Triumph.
On the eve of the quota abolition, Interstoff Asia Autumn 2004 was a timely forum for industry professionals to come together and discuss their views and expectations for the industry post 2005. Most predict a radical change in the way buyers and manufacturers will do business, and many new trends are expected.
Mr. Justin Huang, Deputy Secretary General of the Taiwan Textile Federation, explained during an on-site seminar, that “one of the major keys to success for many textiles manufacturers after the quota abolition, will be for them to offer better quality of operational services, faster delivery and most of all, products that combine functionality and innovative designs.”
Mr. Yoon, the Vice Chairman for the Korea Fashion Textile Association further emphasised the changes that will occur next year. “After January 2005, we will see a change in buying habits. Buyers will be looking for ‘one-stop-shops’, and manufacturers will have to offer the entire range of services.”
Speaking about the future of Interstoff Asia, Katy Lam emphasised the changing role of the show. “We understand that the next year will see tremendous changes in the global textile industry, and Interstoff Asia will adapt to those changes. Five years ago, the show was offering a wide range of products attracting buyers covering the entire spectrum of garment types; but now the fair is going towards a more niche market specialising for the sourcing of innovative value-added products instead of textiles for the mass market. The future is still bright for Interstoff Asia and the fair will continue to be an essential trade platform for high-end apparel textiles in the Asia Pacific region for years to come.”
“We have been coming to Interstoff Asia for many years, are are very happy with the results of the show, “ said Mr. Michel from European Stretch Fabrics. “There is a real ‘China-hype’ at the moment worldwide, but I believe that Hong Kong remains the trading hub for the Asia Pacific region. We specialise in high-end stretch products used for underwear and swimwear and we know that our prices would be too high for the [mainland] Chinese market at the moment.”
“This is the first time we have exhibited at Interstoff Asia Autumn,” said Mr. Vedat Penpecioglu of Tayteks Tekstil Ticaret ve Sanyi Ltd. “We came here to promote our products to the Asian market and we have met buyers from important companies like G2000 and Li & Fung. We are already very busy arranging sample orders. We will definitely come back next year.”
The Functional Fabric pavilion attracted a lot of attention, illustrating the trend for value-added products.
“Our breathable and water-proof fabrics are being showcased and tested in the demonstration area,” said Mr. Joe Lin, General Manager, Eamy Textile Trading Co Ltd, Taiwan. “We offer ‘4-in-1’ fabrics combining water repellence, quick dry, stain release and anti-static functions and the display area has helped us in promoting our products. We made some very good contacts.”
Over 600 visitors took advantage of the seminars at Interstoff Asia Autumn 2004 to increase their market knowledge and learn more about next season’s trends.
“I always find Interstoff Asia Autumn seminars very informative,” said Ms. Marian H. M. Hui of Panter Garment. “The seminar about the textile industry in the Pearl River Delta was very interesting as China is considered such a hot topic. I have picked up some valuable tips about doing business in China.”
Messe Frankfurt apparel textile fairs around the world
Interstoff Asia is part of a family of 10 apparel textile fairs around the world:
- Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics, 26 – 29 October 2004
- Intimate Apparel Salon, New York, 31 Oct – 1 Nov 2004
- Intima America, New York, 6 – 8 March 2005
- Texworld, Paris, 8 – 11 March 2005
- Interstoff Asia Spring / Source it, Hong Kong, 21 – 23 March 2005
- Yarn Expo, Beijing, 29 – 31 March 2005
- Intertextile Beijing Apparel Fabrics, 29 – 31 March 2005
- Intima Japan, Tokyo, 9 – 11 May 2005
- Interstoff Rossija, Moscow, 7 – 9 September 2005
- Interstoff Asia Autumn, Hong Kong, 5 – 7 October 2005
-end-
Exhibitor comments
“We manufacture high quality fabrics for top fashion brands, and visitors to our booth, including buyers from the US, Spain and China, are very interested in our products. Even though we found that the level of visitors to our booth has decreased comparatively to the previous years, we are very happy with the quality of the visitors. We always think that quality is better than quantity. We have already received some orders and we are very pleased as it is not always possible to receive orders on-site; we certainly expect to do more business after the show. Many buyers saw our fabric displayed at the trend forum and then came to visit our booth.”
Mr. Pradip Ingle, General Manager (Exports) of Morarjee Mills, India
“I am extremely happy to be here. We are regular exhibitors at Interstoff Asia and our purpose at the fair is to make new contacts and present our products to the Asian market. We have met some very important buyers. We will join the show again next year!”
Mr. Leo Berginz, Sales Manager, Hermann Beuhler AG, Switzerland
“We have come to Interstoff Asia for many years. Business is very good and we have made plenty of new contacts.”
Mr. Johann Leitner, Senior Technical Manager for Lenzing.
“It is the first time we have exhibited at Interstoff Asia Autumn and we found the show outstanding. We produce high-end wool fabrics for suits, pants, coats and our products have attracted many buyers.”
Ms. Jasmine Ng, Huaxi Group (Hong Kong) CO. Ltd., Hong Kong
“We came to Interstoff Asia Autumn to launch our new products made of bamboo fibres. We were able to introduce the new range to many relevant buyers. The show was a success for us and we will certainly come again.”
Mr. Keith Chow, Director of Pacific Field Trading Ltd., China
Visitor comments
“I found the Trend Forum very useful. With the colour and fabric forecast displayed here for 2005/06, I am better equipped when sourcing fabrics for the next season.”
Ms. Rachel Lee, Merchandiser, CHA Design Export (HK) Ltd, Hong Kong
“This is the second time I have visited Interstoff Asia and as before I have found the show very interesting. The idea of having trend forum is very good. This time, I came to source many different kinds of fabrics and I have found what I was looking for.”
Ms. Bev Roche, Director – China Development of Sara Lee Courtaulds, UK
“It is my first time to visit Interstoff Asia and I found the show very informative and well organised. I came here to source cotton fabrics and I have already found what I need. Besides the show itself, I was interested by the trend forum as well as functional fabric pavilion.”
Ms. Alesia Costa of Malvi & Co., Italy.
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