Good reception to new APLF concept

Fashion Access - Handbags, Travelware, Footwear, Leather Garments and Fashion Accessories, the new name for APLF Fashion and Finished Products, has been well received by the industry as the region's premier event for lifestyle and fashion accessories. Nowadays, the market requires design excellence in every aspect of living that is influenced by fashion. More and more designers and manufacturers are applying their expertise and the reputation of their established brand to a broader range of products with leather and man-made materials. The result for exhibitors will be to broaden the universe of buyers seeking integrated, dynamic collections reflecting the lifestyle image now in vogue and abundantly in evidence in major Asian cities. Adrian Watkins, Publisher of Fashion Extras Magazine who took the pulse of the industry in the United Kingdom reported: 'The new name, Fashion Access, gives the fair a much broader concept to encompass a wider range of accessories. The general feeling I had on the new name amongst exhibitors was that it was well received and an improvement on the former name 'Fashion and Finished Products' because it reflects a broader range of products.' The biannual fair is well established as a 'must-attend' for designers and manufacturers of handbags, travelware, footwear, leather garments and fashion accessories. Rebooking is fast and exhibitors are keen to have larger booth showing wider range of exhibits. In April 2002, there were over 800 exhibiting companies from 29 countries and regions, among which 68% were overseas exhibiters. The new fair name is also well received by buyers. Inder Bedi of Via Vegan, a buyer of handbags and small leathergoods from Canada, commented that the new name Fashion Access is very trendy. Once again a full programme of events is being organised. A comprehensive line of seminars covering highly popular topics on fashion direction, markets and technologies will be held. More information on trends will be found on display in the fair. Daily fashion shows will highlight the newest collections of international exhibitors and there will be a special display of entries in the Hong Kong Footwear Design Competition 2004 at Fashion Access. Fashion Access - Handbags, Travelware, Footwear, Leather Garments and Fashion Accessories will be held from March 29-31, 2004, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.