The prize giving ceremony for the Best of APLF Awards was held on the second evening of the show and there were 19 categories across Top Style, Fashion Access and Materials, Manufacturing & Technology. This was the third year of the awards and the chairman of the judges was Suzanne Marest, chairman of the Comite Francais de la Couleur with whom APLF collaborate for the APLF trends.
At Materials, Manufacturing and Technology, the environmental award (non leather category) was given to Yuk Tin Trading (Hong Kong); while technology (leather) went to Incusa, Spain, for their Mecil gilt on leather line which combines 15th century Moroccan tanning traditions with 21st century technology.
The innovation award for the component category went to Luh Cheau Industries, Taiwan; for the non-leather category to Kolon Industries Inc, Korea, and the leather category to Aoki & Co Ltd, Japan, for their kangaroo leather which is lightweight and soft but also strong and resilient.
The award for design excellence was given to Presidency Kid Leather Ltd, India for their leather combining relief, three-dimensional and metallic elements.
At Top Style, the innovation award went to Tomeu, Spain, for a trendy unisex metallic boot; the quality award to Matu Romero, Spain, for their footwear and bag collection; and design excellence to Ras Alima, Spain, for a traditional shoe in metallic leather which united classic and modern details.
At Fashion Access, the best stand design award was given to Young Jun Intl Company, Hong Kong; the quality award for Fashion Access (bag category) to C&R International Holdings Ltd, Hong Kong.
The design excellence awards were allocated as follows: fashion accessories category to Jaczac Leatherware Factory, Hong Kong; leather garments to P&G Enterprises (India) for their washable leather jacket featuring fringes, Swarovski crystals and punching; footwear to B A T Company Ltd, Thailand; bag category to Fly Now – At Bangkok Co Ltd (Thailand) for woven, braided and fringed designs in soft nappa; travel and leisure products to Hangzhou Yingfu Plastic Co Ltd, China, and small leathergoods to Lianca & Co Ltd, Hong Kong.
