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| Immediate Release 5 March, 2007
Asia's Biggest Fur Fair Concluded on an Upbeat Mood The Hong Kong International Fur & Fashion Fair concluded on an upbeat note on March 1 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre as 5,569 buyers from all over the world participated in the four-day event. Total anticipated business orders amounted to HK$1.88 billion (US$241 million). According to Fair organizer, the Hong Kong Fur Federation, buyers from the top five visiting countries and regions (excluding Hong Kong) are as follows:
Mr. Thomas Wong, Chairman of the Federation said: “The business atmosphere at the fairground continued to be very optimistic this year, though the number of buyers decreased compared to last year. The attendance is actually in line with 2005, as is the market level for pelts right now. Buyers were studying the exhibits and taking notes attentively, as well as placing sample orders for the coming season.” “An exceptionally warm winter around the world at the end of last year has led to an increase in the stock of fur products, driving most of our buyers to adopt a wait-and-see attitude towards the future needs,” Mr. Wong noted. “However, a reasonable correction of fur material prices in recent auctions worldwide has led an upbeat mood to the industry. Buyers are seeing more business opportunities and gearing up for new designs for coming seasons as fur prices retreat to a more affordable level for most consumers.” Exhibitor Cyril Murkin (HK) Ltd.'s Managing Director, Mr. Timothy W. Everest said: “Hong Kong is definitely the sourcing hub of quality fur products in the world, with a substantial number of buyers attending the Fair each year.” He continued: “Fur is in fashion and the demand for fur has never been stronger. The business of fashion garment is absolutely fine while full fur items are facing a bit of correction due to the warm winter last year, which is a critical issue for the industry. Still, we see people looking for an extensive array of fur products.” The optimism that fur is in demand globally was echoed by other exhibitors although an unfavorable weather condition worldwide had affected trade business at the Fair this year. A group of first-time exhibitors from Germany and others from Greece were satisfied with the business results. Two Canadian and British exhibitors were extremely pleased with the organization of the Fair and its first class service. Many exhibitors have already requested spaces for the next year. A veteran US buyer said that the skills and techniques of Hong Kong fur manufacturers are much more sophisticated than a few decades ago and have evolved from the making of commercial items to fashionable designs. Recognizing the Fair as the place to supply the world market with high-end products in terms of style, production technique, quality and service, he believed that the Fair organizer had successfully provided an ideal business platform for the industry with a critical mass of exhibitors and buyers around the globe. More than 2,000 international buyers joined the glittering Fur Gala on the opening night (26 Feb) of the Fair to preview the latest collections from 20 leading Hong Kong fur manufacturers and enjoy a sumptuous Chinese banquet. Ms. Carmela Spinelli, Associate Chair of the Department of Fashion Design of the Parsons School, New York said: “My two students and I have seen the virtuosity of fur which was very much in evidence at the Gala evening. We have seen the ultimate in what fur can be, in the aspects of the combination of techniques, as well as the different layers of fur enriched with an assortment of details including embroidery, crystals and lace. The catwalk has successfully stimulated and inspired the younger generation and my students enjoyed it very much.” She continued: “Hong Kong is an exciting market and we would like to see more exchange of information and meet Hong Kong manufacturers to explore things that can be done.” The 2007 Fair has grown in significance with further expansion in the exhibition space this year to accommodate more exhibitors. Exhibition space increased by 21% to over 24,000 square meters to accommodate around 230 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions, representing a 13% growth over last year. The biggest ever of its kind in Hong Kong and the largest in Asia, the exhibition highlighted a wide variety of products including high quality fur fashion, processed pelt and accessories. Next year's Fair will be held from February 25 to 28 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
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| 即時發佈 05.03.2007
亞洲最具規模皮草展氣氛良好 「香港國際毛皮時裝展覽會」於3月1日假香港會議展覽中心圓滿閉幕，氣氛良好。為期四天的展覽會吸引了來自世界各地共5,569名買家進場參觀及採購，預期訂單總額達18.8億港元 (2.41億美元)。 主辦機構香港毛皮業協會表示，香港以外地區的主要買家依次來自:
香港毛皮業協會主席王象志先生指出：「雖然登記買家人數較去年減少，但是會場貿易氣氛一如去年樂觀，進場買家人數反映目前的市場表現與2005年相若；場內買家均認真地研究展品，預訂貨辦，為來季作好準備。」 他認為：「去年底溫暖的冬天導致皮草存貨量上升，很多買家對來季的需求持觀望態度。但是，在近期的主要毛皮拍賣會上，原料價格出現合理調整，回復至消費者可以接受的健康水平，已為市場帶來憧憬，促使業界積極籌劃來季的新產品設計。」 參展商萬勤皮草貿易(香港)有限公司董事艾禮添先生指出：「香港素來是全球優質皮草的採購中心，所以每年均會吸引大批買家蒞臨毛皮展參觀。」 他續稱：「皮草繼續是時裝界的寵兒，市場需求殷切。雖然，去年底溫暖的氣候影響了毛皮大衣的銷量，但是，皮草時裝的銷售成績理想，多元化的毛皮製品深受市場歡迎。」 其他參展商對毛皮的前景同樣樂觀，首度參展的德國展商，以及其他包括來自希臘的製造商，對參展成績都感到滿意；兩位分別來自加拿大及英國的參展商對主辦機構的高質素服務讚不絕口，很多參展商並經已要求預訂明年的展位。 一名資深的美國買家認為，香港毛皮製造商的產品素質及工藝愈益精湛，並已成功從數十年前的普通商品，蛻變成高級時尚的皮草時裝；香港毛皮展是全球優質皮草的重要採購中心，在款式、加工技術、品質及服務等各方面執世界牛耳，其主辦機構成功建立優厚的貿易平台，讓業界聚首一堂，共拓商機。 此外，展覽會開幕日舉行的「皮草之夜」吸引了來自世界各地逾2,000名國際買家出席欣賞皮草「秀」中20家香港毛皮製造商最新設計的皮草系列，並享受豐富中式晚宴。 美國著名時裝設計學府Parsons School of Design, New York的時裝設計系副院長Carmela Spinelli女士指出：「『皮草之夜』充分展示香港皮草商的超卓工藝，以及毛皮的動人姿釆，包括融合了不同技巧的加工技術，以及層次豐富，綴以精緻刺繡、水晶及花邊的設計，均令我和兩位學生十分陶醉。當晚的時裝『秀』為新一代設計師提供了很多啟發與靈感。」 她續稱：「香港是一個十分精彩的市場，希望與香港的毛皮製造商在將來可以有更多交流機會。」 今年，展覽會的規模為歷屆之冠，展覽面積及參展商數目均有明顯增幅。其中，展覽面積較去年增加了21%至超過24,000平方米，參展商分別來自15個國家及地區，總數逾230家，較去年上升13%。是項展覽會乃香港以及亞洲地區最大型皮草貿易展，展出琳瑯滿目的高級皮草時裝、加工毛皮製品及配飾。 2008年的「香港國際毛皮時裝展覽會」將於2月25至28日假香港會議展覽中心舉行。
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