Immediate Release
1 March, 2008
Asia's Biggest Fur Fair
Concluded on an Upbeat Mood
The region’s most important fur trade event -- the Hong Kong International Fur & Fashion Fair, closed its curtain on February 28 amidst a positive mood. The four-day event attracted 5,200 local and international buyers and the top five visiting countries and regions (excluding Hong Kong) are China, Korea, Japan, Russia and the US. According to the Fair organizer, the Hong Kong Fur Federation, the total confirmed business orders achieved amounted to US$ 142 million, which was an increase of 35% over last year.
Ms. Nora Tse, Chairlady of the Hong Kong Fur Federation noted that the Hong Kong International Fur & Fashion Fair has persisted to be the excellent platform where worldwide suppliers showcase their latest innovations while whetting the appetite of global buyers looking for upbeat fur inspirations.
“It is encouraging to see serious business having taken place here. Many exhibitors are very satisfied with their on-the-spot orders received and contacts made, including a first-time exhibitor from Turkey who told us they achieved unexpected results with orders placed mostly by Russian buyers,” said Ms. Tse.
“Indeed, we have more buyers coming from Eastern Europe in the last two years, notably from Russia and Ukraine. And the number of buyers from Russia, which increased by 27% as compared to last year, illustrates their growing prominence in the global fur trade,” continued Ms. Tse.
Mr. Timothy Everest, spokesman of the Hong Kong Fur Federation, shared the same view that Russia has become a buoyant market.
“Russia is definitely a wonderful emerging market as there are 8 months a year when consumers there can wear fur, in fact, together with the growing demand of the China market, they have supported the leap of fur prices recently,” elaborated Mr. Everest.
“Fur has become a life-style product and its trade is all about confidence. The hot selling items this year are high fur like mink, sable, chinchilla, and fancy foxes. With mink hitting a high price level, there are also growing interest in squirrel and weasel, which reflects that with fashionable colours and styles, all different fur are coming into play,” he added.
Mr. Everest further noted that while Russia and China are markets expanding in an explosive way which got everyone’s attention, there is as well vibrant trade in the traditional markets.
“The American still buy, though with an uncertain economy outlook, they do not purchase in huge quantity and their stand is more conservative, but that doesn’t mean they are not interested in fur design. In fact, we have one of the biggest US fur buyers visiting us at this event,” assured Mr. Everest.
While for the other two traditional markets Japan and Korea, Mr. Everest pointed out that they are undergoing a changing phase, and as traditional markets go up and down, they can be revitalized.
“The major fur distribution channel in these countries has shifted from traditional stores to high fashion boutique, it is notable that buyers are buying a range of fashion where fur apparel is one of the components. This is good news to Hong Kong furriers as they have become excelled at offering hip fur designs, so it is up to them to target this new group of customers,” concluded Mr. Everest.
Among the regular buyers to this Fair was Mr. Frank Zilberkweit, Chairman of Polar Furs Ltd., London who has been collaborating with Hong Kong suppliers for a long time.
“We buy here because we can find fashionable products with good workmanship, good quality and fair prices. We also have Hong Kong manufacturers producing some very complicated collections for our label which are very easy to make mistake, but they are managing it perfectly well,” assured Mr. Zilberkweit.
Mr. Zilberkweit noted that the market outlook has been very positive in the UK, and the sales of their company has gone up by 25%. Items which have caught his attention at this Fair encompassed reversible silk raincoat, knitted apparel, as well some nicely-made weasel and mink garments.
Ms. Pirkko Rantanen-Kervinen, Managing Director of Finnish Fur Sales, was at the Fair to promote their fur skin. With their customers exhibiting as well at the event, she commented that the Fair is an essential hub where industry players can keep track with the latest market, product and technology development.
“Important technique keeps coming out, enabling fur garment to become more lightweight and soft-looking, thus easy to wear. Another strong trend is the long-hair furs like from foxes or raccoon which can be used to combine with other textile for even more style variations,” she observed.
Meanwhile, Italian buyer Mr. Norberto Albertalli from Albertalli SpA added that the Hong Kong International Fur & Fashion Fair is among the most important fur trade event which industry players cannot afford to miss.
“This Fair is about real business and it is notable that the biggest part of the world’s production is taking place in this region. With its wide array of exhibits, I must say that this Fair has improved year by year and getting more and more exciting,” said Mr. Albertalli.
Equally astonished by the full-fledged products on display was Mr. Miguel Cruz, Faculty of Fashion Design, Parsons The New School For Design.
“Fur is a sensual material and it is well illustrated by the cornucopia of products displayed here. This is such a dynamic Fair and it is impressing to see how exhibitors are all willing to explore the frontier of fur which make fur ever-more fashionable and exciting,” enthused Mr. Cruz.
The 2008 Fair had grown further this year to occupy a total of 25,000 square meters which accommodated 245 exhibitors from 18 countries and regions. The biggest ever of its kind in Hong Kong and the largest in Asia Pacific, 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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