Players from both garment and fashion industries gathered in Hong Kong Tuesday (Jan 13th) to open the first twin-exhibition for the two industries after the implementation of Hong Kong/Mainland Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA).

"Hong Kong Fashion Week and World Boutique offer a niche marketplace not only for importers, distributors, leading store buyers and potential licensees. They also provide a special opportunity for international buyers, fashion houses and brand owners who will benefit from CEPA through doing business with Hong Kong companies," said Chairman of Hong Kong's Trade Development Council's (TDC) Garment Advisory Committee, Christopher Cheng, at the joint opening ceremony for the two fairs on Tuesday.

The TDC, organizer of the fairs, has specially invited experts to host seminars on the entry of Hong Kong products into the mainland, logistics and benefits of CEPA to the Hong Kong fashion industry during the event.

World Boutique, Hong Kong, launched for the first time with great success last year, is dedicated to showcasing collections of established as well as up-and-coming fashion designers. It also features a kaleidoscope of fashion accessories including jewelry, bags, watches as well as lifestyle-related products.

This year, the fair drew 190 exhibitors offering over 300 brand names and designers' collections from Hong Kong, Australia, Canada, the Chinese mainland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Macao, Malaysia, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and the United States.

At the same time, the Hong Kong Fashion Week features 983 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions, offering a wide array of mass-market garments, fabrics and accessories for international buyers.

"Such a gathering of dynamic talent, style and ideas, makes it the most important annual promotion for the Hong Kong fashion industry. It also underlines Hong Kong's position as the fashion capital of Asia," Cheng said.

"Hong Kong is a dynamic city, a city with all the energy of the young as well as the young in heart. The fairs will reflect the multi-cultural vitality of our city," he added.

Editor: Wing