Hong Kong: Gateway to Global Trade
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From USA-ITA OFF THE CUFF, February 2012 (Volume 3, Issue 2)
In January, USA-ITA’s Communications Director Samantha Sault traveled to Hong Kong to attend Hong Kong Fashion Week, as well as meet with UBM Asia to learn more about the upcoming Prime Source Forum.
You know how important Hong Kong—and of course China—is to our industry. Increasingly, Hong Kong brings together industry executives and experts not just from Asia, but from all over the world, to source products, learn about apparel trends, and talk about the issues the industry is facing.
Gown by Shanghai's Qi Gang, at Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter 2012
Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter 2012, along with the Hong Kong World Boutique, featuring high-end international brands, is the largest fashion event in Asia and the second-largest fashion event in the world. Hosted by the Hong Kong Trade and Development Council twice a year, the event brings together high-end designers, apparel and accessory brands, buyers, and press from dozens of countries, to one of the most important cities in the world for the fashion industry. For a re-cap of the trends and designers to watch, as well as some Hong Kong shopping tips for your next trip, read Samantha’s trend report in Washington Life magazine.
If you missed Hong Kong Fashion Week, don’t worry, because Hong Kong will be the home of another important industry event in March—Prime Source Forum. We got the scoop from the organizers of Prime Source Forum, which coincides with Materials Manufacturing & Technology, featuring innovations in leather materials, components, technologies, and services, as well as Fashion Access, featuring bags, footwear, leather goods, garments, and a full range of lifestyle accessories.
We encourage our members to attend Prime Source Forum, which will bring together more than 400 senior executives from over 20 countries to discuss the challenges and opportunities that manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers are facing in the apparel industry supply chain. It is a forum, not a conference, so attendees will register as delegates and take an active role in the meetings. Key topics include the outlook for the fashion industry and global financial uncertainty, as well as challenges and opportunities for sourcing. USA-ITA’s Julie Hughes will moderate a panel on the globalization of retail and the impact on the international supply chain.
For more information on Prime Source Forum, click here.
NEXT MONTH: While in Hong Kong, we also met with SGS Hong Kong to learn how U.S. companies can successfully navigate the complex requirements to enter China’s market. Stay tuned for the OFF THE CUFF March 2012 issue to read this informative article!