The 33rd edition of Bangkok International Fashion Fair and Bangkok International Leather Fair 2015 (BIFF&BIL 2015) took off on March 11. The grand opening ceremony was held at Fashion Show Stage, in Muang Thong Thani. The theme in this edition is: 'Catching the Creative Spirit'. The fair has on display, the best products, materials, design elements across segments found in Southeast Asia.
Apiradi Tantraporn, Deputy Minister of Commerce inaugurated the fair with a welcome speech. The opening event was followed by a performances and fashion show by exhibitors. The official launch of METI or projects of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, who participated in BIFF&BIL 2015 also took place with a pres briefing.
METI is a collaborative project with the Government of Japan, to support business owners with exhibition and distribution channels through international websites. Nuntawan Sakuntanaga, Director General of Department of International Trade Promotion co-hosted the press conference with Chairperson of METI. The briefing ended with a fashion show of products of the participants of METI project.
Speaking on the occasion Sakuntanaga,said, "Since the organisation of the first BIFF&BIL, the Department of International Trade Promotion or DITP has continuously sought new methods and strategies to support and promote business operators in order to enhance the business capacity both on national and international level. DITP has always been the mediator between stakeholders in the industry such as busiess owners, production, designers and consumers. Therefore, BIFF&BIL has proudly evolved into a hub or the center of fashion and leather goods."
To ensure that BIFF & BIL 2015 continues to be effective and marches towards the next level, the department hired consultants from abroad to study and recommend approaches to improve the event. As a result, the department came up with a fresh identity under the concept ‘Catching the Creative Spirit’. It focuses on bringing innovative idea selection in fashion and leather goods from Thailand and overseas operators. The department will also adjust the format of the event to keep up with changing patterns of business. The exhibition will be divided by new products and by fashion style, so that the buyers can easily access the products and make decisions quickly.
The event also features an exhibition to showcase Thailand and other countries readiness in entering the AEC, providing raw materials, technical development, production, design and new approaches of presentation. The department plans to invite more participants from abroad, especially countries in ASEAN to add more diversity and make the event interesting.
Zones in the forefront
The new zoning concept at BIFF&BIL 33 stages four zones, based on the style of fashion. The ‘Salon’ is for formal fashion and leather products. The ‘Street’ is set for casual fashion and leather items. The ‘Heritage’ shows unique fashion and leather styles of each country, such as silk, textiles and handicrafts. The ‘Source’ represents raw materials, textile fibers, textile products, machinery and chemicals for the manufacturing of all kinds of fashion products. A great number of exciting activities are also planned, including ‘Trend Forum’ to present the global fashion trends; ‘Eco Fashion’ to exhibit fashion created keeping in mind environmental concerns and ‘One-Stop Supply-Chain Integration’ for business match-making. The new zone will allow buyers to bring a desired sketchpad to show and the prototype will be made on order and they can receive it during the event. In addition, conferences and seminars are prepared to provide knowledge on fashion and leather by professionals and by world-class fashion influencers.
DITP’s efforts to attract buyers and visitors, has seen a significant increase in exhibitors. This year, a total of 527 exhibitors are participating with 831 booths, a 17.5 per cent increase from last year. International exhibitors from more than 10 countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos PDR, Vietnam, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Bangladesh, Israel, Italy, Spain, Germany and Sweden are at the event. Thailand is globally accepted as the center of fashion and leather industry that offers complete business cycle solution. In 2014, Thailand’s export value of the product in this sector is worth $7.4 billion (239 Billion THB).
