"Among the markets outside Hong Kong, this edition of the Fashion Week saw the highest buyer attendance from Mainland China, Indonesia and the US, showing that the sourcing sentiment in both mature and emerging markets has remained unaffected. Among emerging markets, buyer attendance from Russia recorded an increase. The results also highlight that despite economic uncertainties, global buyers still value Hong Kong's position as an unrivalled sourcing hub for global fashion traders and retailers."

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the 50th edition of HKTDC Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter wrapped up at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The four-day fair was held from January 14 to 17, 2019 and attracted nearly 13,000 buyers from 78 countries and regions.

Among the markets outside Hong Kong, this edition of the Fashion Week saw the highest buyer attendance from Mainland China, Indonesia and the US, showing that the sourcing sentiment in both mature and emerging markets has remained unaffected. Among emerging markets, buyer attendance from Russia recorded an increase. The results also highlight that despite economic uncertainties, global buyers still value Hong Kong's position as an unrivalled sourcing hub for global fashion traders and retailers.

Informative seminars and presentations attract new, old buyers

Information-sharing events during the Fashion Week included: "The Visionary Fashion Trends for Spring/Summer 2020" presentation by leading international fashion forecaster Fashion Snoops, as well as seminars exploring issues such as sustainable development in the fashion industry, the cotton market outlook and the latest cotton textile technologies.

Industry players from emerging markets showed enthusiasm for Fashion Week, including Urszula Tomaszewska-Kislo from Poland who visited the event for the first times. She operates 30 shops in Poland together with an online store selling clothing under her own brand. The show deepened the Polish buyer’s understanding of current fashion trends and provided it a good platform for sourcing high-quality goods. The brand not only found four potential clothing suppliers and garments but also placed an onsite order for $10,000 worth of women's sweaters offered by a supplier from Mainland China.

Cloud-based Job Order System to deal with costs, stock issues

The fashion industry needs to deal with challenges arising from rising costs and smaller orders. iGarment (Hong Kong) addresses these issues through the development of an innovative cloud-based garment production coordination system. Participating in the Fashion Week for Fall/Winter for the first time this year, the brand showcased its iGarment cloud-based Job Order System that covers everything from sample development to production progress and shipping.

Factory visit for practical experience

During the first two days of the fair, iGarment met more than 100 buyers, exhibitors and designers from Hong Kong, Mainland China and Southeast Asia. To understand their needs, the company arranged visits to those factories that have adopted its system. Due to the overwhelming response from buyers, iGarment has already decided to return to the fair next year.

Contest for local designers invites applications

Since 1977, The HKTDC has been organising the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers' Contest (YDC) to unearth talented local designers. This year's competition will be held during CENTRESTAGE in September, and is now open for application.