The on-line Design-A-Bag Competition was introduced only last year and has already become an established event to judge by both the number and quality of designs sent in for Design-A-Bag 2008.

Designers and design students from 22 countries have submitted almost 200 entries. They come from across the globe: from Australia to Venezuala. Hong Kong is, of course, well represented, in terms of number of entries; so is France, Singapore, Taiwan and the UK.

The categories have been altered somewhat for the current event. 'Fit' and 'Party' are retained from 2007 but two new ones have been introduced, 'Dream Teens' and 'The Malebag'.

Entries from across the categories have been good, although Dream Teens has proved especially popular.

There are prizes! The Best Overall Design winner receives US$1,000 plus Amethyst Hand Bag Library Software. All category winners receive US$500 in cash and, for the Designers Group winners in the 'Fit', 'Party' and 'Dream Teens' categories will also receive PeclersParis Fashion Trend Book.

In addition, all prize winning entries, plus many pre-selected others, are featured in the Convention Foyer at Fashion Access. The Competition certainly appears to have inspired some entrants to move on to other challenges. Mr Elio Lai, winner of the Designers Group, for Party, in March 2007 exhibited at Fashion Access in October 2007 with his company 63 Frames (he also designs eyewear) and won the Best of APLF Award for the Best Stand Design.

Recently, he won an award for designing a matching bag and shoe set at the 8th Footwear Design Competition Hong Kong: an event featuring APLF as a sponsor.

To view partial of pre-selected drawing entries, please click here.