Asian economies, certainly the larger ones, are holding up reasonably well and probably will continue to do so even with a quite severe recession elsewhere. A BBC item covered this point which is expanded in 'Foot in the door'. Asian markets are becoming more 'democratised' which, in this case, sees markets trending upwards in terms of design and quality. Read Douglas Hsia's take on this development.
Mike Redwood's Cool Hunting series takes us from Dr Martens boots to New Zealand and to whether man-made fibres really have reached the point where they are 'as good as' natural fibres. This last point is covered again with a profile on Italian leather maker DMD, who have a long pedigree in traditional leather tanning; and Incusa, a Spanish company breaking new grounds. More still: a preview of the Ancaplast seminar, entitled 'Total Eco-Friendly Leather'.
Hong Kong bag manufacturer Jaslen are seeking new markets. They have a sizable design department: just the sort of place entrants in the Design-A-Bag Competition 2009 might aspire to. Winners of the 2008 event tell us a bit about themselves and how the Competition helped them in their careers. Entry forms for the 2009 event are available - on-line, of course.
"Understanding Leather", the hit seminar organised by APLF and BLC, will shortly be announcing dates and details of additional events to be held in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Another successful APLF event is Prime Source Forum. Exciting sponsorship opportunities are available, but hurry, the slots are being filled fast.
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Hong Kong is often thought of as a production hub in the fashion business: a place which interprets (even copies!) the ideas of others. That may have had some truth in the past but today it is firmly established as a Fashion City in its own right....and, yes, it remains a businss hub also.
