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Asian buyers keen to source latest European fashion items at exhibition

Wilson Lau

This month's edition of the Asia Fashion Jewellery and Accessories Fair will greet visitors with a new look in a more spacious area at the recently expanded Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.

The fair, which is Asia's largest trade event dedicated to fashion jewellery and accessories, runs from today until Sunday alongside the Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair.

This arrangement enables both exhibitors and buyers to conduct business more efficiently. 'The two fairs complement each other,' says Celine Lau Siu-man, director of jewellery fairs at organiser UBM Asia. 'There is a great deal of crossover between the fine and fashion jewellery subsectors. The exhibitors and buyers like the arrangement that both fairs are held under one roof. Sourcing is facilitated because the fairs provide a much bigger selection of designs. The broad range of materials available at the fairs represents a great source of inspiration for designers.'

Last year, the fashion jewellery fair was held at AsiaWorld-Expo.

More than 450 exhibitors from 25 countries and regions will present their newest creations. Companies from Dubai and Greece are new participants. Reflecting an optimistic outlook on the world's economic recovery, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands and Turkey are back after a year's absence. Fashion jewellery items include pieces in base metals, silver jewellery and designs with semi-precious and synthetic coloured gemstones. Fashion accessories include belts, fashion watches and handbags. Materials for fashion jewellery encompass loose beads, natural and synthetic gemstones and other natural materials.

The fashion jewellery fair is held in March, June and September. Lau says the June edition traditionally attracts a large number of European companies to exhibit their latest collections. 'Many buyers in Southeast Asia are keen on visiting the fair for sourcing the latest designs from Europe,' she adds.

Companies from countries, including France, Italy and Spain, specialise in unique and exclusive designs. France and Spain will be grouped in a pavilion strategically located in the concourse outside Hall 5.

In addition to more than 22,000 buyers' badges sent out in advance, more than 1,500 buyers from 59 countries and regions have pre-registered online. More than 70 per cent are from overseas.

Lau adds: 'The pre-registration figure is very encouraging. It further confirms that the fair enjoys market recognition worldwide.

'I believe the steady economic recovery over the past few months, especially in Asia, will stimulate purchases at the fair. Buyers should not miss this opportunity to update themselves with the latest market trends and explore collaboration opportunities with potential suppliers.'

A wide selection of eco-friendly products will be available from exhibitors from the Philippines, where a manufacturers' association has launched a project that promotes the use of organic materials, including wood and sea shells.

The fair also brings together the world's three largest crystal manufacturers: Swarovski in Austria, Asfour in Egypt and Preciosa in the Czech Republic. Sales of fashion jewellery and accessories have remained positive. 'Exhibitors at the March edition said the demand from buyers was much stronger compared with 2009,' Lau says.

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