China market to boost local clothing industry
China's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) will benefit Hong Kong's clothing and fashion industry, as more overseas companies seek local knowledge to enter the market, according to industry officials.
Speaking prior to the Hong Kong Fashion Week - Fall/Winter Collection 2001 trade show, which opens today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, local designer Kevin Yeung said the SAR should establish itself as the 'fashion city' of Asia to take advantage of China's WTO entry.
Mr Yeung, chairman of the Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association, said that as production costs are lower elsewhere, Hong Kong companies need to sustain their recent trend of moving into high-end production and design completion.
'We have to move more to high-end products and designer collections because the profit margin will be better,' Mr Yeung said. 'We also need to be more competitive, and establish Hong Kong as a design centre.
'From a designer's point of view, it [WTO membership] will be good because there will be a lot of competitors entering the Chinese market. But at the same time, they will need to upgrade their products.
'For the time being, the design quality in Hong Kong is still much better than in China. They [foreign companies] will use a lot of Hong Kong designers and local services to help them upgrade their brand names.'
Dr Harry Lee Nai-shee, chairman of the Hong Kong Garment Manufacturing Association, agrees there are advantages, but not immediately.
'There will be a lot more retailing going into China, and Hong Kong manufacturers will have a chance to compete more openly in the market. But right now, consumer power is still not there. My guess is it will take five to 10 years.'
The chief of TAL Apparel was quick to point out, however, the value of the 'Made in Hong Kong' label. In the first 10 months of last year, Hong Kong's total exports of clothing and accessories stood at $155.6 billion, and is on track to surpass 1999's total of $173.5 billion.
'For the export market, the 'Made in Hong Kong' label still has some value - especially for designer-type labels. One reason people buy in Hong Kong is because of the quota system and the quality of the goods.'
Dr Lee said the 800 exhibitors - 509 from Hong Kong - underline the importance of Hong Kong in the fashion industry.
One of the highlights of the fair is the Hong Kong Fashion Extravaganza tonight at 9 pm.
In a salute to the movie icons who have defined style and influenced fashion and beauty, nine Hong Kong designers will showcase collections on three cinematic themes: Harlequin Romance, Belle Epoque and Starlight Boulevard.
The collections come from Modele de Prudence, Terra Rosalis, Kevin Yeung, Cecilia Yau, Danny Yu, Doriano, Bonita Cheung, Arthur Lam and Walter Ma. In line with the 'film noir' theme, the dress code for the show is black and white.
The Asia Pacific Fashion Designers' Show, tomorrow at 11 am, features collections from 22 of the region's 'most innovative' designers from Thailand, India, Indonesia, Australia, Hong Kong and the mainland.
Five of Hong Kong's top designers - Walter Ma, Flora Cheong-leen, Ika and William Tang and Silvio Chan - present their collections on Thursday.
Other highlights include 12 fashion shows on various themes, and the final is the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers' Contest.
Seminars will be an added feature. The Woolmark Company will present spring 2002 colour and fabric trends, while fur trends will be highlighted by the Hong Kong Fur Federation. Peclers Paris will discuss consumer attitudes, and Prima Design Systems will discuss the impact of e-technology on clothing development.
Graphic: FAS12gsp
