The separation of the trade fairs marks a coming of age for Hong Kong as a fashion capital according to Winny Siu, a media relations officer with event organiser, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).

'The World Boutique is a new concept designed to meet the needs of buyers looking for smaller quantities of premium brand name items,' Ms Siu says, noting that the original event has changed little in the 20 years it has been staged.

'Hong Kong Fashion Week still serves the purpose of fulfilling orders for mass merchandise.'

The trade show ranks as a major calendar event for the industry to source clothing for the upcoming autumn season, but the organisers admit it is not easy to place a dollar value on the actual amount of deals signed at the fair.

The best indicators of the trade show's success is the strong presence by international groups, with broad representation from European, Asian and North American companies. These firms represent a cross-section of the clothing industry, ranging from manufacturing and wholesaling to retail.

'The rationale for splitting the fair into two separate trade events is that Hong Kong's fashion industry has been going for two decades already, and it has come to a stage that the original designer labels are quite mature and we want to promote these labels to the world,' Ms Siu says.

'We are trying to organise the World Boutique event to focus on the designers and their collections, but of course we welcome international participation.'

She adds that all fashion shows and trend seminars would be grouped under the events slated for the World Boutique. This includes a comprehensive fashion show schedule featuring 18 events for local and international presentations.

In total, more than 900 exhibitors will be taking part in the Hong Kong Fashion Week, with 44 per cent from overseas and 56 per cent local.

Last year, more than 19,000 buyers attended.

The World Boutique will feature 179 exhibitors representing 270 fashion labels. Products featured range from apparel, children's wear, watches, jewellery, shoes and accessories to lifestyle products, such as tableware and houseware.

Organisers say it is difficult to project how many people will attend the World Boutique, but point out that the event has been heavily promoted to buyers in Hong Kong and abroad.

Based on confirmations of attendance at the seven seminars scheduled during the four-day trade event, indicate that the event will be well patronised.

'So far, the response has been really good,' Ms Siu says. 'We have had hundreds of responses.'

As a draw-card to the World Boutique, the HKTDC has stacked the deck with special seminars featuring high-profile speakers. Visitors should take special note of today's seminar, 'Better Product Development Through Design Services', featuring five prominent designers from the Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association.

Discussions will focus on why design services are important in enhancing a company's marketability. The seminar gets under way in rooms 404 to 405 between 3pm and 4.30pm.

Tomorrow's seminar, 'Chinese Market Arts - Oriental Passion Western Harmony', will feature Alan Chan Design Company creative director Alan Chan. Held in rooms 404 to 405, starting at 4.30pm, the seminar will look at the relationship between Chinese arts and design and brand building.

Friday's seminar, 'Fashion Photography and Services', in rooms 603 to 604 at 3pm, features Wing Shya, director of Shya-la-la Workshop. The seminar will look at the relationship between fashion and photography, and will introduce different photographic techniques and trends. All three seminars will be held in Cantonese, with simultaneous interpretation in Putonghua and English.

The Hong Kong Fashion Week enjoys billing as a forum for the sourcing of mass merchandise fashions.

To help buyers work their way through the vast product areas, the organisers have arranged shopping forums divided into product groups.

These include the Fashion Gallery and the Garment and Accessories Mart. Special sections include the Body and Intimate Wear Zone, with 16 exhibitors, and Bridal and Evening Wear, with about 10 exhibitors.

The Hong Kong Fashion Week will be held in the Hong Kong Exhibition Centre's vast exhibition Halls 1, 2, 3, and the World Boutique will be held in Hall 5.

Seminars scheduled under the Hong Kong Fashion Week have been pared down from previous years, and will focus less upon fashion and more upon macro issues in the textile industry. They include the '2003/04 Round Up and Trends Introduction' presented by Sue Evans, deputy creative director with the Worth Global Style network. Her presentation is on Tuesday in room 201 at 11am.

There will also be a China retail market study tour and a survey findings presentation, which reflect views on markets and fashion trends, gathered from attendees during the week.

'These activities are more oriented towards trade relating to the textile and garment industry,' says Ms Siu.