Fashion Access and Cashmere World, tradeshows in Hong Kong dedicated to fashion, cashmere, and other fine fibres, which were held from March 13 to 15, 2018, ended on a positive note. The expos attracted over 10,000 international visitors from 85 countries. They were held during the peak sourcing season for fashion, cashmere, and fine fibres.

Around 227 exhibitors from 20 countries and regions including well-known international brands such as Otto Kessler, LSR International, Cerutti - Massimo Cerutti, Simpson London, Regal, Impression Imtopia, as well as young enterprises and start-ups participated at Fashion Access and praised the show as one of the most effective trade platforms at this time of the year for the fashion industry.

Fashion Access is where buyers can find OEM suppliers in the specially-designed Sourcing Zone, as well as brands in both Brand Avenue and Design Street. Buyers come to Fashion Access for finished goods and at the same time visit APLF to find leather, materials and trend inspiration. This year, the organisers invited more than 50 buyers from 21 countries and introduced them to a large number of suppliers matching their needs.

"Is the digitisation of footwear production and retail inevitable?" This question was among the issues that were discussed in depth by experts from across the footwear industry during the fourth Global Footwear Retail Conference (GFRC) sponsored by Tencel and ISA Tantec and co-organised by APLF and the Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America (FDRA).

Three winners were selected for the 'design a bag online' competition at Fashion Access, while several companies were bestowed the Best of APLF Awards (BOAA) for their innovative products or applications.

Winners of the bag competition included Hong Kong-based designer Chan Tak Kei, for her playful, imaginative jellyfish bag and Singaporean Ho Kuan Teck for its triangle, eight-shaped, smart ladies handbag.

Among the winners of the BOAA, Simpson London’s hand-stitched, traditional bridle-finish vegetable-tanned leather collection was awarded the Best Bag & Small Leathergoods Collection for its classic and simplicity while in the Best Men’s Footwear Collection Numero Uno was awarded for its hybrid, innovative athleisure collection.