The 2018 edition of the APLF Leather & Materials+, Fashion Access and Cashmere World takes place March 14-16 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). According to the organisers, the earlier dates will allow professional buyers to source the supplies, materials and components needed to manufacture new designs and place orders for their retail outlets in time for delivery for the Autumn/Winter season later in the year.
Taking place at the same time and same place, buyers are expected to benefit from the synergy of both leather and cashmere as these sectors “experience the same evolution in their processes in view of brands and customers’ demands for sustainability and traceability”, say APLF organisers.
To be held on the third floor of the HKCEC (on the same level as Fashion Access and Cashmere World), Materials+ enters its second year after its successful launch during earlier this year; the event recorded 8,500 visitors from 82 countries, particularly from China, India, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Italy, U.S., Thailand, Australia and Indonesia. Brands attending the show included ASOS, Adidas, Armani, Burberry, Charles & Keith, Chloé, Clarks, Coach, Dr Martens, Fila, Gucci, Gap, H&M, Kenzo, Levis, Li & Fung, New Balance, TBS Group, Tumi, Under Armour, VF Corporation, and Wolverine.
As for Fashion Access, the upcoming edition of the event will be divided into three new zones; Brand Avenue, Design Street, and Sourcing Zone, so as to make it more “manageable” for buyers. The 2017 edition was attended by over 10,000 visitors, and the combined figure with APLF Leather & Materials+ was 27,000 according to official figures.
