2013 Hong Kong International Fur & Fashion Fair

2013 Hong Kong International Fur & Fashion Fair

 

 

A prestigious Fur Fair that is widely recognized by global industry players as the most essential platform for sourcing quality fur garments and raw materials. 

 

 

 

 

Fair Date: Feb. 25, 2013 to Feb. 28, 2013 (a 4-day exhibition)

 

Opening Hours:

 

25 February 9:00 am - 6:00 pm

26-27 February 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

28 February 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Venue: Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre 

Address: 1 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong.

Admission: For Trade Only

 

Post Show Press Release

 

HONG KONG’S FUR FAIR LOOKS TO POST ITS BEST RESULT

IN ITS 30-YEAR HISTORY

 

Projection of nearly US$257 million in total confirmed orders;

sales already up 10% over last year; Attendance up 9%   

 

 

Hong Kong, March 1, 2012 – This past weekend’s Hong Kong International Fur & Fashion Fair produced record-setting results as huge demand and increased attendance helped generate US$257 million in total sales, according to initial calculations announced today.

 

The preliminary tally – which doesn’t include projections for anticipated orders – puts the fair’s total confirmed orders at US$257 million, making it the highest total in the fair’s 30-year-history, said the Hong Kong Fur Federation (HKFF), which has organized the event since 1982.

 

Hong Kong is the biggest fur-trading platform in the world, contributing over 75 percent of the world’s import and export volume, the HKFF said.

 

At US$257 million, the preliminary result is already an increase of 10 percent over last year – and once again signals the strength of Hong Kong being the international sourcing hub, as well as the continued success of the entire fur industry, which reached US$326 million in worldwide sales in 2011.

 

Purchases were constant during the four-day fur fair – one of the biggest fur fairs in the world – as sustained interest from the fashion world has been hugely impactful, continuing to drive demand and push prices of raw materials higher, the HKFF said.

 

“Over the years, the fair’s success in connecting a global network of furriers has drawn much admiration, and this is exactly why Hong Kong has become a mega one-stop shop for international fur fashion buyers,” said Wallace Wong, HKFF’s Chairman.

 

The Hong Kong International Fur & Fashion Fair took place from February 25 to 28, 2012, at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) in Wanchai, Hong Kong, and showcased products and accessories from exhibitors representing 16 countries.

 

Over 7,800 buyers from over 30 countries attended the event – a 9 percent increase over 2011.

 

“It’s been a dream fur fair. In the last 30 years, I don’t think I’ve seen a fair like this,” said Timothy Everest, a HKFF adviser and managing director of Cyril Murkin (HK) Ltd, an international fur trading company.

 

“The fur fair is important to Hong Kong’s furriers as it sets the tone for the year,” added Everest. “Hong Kong’s furriers are continually striving to deliver the best in service, technique and design at affordable prices, and the fair gives us ability to show the local and international community the strengths of our fur industry.”

 

Although the rising costs of raw materials caused the prices of the garments at the fair to jump on average 10 percent, Hong Kong furriers found inventive ways to work and pair the materials to mitigate those rising costs, Everest noted.

 

 “While sable and mink always reign supreme, buyers found all skin types and combinations here and all at the most competitive prices and with famously reliable deliveries,” Everest said.

 

Russia and Korea – two of the biggest fur markets – were the biggest buyers of fur at the fair and helped set the tempo for this year’s sales. To gain even more sales in the future, the HKFF is considering asking three top Russian designers to work with local companies to create exciting furs for the Russian market and stimulate even more demand there.

 

Oleg Gendin, deputy general manager of Slava Zaitsev Luxury, said he and Slava Zaitsev – one of Russia’s most beloved designers who has worked with YSL, Pierre Cardin and other French designers and couturiers – would welcome the opportunity to help regional factories develop new styles for the Russian market.

 

“It can be very successful and a good collaboration,” Gendin said of the proposal.

 

A highlight of the fair was the Hong Kong Fur Gala, which was held Saturday night, February 25, at the HKCEC. Over 1,850 people attended the banquet and fashion show, including actress Chrissie Chau and models Jacqueline Chong and Jessica C. Other important guests included Mr. & Mrs. Vladimir Anatolyevich Kalinin, Consul General of Consulate General of Russian Federation, the number one importing country of Hong Kong fur products; Mr. & Mrs. Torben A. Gettermann, Consul General of Royal Danish Consulate General; Ms. Annikki Arponen, Consul General of Consulate General of Finland; and Mrs. Paola Guida, Trade Commissioner of Italian Trade Commission (I.C.E.).

 

Also on display during the Hong Kong Fur Gala was the HKFF’s public awareness campaign called “Fur By Hong Kong,” a branding effort to heighten global demand while calling attention to the local industry’s pledge of unity, integrity and quality.

 

“Over the last three decades, Hong Kong has evolved from offering good value-for-money products to, nowadays, being the world’s major designer workshop,” Wallace Wong said. “Today ‘Fur by Hong Kong’ has become the icon standing for craftsmanship and design achieved by consistent research and innovation, which all play integral roles in empowering Hong Kong fur fashion to be at the forefront of the global fur arena.”

 

For more information about Hong Kong International Fur & Fashion Fair or Fur by Hong Kong, please contact HKFF’s Brenda Fung at +852 2367-4646 or fur@hkff.org.