HONG KONG, June 24 /PRNewswire/ --

Buoyed on by the success of the previous Fashion Access (FA), the next event, scheduled 2 - 4 October 2008, will focus on the upcoming season under the slogan 'Let's Go Summer 2009'.

The earlier event, held at the end of March 2008, heralded the growing importance of the twice-a-year exhibition in determining trends across a wide range of lifestyle accessories for forthcoming seasons. It is a unique event that encompasses bags, footwear, travelware, leather goods and, of course, fashion accessories.

Fashion Access is now the 'must attend' event for exhibitors and buyers alike who have to stay in the fast lane of world fashion.

Fashion Access was attended by more than 14,000 buyers over the three day period last March. Exhibitors were impressed by the level of buyers who visited their stands. In particular, many were delighted to note a substantial increase of buyers from Japan: 1,200, and 20% up over the previous year.

TRENDS, TRENDS, TRENDS

Trends have always been a driving force in the fashion and related businesses but today they matter more than ever before. Just keeping up with the pace is hard enough: staying ahead would be impossible without the help and guidance offered by the many areas around the exhibition devoted to trends forecasting.

Launched last March, the Eco-Luxury Zone highlights the appeal of a growing number of eco-conscious consumers for products that make them feel good and do not harm the planet or their ethical conscience. These include bags and accessories made of natural fibers, bio-degradable or recycled materials and unique handmade products and manufacturing processes that preserve ancestral crafts and provide work to under-privileged populations.

This eco-theme will be further highlighted in the programme of talks and seminars scheduled during the fair (Details to be announced). These events pass on insights and advice from some of the most successful people in the industry.

BRAZIL SEES OPPORTUNITIES AT FASHION ACCESS

Brazilian companies are gearing up to increase their presence at FA. Heitor Klein, Executive Director of Abicalcados, the organisers of the Brazilian pavilion declared, on their previous experience, "The exhibitors in the Brazil pavilion met with buyers from Japan, Indonesia, Australia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Hungary, Greece, India, Singapore, France, and of course China. The Brazilian exhibitors were satisfied with the business they made: they received orders on site worth USD 206 thousand and estimate sales for the next 12 months at USD 900 thousand."

To underscore this success the Brazilian pavilion will be twice the size of the one last March.

DIARY ENTRY

Fashion Access 'Let's Go Summer 2009' runs for three days, 2 - 4 October 2008, at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre in Wanchai, the pulsating heart of Hong Kong's commercial and entertainment area.

Web site: http://www.aplf.com

For fair details, Ms Perrine Ardouin, Senior Event Manager, perrine@cmpasia.com, or for media enquiries, Ms Jean Lai, Senior Marketing Communications Executive, jeanlai@cmpasia.com; or APLF Limited, +1-852-2827-6211, fax, +1-852-2827-7831