(CN) Fur in Hong Kong

[Guest guest]

South China Morning Post

Sunday January 22 2001

Fur sure by Andrew Glenn

 

Every year the Fur Federation of Hong Kong holds its annual ball at the Regent.

If the same event was staged, say, at the Waldorf Astoria in New York, you would

have PETA zealots protesting outside. But the beautiful people came out in force

in their furry finest. Ad gal Barbara Yeh came with steady Terry Ng in what

looked like a rabbit coat, with a paisley-print Celine top underneath. Novelist

(and ballroom permanent resident) Eunice Lam was one part Inuit and one part

yeti, which she was more of is anyone's guess. Radio boss Kam Kwok Leung only

sported a fur hat, while local couturier Benny Yeung said it all in his fox

collar. Feathers boutique owner Bonnie Ho came covered in the stuff.

 

--

 

Monday January 16 2001

China market to boost local clothing industry by Al Campbell

 

China's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) will benefit Hong Kong's

clothing and fashion industry, as more overseas companies seek local knowledge

to enter the market, according to industry officials.

 

Speaking prior to the Hong Kong Fashion Week - Fall/Winter Collection 2001 trade

show, which opens today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, local

designer Kevin Yeung said the SAR should establish itself as the 'fashion city'

of Asia to take advantage of China's WTO entry.

 

Mr Yeung, chairman of the Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association, said that as

production costs are lower elsewhere, Hong Kong companies need to sustain their

recent trend of moving into high-end production and design completion.

 

'We have to move more to high-end products and designer collections because the

profit margin will be better,' Mr Yeung said. 'We also need to be more

competitive, and establish Hong Kong as a design centre.

 

'From a designer's point of view, it [WTO membership] will be good because there

will be a lot of competitors entering the Chinese market. But at the same time,

they will need to upgrade their products.

 

'For the time being, the design quality in Hong Kong is still much better than

in China. They [foreign companies] will use a lot of Hong Kong designers and

local services to help them upgrade their brand names.'

 

Dr Harry Lee Nai-shee, chairman of the Hong Kong Garment Manufacturing

Association, agrees there are advantages, but not immediately.

 

'There will be a lot more retailing going into China, and Hong Kong

manufacturers will have a chance to compete more openly in the market. But right

now, consumer power is still not there. My guess is it will take five to 10

years.'

 

The chief of TAL Apparel was quick to point out, however, the value of the 'Made

in Hong Kong' label. In the first 10 months of last year, Hong Kong's total

exports of clothing and accessories stood at $155.6 billion, and is on track to

surpass 1999's total of $173.5 billion.

 

'For the export market, the 'Made in Hong Kong' label still has some value -

especially for designer-type labels. One reason people buy in Hong Kong is

because of the quota system and the quality of the goods.'

 

Dr Lee said the 800 exhibitors - 509 from Hong Kong - underline the importance

of Hong Kong in the fashion industry.

 

One of the highlights of the fair is the Hong Kong Fashion Extravaganza tonight

at 9 pm.

 

In a salute to the movie icons who have defined style and influenced fashion and

beauty, nine Hong Kong designers will showcase collections on three cinematic

themes: Harlequin Romance, Belle Epoque and Starlight Boulevard.

 

The collections come from Modele de Prudence, Terra Rosalis, Kevin Yeung,

Cecilia Yau, Danny Yu, Doriano, Bonita Cheung, Arthur Lam and Walter Ma. In line

with the 'film noir' theme, the dress code for the show is black and white.

 

The Asia Pacific Fashion Designers' Show, tomorrow at 11 am, features

collections from 22 of the region's 'most innovative' designers from Thailand,

India, Indonesia, Australia, Hong Kong and the mainland.

 

Five of Hong Kong's top designers - Walter Ma, Flora Cheong-leen, Ika and

William Tang and Silvio Chan - present their collections on Thursday.

 

Other highlights include 12 fashion shows on various themes, and the final is

the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers' Contest.

 

Seminars will be an added feature. The Woolmark Company will present spring 2002

colour and fabric trends, while fur trends will be highlighted by the Hong Kong

Fur Federation. Peclers Paris will discuss consumer attitudes, and Prima Design

Systems will discuss the impact of e-technology on clothing development.

 

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