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Fresh design inspirations at Asia’s top fashion jewellery & accessories fair
Overseas buyers account for 56% of total attendance |
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HONG KONG – Asia’s leading fashion jewellery and accessories show concluded on September 19 at the AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) with some exhibitors reporting better-than-expected order-writing.
A sourcing event where industry professionals could immerse themselves in the palettes, shapes and styles that would be defining the fashion jewellery and accessories market in Spring/Summer 2020 and beyond, the four-day Asia’s Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Fair – September (9FJ) attracted overseas wholesalers and retailers. International visitors accounted for 56 percent of total attendance – up 6 percentage points from year-ago numbers – underscoring the show’s international appeal.
Reinforcing its firm grasp on the fashion jewellery and accessories world, exhibitions organiser Informa Markets recently launched the B2B platform’s new brand identity: SEASONS | Spring – Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Fair in March and SEASONS | Autumn – Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Fair in September. This brand transformation serves as a more powerful platform for expressing the show’s core calling, which is to stay fresh, relevant and collaborative in a changing market, said David Bondi, Senior Vice President – Asia at Informa Markets.
“SEASONS will bring new energy and excitement to the fashion jewellery and accessories scene,” Bondi shared. “This is more than a brand revisit. SEASONS will offer a new show concept that is modern and focused on the latest trends in the fashion jewellery and accessories world. It has a new floor plan, a new hosted buyers’ programme, and a new panel of conferences on trends and market opportunities.”
In 2020, SEASONS | Spring will be held from March 3 to 6 while SEASONS | Autumn will be scheduled for September 13 to 16. Both editions will take place at the AWE.
More focused buyers
At the recently concluded show, Bondi noted that although there was a dip in attendance due to continuing economic headwinds and the current situation in Hong Kong, the fair drew close to 6,000 unique visitors – with international buyers, excluding China- and Hong Kong-based attendees – accounting for 56 percent of total turnout. “Unique” visitors are only counted once regardless of the number of visits they make during the exhibition period.
These overseas buyers, who came from more than 60 countries and regions, were focused on new product introductions that would likely show up in retail channels in 2020 and beyond.
“We saw a decline in foot traffic, particularly among China-based visitors,” Bondi said. “However, visitor numbers were up for Japan, Turkey, Israel, South America and other markets. A number of exhibitors also reported better-than-expected order-taking onsite.”
One of these exhibitors was Mary Jane P. Torres of Almar Fashion Accessories of the Philippines.
“I am very satisfied with the number of orders and inquiries I have received at this show. I didn’t expect to enter the European market this year,” Torres said. “I like this show since it gives me a platform to meet new and existing buyers from different markets. I am also satisfied with the fair’s [marketing] programme. Despite the challenges this show faced, they pulled in the crowd. The fair had more visitors than I expected.”
In general, orders recorded a drop this year, according to Korea-based exhibitor Dre An. “However, there was an increase in the number of buyers from the US,” said the company, adding that Dre An will be back for the fair’s 2020 edition since “9FJ is the best” in the trade.
In addition to its comprehensive range of product offerings from over 260 companies, the sourcing event also provided an exciting space where attendees connected with industry leaders, influencers and creatives, added Celine Lau, Director of Jewellery Fairs at Informa Markets.
“Our buzz-worthy sessions on design directions, colour trends, 3D printing technologies, visual merchandising strategies and targeted social media marketing were timely and relevant to those who are serious about growing their fashion jewellery and accessories business,” Lau said.
The Small-Order Gallery, a space dedicated to exhibitors offering collections available for purchase in smaller quantities, and Editor’s Choice, which gave a sneak preview of the design trends for Spring/Summer 2020, were also among the fair’s core attractions.
With SEASONS, show attendees should expect an even more exciting sourcing experience, she continued.
“We will introduce new concepts, including Lifestyle Crossover, Young Talents Showcase, Product Parade and more to ensure a rich and inspiring event for industry professionals,” Lau.
SEASONS | Spring in March 2020 will debut with a new floor plan layout, including “In Season”– a space designed for meaningful networking. Pavilions will also be named after their core product selections, namely Modern Metal, Steel Glam, Natural Beauty, Fashion Accents, The Artisans and That’s A Wrap!
What the exhibitors say about 9FJ 2019
“Everyone comes to Hong Kong where one gets to meet many buyers from different markets.” – Anita Rimayanti, Toke Koleksi , Indonesia
“9FJ is the most important [show in the industry].” – Alex Cvijetinovic Sasa, Instyle Asia Ltd, Hong Kong
“[We’ve met] new buyers from South Africa and Ireland. We will participate again in March and September 2020.” – Allen Antigua, United Jewels, Philippines
“This fair is very famous, and everyone attends [this show].” – Neeraj Jain, Emrusa Jewellers, India
“I am satisfied with the fair’s arrangement.” – Liu Jian, Jinjing, China
What the buyers say about 9FJ 2019
“This is a good and convenient place for sourcing.” – Thao Dao, Pearl Passion, Vietnam
“I have found good options and partners.” – Fabricio Orrigo, Thisi, Brazil
“The service and arrangement of the fair are good.” – Jason Brook, Ava Embellish, Australia
“This fair has a wide range of products and exhibitors.” – Pavan Kumar Gupta, Hani Gems, India
“I am satisfied with the exhibitors’ services.” – Thomas Jaeger, Artiqo, Germany
“[This show presents] good opportunities for my business.” – Paddy Butler, Patrick J Butler & Co, Ireland
“I love it. There are lots of suppliers and dealers to do business with.” – Dhara, Ishara Accessories, India
“It’s been a perfect experience for me.” – Ronel Coetzee, Blaize Point Trading 189cc, South Africa
“Everything is well-organised.” – Lazarou Thanos, Season, Greece
“There are many things to see at this show.” – Taeyeon Yang, YP Jewelry, Korea
“We are seeing a better range of products.” – Ahmet Ince, Byzantium Collection Ltd, UK
“Some suppliers are attending this exhibition and I have come to visit and place orders with them.” – En Takai, Toyoshima, Japan
“This fair impresses me. Transportation services are very good; it’s a well-organised event.” – Nitish Bansal, Ishhaara, India
“It’s easy to find the booths and there’s enough space to explore the fair.” – Laura Notaristefano, Time City Holding Ltd, Italy
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Appendix
Visitor Profile
(A) Total number of unique visitors
Number of visitors from outside Hong Kong |
4,579 |
79% |
Number of Hong Kong-based visitors |
1,215 |
21% |
Total number of visitors |
5,794 |
100% |
(B) Visitor attendance by continent and region
Asia-Pacific (excluding Hong Kong) |
2,951 |
51% |
North & South America |
366 |
6% |
Hong Kong |
1,215 |
21% |
Europe |
908 |
16% |
Middle East, Africa and others |
354 |
6% |
Total number of visitors |
5,794 |
100% |
(C) Visitors were from 94 countries and regions, comprising
Asia-Pacific Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam
Middle East Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar (State of), Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen
Africa Algeria, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa (Rep of), Republic of South Sudan, Tanzania
Europe Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Isle of Man, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania (Rep of), Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia (Rep of), Slovak Republic (Slovakia), Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, Ukraine
South America Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Venezuela
North America Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Sint Maarten (Dutch Part), USA
Others Fiji, French Polynesia, United States Minor Outlying Islands
Exhibitor Profile (by country/region)
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Country/Region |
Number of exhibitors |
1 |
China |
155 |
2 |
Hong Kong |
47 |
3 |
India |
21 |
4 |
Indonesia |
1 |
5 |
Korea |
24 |
6 |
Philippines |
11 |
7 |
Taiwan |
6 |
Total: 265 |
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