AFW re-branded as Labels Asia
In a landmark collaboration that will truly position Singapore as a strong regional platform for the business of fashion and related industries, the Textile and Fashion Federation of Singapore (TAFF) and Singex Exhibitions Pte Ltd have merged their respective events (Singapore Fashion Week and AFW) to create a bigger and exciting brand new format that will showcase a series of comprehensive fashion trade exhibitions, fashion shows and events featuring the latest designer’s collections, brands/labels and swimwear apparel to an international buyer audience. |
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 Labels Asia / Intimate Asia
Nov 2-4, 2006, Singapore |
LABELS ASIA AND INTIMATE ASIA, 2 to 4 November, Singapore Expo - GATEWAYS TO BUSINESS EXCHANGE
Exhibitors Gearing Up
 With less than 2 months to the exhibition, exhibitors are feverishly gearing up to take advantage of the business opportunities that will be created for them. To date, over 96 exhibiting companies, from 11 countries representing 125 brands have committed to LABELS ASIA and INTIMATE ASIA.
From Singapore…
Singapore brand kamaSutra is looking forward to establishing good business links with the right potential buyers, working on a special collection of about 30 designs under the label described as “glamorously versatile”. Their production team specializes in handling difficult fabrics like silk, satin and velvet.
“Our customer knows what looks good on her and has picked up her sense of style from traveling around the world. She is not afraid to experiment but above all, she wants a unique look that is at the same time versatile and glamorous. We have VIP’s and wives of dignitaries who come in for that special ensemble that will portray her identity as Asian but at the same time, not compromising her individual sense of international style, “ said designer Chrystne Y.
While her pieces have been sourced by overseas parties in small quantities, mainly by word of mouth, she hopes to be able to expand her business base to include significant buyers, in the league of retailers like Harvey Nichols and Harrods of London.
“We feel that we are ready for the world’, she said confidently.
Another exhibitor, Lab2Design, has taken up 99 sq. metres of space at Labels Asia. Having achieved significant success with his own designs, Lab2Design owner, Eddie Ho, wants to give young designers a chance to showcase their designs and to be noticed. He is working with raw talents from La Salle Institute and Temasek Polytechnic to come up with two special collections of about 70 pieces each, for the event and providing them free space to display their creations.
“We want to help these 3 or 4 designers who have no chance to promote themselves. Our young designers’ skills have improved tremendously over the last few years but many of them don’t get the opportunity to pursue their craft. I know of many talented designers who have graduated and ended up as window artistes, merchandisers or even insurance agents!” said Eddie.
TOob’s designer swimwear label Zarzamora is the brainchild of chief designer, Wendy Yee, who won the Next Asia Designer Award at Asia Fashion Week ‘05. The label is already available in US, Cyprus, Croatia, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore. Her second collection will be shown at Labels Asia ’06. Manufactured in Brazil, it will include designs with laces, ribbons and Chinese knots.
“For this year’s event, we hope to establish our presence in Australia and Japan where there are great business opportunities, and we hope to meet buyers from these countries,” said Wilson Chia, Business Director of TOob.
Perfect in BLACK’s latest collection “Mystique”, will be shown at Labels Asia and the SFW ‘06 Designer Show on November 4. The collection’s offerings, in all shades of black, for all occasions, in a myriad of silhouettes, combined with intricate appliqué work, promises be a stunning affirmation of style for the discerning man and woman who swear by the colour of the night.
Managing Director and principal designer, Anthea Chan wants to further promote her brand on a global platform and to find more franchisees overseas.
As Anthea puts it, “I hope to raise more awareness of PERFECT in BLACK TM as a brand to be recognized internationally. Although it is a very niche market, I would love for other fashionistas around the globe to dare to wear my creations and exude confidence with all the qualities that black embodies... mystery, sensuousness, elegance, luxury and glamour. Black is a timeless classic and by participating in the Labels Asia, I hope to bring a special perspective on my collections and utilize it as a platform to reach the global elite."
From Australia…
Blundstone Footwear, from Australia will be showcasing their latest range of no nonsense and highly versatile, elastic-side footwear, with no laces.Chris Ng from the South East Asian office said, “We want to raise the awareness of the brand in South East Asia. Although the brand has a 135 year-old history, we are still relatively unknown to Asian buyers.”
From Hong Kong…
Jaeger Ng is the Design Director of Anchor Fashions Co. Ltd, which owns the Aitch K label, already available in Guangzhou and Shanghai. She specializes in knitwear and sweater designs.
“ Aitch K. is ‘Hong Kong’! The brand epitomizes a rather casual, easy-to-wear city style, smart and chic , and it targets the creative woman, artists and writers aged 25 or above who are pursuing their careers in the artistic or cultural field,” said Jaeger.
From India…
For New Delhi-based designer, Jattinn Kochhar, this will be the second time he’s participating in Labels Asia. He will be bringing a special collection of swimwear and evening wear for men and women to Labels Asia. Believing in practical and fuss free lines for his creations, he combines Indian heritage and urban influences in his designs focusing on lycra knits. Also an artist, he will display his art collection along with his clothes.
“My designs are very suitable for the Asian market, but of course I look forward to meeting buyers from all over the world,” said Jattinn.
From Malaysia…
Malaysian company Asian Atelier manages labels, Chantiq Skaly and Tinong Kebaya. At Labels Asia they will reveal their garden wedding kebaya and couture kebaya collections called “Sweet, Sexy, Chantiq Skaly!”. Also on show will be a “Workaholics” line which features wrap dresses for work and after work. Their Spring/Summer 07 line of vintage handbags will complement the clothes lines.
Alin Anuar, Managing Director of Asian Atelier hopes to propel the Asian designer’s creative talent unto the international arena.
“We aim to partner with young talented Asian designers to draw inspiration from traditional masterpieces like the songket and kebaya, embellished with embroidery and beading to transform them into contemporary pieces for the international market.”
New Cotton Innovations – A Step Forward for ODM’s
Worldwide Cotton Incorporated and Cotton Council, global marketing and research bodies promoting cotton as a fabric, will be partnering with six Singapore textile and garment manufacturing companies (ODM’s) to produce several new and improved cotton textile innovations at Labels Asia and SFW 2006. These Singapore Own Design Manufacturers (ODM’s) are OceanSky, who is the largest supplier of GAP worldwide sourcing, Sing Lun, Ghim Li and Pacific Garment.
New exciting fabrications will be introduced for the first time to global buyers. The innovations include Storm Denim, a breathable yet water repellent fashion denim and a cotton T-shirt with a “dry fit” property.
Mr. Chris Koh, Secretary General of SFW ‘06 explains,” OEM manufacturers dominate the industry but they need to move up the value chain. Hence, gradually, OEM’s are moving towards ODM’s and Labels Asia provides a perfect platform for them to show case their capabilities.”
Apart from participating in the exhibition, Cotton Incorporated and Cotton Council will also be sponsoring a private reception with a Cotton innovations show for the VIP’s.
For more information, please contact:
Kate Macbeth, Singex Exhibitions Pte Ltd.
17, Changi Business Park Central 1
Honeywell Building #06-07/08
Singapore 486073
Tel: + 65 5677133 email: Kate@singex.com.sg |
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