Asia's largest fashion fair, the second-largest fair of its kind in the world, opens today and continues through January 18 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).

World Boutique, Hong Kong, which runs concurrently with Fashion Week, is also proving extremely popular with exhibitors. The fair, which targets boutique buyers, features top designer brands, as well as fashion accessories and lifestyle products, and has drawn 249 exhibitors from 19 countries and regions this year. The twin fashion shows are organised by the TDC.

The Hong Kong fashion industry continues to flourish, said Mr Andrew Leung, chairman of the TDC's Garment Advisory Committee, speaking at the joint opening ceremony. "Hong Kong's total exports of clothing and accessories increased 3.4 per cent to about US$25.8 billion in the first 11 months of 2006," he said, attributing Hong Kong's success in the fashion industry to the constant evolution of its garment companies and their firm focus on cost control.

Mrs Selina Tsang, wife of Hong Kong's Chief Executive, and Mr Fred Lam, TDC's executive director, also officiated at today's joint opening.

The TDC has organised 65 missions and more than 2,600 VIPs for Hong Kong Fashion Week, along with 64 missions and more than 2,100 VIPs for World Boutique. These include buying representatives from Spain's El Corte Ingles, Mango and the Cortefiel Group, Australia's Cotton On, K Mart and Zip Fashion House, Canada's Marie Claire Boutiques and Le Château, and Japanese department store Mitsukoshi.

Infant and Children's Wear Debuts this Year

Marking its 38th edition this year, Fashion Week combines high fashion and mass merchandise. The fair has expanded to include five exhibition halls at HKCEC, with a wide range of fashion and accessories in seven theme zones. Fashion Gallery, Garment and Accessories Mart, Body and Intimate Wear and Bridal and Evening Wear join three new sections this year: Infant and Children's Wear, Emporium de Mode and Spice Arena.

The Infant and Children's Wear zone was created in response to the growing market for baby clothing and children's wear, while the latter two spotlight high-style clothing and smart fashion accessories respectively.

The group pavilions hosted by the Chinese mainland, India, Korea, Macau and Taiwan are another Fashion Week feature.

World Boutique, now in its fifth year, boasts more than 400 designer labels and fashion accessories ranging from apparel and handbags to shoes, watches and fashion jewellery. Austria, Mauritius, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland and Ukraine are first-time participants at World Boutique.

Young Fashion Designers' Contest Turns 30

A World Boutique highlight will be the staging of the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers' Contest finals on January 18. The annual contest, which turns 30 this year, spotlights talented young Hong Kong designers. This year, 16 contestants compete for 10 coveted awards in four categories: Casual and Jeans Wear; Contemporary Day Wear; Avant-Garde Collections; and Party Wear.

At the Young Fashion Designers Contest gala, eight individuals will be recognized for their continuing support of the Hong Kong fashion industry. Boby Chan, Eunis Chan, Magdalena Lee, Patina Lin, Wendy So, Anthony Wong, Pius Yiu and Charlie Young will be honoured at a "Style Icon Hong Kong Memento Presentation."