Filipino fashion catwalks into the spotlight as the Department of Trade and Industry brings the country’s top local fashion accessories designers and jewelers to the Hong Kong Fashion Week 2007, from July 10-13 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Eleven local design companies will feature the Philippines’ finest in costume jewelry. Among them: ABS Export International, Ibarra Designs LTD., Inc., Selections Export International, and Unijel Int’l Trading, Inc.; sterling silver, fine and high-fashion jewelry – A. Suarez Sterling Corp., Michelis Inc., Sanara Inc., and Sterling Gifts, Inc.; and fashion jewelry, accessories and leather goods – Fina Ornamentalia Crafts, La Cora Creatives, Inc., and Talimaya Gifts Fashion Accessories Corp.

"Hong Kong has been the center for fashion and creative design in the Asian region for years. As an aspiring fashion destination, the Philippines should learn from their Fashion Week, update ourselves with the current trends and get a feel of the pulse of the industry," said Trade Assistant Secretary Fe Agoncillo-Reyes, executive director of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotion arm of the DTI.

Hong Kong’s fashion exports industry is steadily growing posting earnings of HK$75.9 billion as of June 2007. Its three major markets all have positive growth rates: the US – 11 percent, the UK -13 percent, and Germany – 21 percent.

Annually, the fair attracts buyers from over 25 countries including target markets from Asia, Europe, Australia and North America, making it a convergent and conducive venue for business transactions and trade.

The trade fair also demonstrates the country’s ability to offer one-stop service, highlighting Hong Kong’s production and distribution capabilities and, more importantly, their creativity and marketing skills.

"We’re bringing the Philippines’ finest from the fashion accessories and jewelry industry because it is an excellent opportunity to showcase the Filipino brand of quality and creativity and meet our counterparts from other countries who are potential trade partners," Agoncillo–Reyes said.