This year’s Hong Kong International Fur & Fashion Fair,
which concluded February 28, offered further proof of the resurgence of the
market for luxury fur products.

Organised by the Hong Kong Fur Federation, the Fair attracted
a total of 7,200 buyers from around the world, an increase of 29% compared with
last year, and garnered US$233 million in on-the-spot orders, a dramatic increase
of over 50% compared to the last event.

‘Today’s industry is definitely robust, and this Fair is a
reflection of that,’ said Director of International Fur Trade Federation and
veteran furrier, Frank Zilberkweit.

‘Buyers from Russia
and the Mainland are the motor; Korea
is very powerful; Japan
is back buying mink; and there is a big contingent from the US
and Europe – a victory in all geographical areas.’

Growth has been fueled by new technologies and different fur
selections. Fur items on display at the Fair were vibrant and lightweight, with
interesting textual and styling details.

While mink, fox and chinchilla remained perennial
crowd-pleasers, new skins such as skunk, beaver and opossum were also
popular among the younger consumer crowd.

Indeed, as Hong Kong Fur Federation Chairman Y.F. Wong noted,
‘buyers were especially thrilled by the variety of furs, colors and
silhouettes being used – and they didn’t hesitate to make purchases even though
prices were higher due to strong demand and a rise in raw material costs.’

The next Hong Kong International Fur & Fashion Fair will
be held from February 25-28, 2012
at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

www.hkff.org