Li & Fung to Address Sustainable Sourcing at First-ever Sustainable Fashion Forum in October Hosted by Fashion Access

HONG KONG, Oct. 5 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Fashion Access, a fair organised by APLF Ltd, is launching Sustainable Fashion Forum in order to meet the evolving needs of fashion professionals. The forum will explore the challenges of achieving sustainable fashion and present ideas that are accessible and practical to fashion businesses.

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Prominent figures such as Li & Fung Vice President of Vendor Compliance Bruce Bergstrom and Michael Lavergne, Director-Asia at Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), are confirmed to speak at the half-day forum on October 7th 2009. Also among the panel of industry experts are: Carolina Rubiasih, Vice President of Sourcing & Product Development at The SAK; Hong Lee, Asia Pacific Manager of Control Union and Amy Small, on behalf of Green2Greener.

Aptly taking place alongside Fashion Access at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Perrine Ardouin, senior event manager at APLF Ltd said: "Fashion Access already attracts exhibitors and buyers from around the world, so it's an ideal time and place to hold Sustainable Fashion Forum and bring together a global audience to address a global issue."

Indeed, fashion with a conscience is good for business. While Sustainability is not a new issue, it is -- more than ever -- being met with a global network of concerned, aware, and active individuals and corporations. Those that heed the challenges it poses can prosper. The forum is created by the same team that organises the prestigious annual Prime Source Forum -- which targets big retailers, brands and apparel manufacturers -- where sustainability has been a recurring topic of discussion.

Ms Ardouin said, "There's been a grave need for a new forum that addresses the sustainable issues from the consumer perspective, and those that are relevant to both big players and SMEs."

"This will obviously attract retailers and brands, but information presented will also be useful to suppliers and producers, who need to understand what their customers want and need along the supply chain".

Sustainable Fashion Forum will adopt a format where panellists will share and discuss their opinions on related issues such as green washing, profitability and consumer expectations. This encourages an open exchange of views between speakers and audience.

There will be three sessions, the first with Michael Lavergne from WRAP, an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to the certification of facilities engaged in lawful, humane and ethical manufacturing throughout the world.

Mr Lavergne commented, "WRAP is proud to support and participate at Sustainable Fashion Forum. As a key hub of sourcing and product development activities Hong Kong must play an integral role in pushing sustainability forward, right down the supply chain line."

Meanwhile, Fashion Access, besides offering buyers a wide range of fashion accessories including bags, footwear and lifestyle accessories, will also unveil the Sustainable World display area for fashion products developed from socially and/or environmentally-sustainable materials and business models.

The Sustainable Fashion Forum will be held on the afternoon of October 7 (Wednesday) 2009 at Fashion Access in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Limited seats available.

For registration and fees please contact the organisers at chionkwok@cmpasia.com or register online.

About APLF Limited

APLF Limited is a joint venture between UBM Asia Limited and SIC SA, Paris and is managed in Asia by UBM Asia Limited.

    For fair details, please contact:
    Ms Perrine Ardouin, Senior Event Manager
    Email: perrine@cmpasia.com

    For Sustainable Fashion Forum registration, please contact:
    Ms Bianca Chan, Sales and Marketing Executive
    Email: biancachan@cmpasia.com

    For media enquiries, please contact:

    Ms Emily Chan, Marketing Communications Executive
    Email: emilykwchan@cmpasia.com

    APLF Limited
    17/F China Resources Building
    26 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
    Tel: +852-2827-6211
    Fax: +852-2827-7831
    Website: http://www.aplf.com

SOURCE APLF Limited

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