Dynamic Speakers For 2nd Asia Fashion Summit

Asia’s fashion professionals and leaders gather to gain new insights and build connections

18 April 2011, Singapore – WGSN, the world’s leading style and trend analysis service, and Textile and Fashion Federation of Singapore (TaFf), will once again collaborate on Day 1 of the second Asia Fashion Summit (AFS), Singapore’s premier business conference for the fashion industry.  After a successful debut in 2010, AFS will return this year, May 18-20 at the Raffles Convention Center, with an extensive line-up of influential thinkers and industry leaders from the international and Asia fashion community.

Bringing together more than 30 top-notch fashion experts to share their unique perspectives on the ‘Rise of Asian consumerism’ and its impact on the textile and fashion industry, AFS will deliver thought-provoking insight essential to brands, retailers, and manufacturers navigating emerging fashion business trends.

WGSN’s Global Content Director, Juliet Warkentin, will kick off Day-one of the Summit with WGSN’s global and local insights into key issues driving design, buying and retail.
Lorna Hall, WGSN Senior Retail Editor, will chair the panels on ‘Harnessing Global standards for local markets’ and ‘The new rules of Visual Merchandising’, while WGSN Head of Content for APAC, Angelia Teo, will chair a case study session on ‘The Asian Youth Consumer’.

Joining them is a roster of leading fashion experts including Andrew Wu, LVMH Group Director for China; Mark Baumann, Head of Visual Merchandising, Lane Crawford; Simon Gaffey, International Director, Karen Millen; Bob Neville, Head of International Retail, New Balance; Harriet Williams, Head of Digital Development, Debenhams; Stephen Dolan, Commercial Director, Asia, Facebook; Eric Jennings, VP Men's Fashion, SAKS Fifth Avenue; Douglas Benjamin, CEO, Raoul; Hamilton South, Founder and CEO HL Group; and Lance Diaresco,  Vice President of Marketing for dENiZEN™, the global brand from Levi Strauss & Co.
The presentations, panel discussions and interviews will cover the macro and strategic issues that every business must address to remain competitive in the fashion business and how to sustain growth whilst adapting to the changes in consumer trends and behaviour. 

“The future growth of fashion business undeniably lies in Asia.  Global brands are moving in a big way and, increasingly, luxury brands are setting up more and more flagship stores in Asia,” said Chris Koh, TaFf’s Honorary President.  “But the challenge lies in navigating Asian markets which have unique cultural traits and different business practices. We have to be more than ready to embrace creative approaches to win over the increasingly demanding and savvy Asian customers."

"There is no doubt that Asia is where we will see the biggest growth over the next few years and fashion companies large and small need to be fully clued up on how to successfully do business in this region as well as expand globally. AFS is a must attend event where delegates will be inspired, educated and entertained by a stunning line up of experts from leading global and local brands who will share their experience, strategies and top tips on how to win over tomorrow’s fashion consumer,” said Julie Harris, WGSN APAC Managing Director.

Asia Fashion Summit is TaFf’s latest effort to advance Singapore as a regional strategic fashion hub.  In its second consecutive year, the Summit is one of four pillar events under Asia Fashion Exchange, which aims to establish Singapore as Asia’s premier one-stop fashion hub.

For more information on the conference programme and packages, log on to www.asiafashionsummit.com.

For media enquiry on Asia Fashion Summit, please contact:
Lina Poa
T: 65 9696 5453
E: linapoa@aimpr.com.sg
A.I.M. PR

About Asia Fashion Summit
The Asia Fashion Summit, organized by Textile & Fashion Federation (Singapore), is a premier business conference that creates knowledge, provides insights and shares expert views on fashion topics that are important to fashion industry professionals in Asia.

From 18 to 20 May 2011, more than 30 fashion insiders and leaders from the fashion industry around the world will gather in Singapore to generate thought provoking discussions on the rise of Asian consumerism and how it impacts the fashion and apparel industry.  The three-day event, with its carefully structured format of Keynote Presentation, Interactive Panel Session, Small Group Workshop and Interviews to deliver value to delegates, is a must-attend event for fashion industry professionals in Asia.  Asia Fashion Summit is TaFf’s latest effort to advance Singapore as a regional strategic fashion hub.  More information on www.asiafashionsummit.com

About Textile and Fashion Federation (Singapore)
The Textile and Fashion Federation (TaFf) was formed through a collation of the textile and garment associations in 1981. Singapore’s textile and garment industry has since then transformed from a manufacturing base to be a regional fashion, marketing and sourcing hub. TaFf takes an active role in nurturing the next generation of talents, facilitate marketing and exportation of textiles and apparels to the world, promote the betterment of business practices through the adoption of advanced technology. We encourage participation in research, development, innovation and other enhancement activity or social projects which add value to the industry. For more information, please visit www.taff.org.sg.

About Asia Fashion Exchange (AFX)
Asia Fashion Exchange (AFX) is an initiative aimed at developing the long-term sustainability of Singapore’s fashion industry by building capability and profiling local talent on an international platform, here in Asia. It is a joint effort by International Enterprise (IE) Singapore, SPRING Singapore (SPRING) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), with the strong support of local stakeholders such as the Textile and Fashion Federation of Singapore (TaFf) and Mercury Marketing & Communications, to establish Singapore’s standing as Asia’s fashion gateway. AFX comprises four pillars: Blueprint, a trade exhibition and consumer sales event designed to be an international platform based in Asia; Asia Fashion Summit, an international business conference for industry professionals to generate thought leadership content; Audi Fashion Festival, a showcase of world-class collections by top international designers and labels; and Star Creation, a regional fashion design competition to spot budding talent from across Asia.

About WGSN
WGSN defines and shapes winning style and design.  With proven global authority, WGSN identifies and analyses current and future trends, creating online tools that can be put into action to power their customers' commercial success. WGSN enables those who need to see, think, and act on consumers' evolving wants, needs and behaviours to create brilliant products and services.  www.wgsn.com