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| Trendsetting marketplace attracts French designers ( 18/11/2002 ) | |||||||||
According to Mary Yan Yan Chan who heads StyleCentral, the exclusive agent of Peclers Paris, one of the key reasons for Hong Kong's emergence as a design centre is its many famous designers who have either studied here or abroad and come back to establish designer brand names. Hong Kong's educational institutions have also played a role in the SAR's transformation from a manufacturing base to a design-led services centre for the region, Ms Chan said. "Local universities such as the Hong Kong Polytechnic University provide first rate innovative courses in trend forecasting and design. They aim to teach students - the future industry professionals - to think more creatively, which is a key factor in design. A niche for overseas brands "Hong Kong is also a highly sophisticated and affluent city, with a lifestyle that requires designer and beautifully crafted fashions. Many luxury brand retailers have opened shop here to cater to this demand. There is still a niche for additional overseas brands as consumers are continuously looking for more interesting and fun products." Peclers Paris has been assisting Hong Kong and Chinese mainland companies in building a brand identity for almost a decade. StyleCentral, appointed in 1999 as part of Peclers' worldwide network of agents, has recently been expanding to also serve clients in southern China and Southeast Asia. As the local agent StyleCentral works closely with Peclers' Paris office to identify and discuss new trends and changing lifestyles. "We explain the trends to each client based on our international and local expertise," Ms Chan added. Each season Peclers produces 18 trend books detailing the upcoming lifestyle trends and influences globally. "Initially, we worked with only the fashion industries. But now many of our clients are from interior design, automotive, consumer goods, electronics and product design - in fact, any industry that needs to add the value of seduction and fashion to its new collections." Style-conscious, and quick to react
He added that the diversity of the city creates a good concentration of different energies. "All the top international brands are in Hong Kong. The different nationalities of its people, the variety of international restaurants, shops, and activities present a unique atmosphere. Hong Kong is a place where anybody can find his own 'cup of tea' in a very special and dynamic environment." While the company has already opened offices in Guangzhou and Shanghai, Mr Despretz pointed out that Hong Kong has helped Carlin to gain a better understanding of the mainland Chinese market and "to analyse the needs of Chinese brands". Related links: | |||||||||
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