Global eyewear sales have reached almost HK$1 trillion (US$128.1 billion) this year, a Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) spokesman said when revealing details of the 25th edition of the HKTDC Hong Kong Optical Fair.
At the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from November 8 to 10, the event is organised by the council in co-operation with the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association (HKOMA). This year there will be a record 800 exhibitors from 26 countries and regions, including new exhibitors from Denmark, San Marino (a microstate in Italy) and Sweden.
There will be group pavilions from China, France, Italy, Japan, Korea and Taiwan, while the HKOMA and UK consultancy Visionaries of Style will also have pavilions.
Describing the global spectacles market as “enormous”, HKTDC deputy executive director Benjamin Chau said that Hong Kong’s total exports of spectacles, lenses and frames in the first eight months of this year exceeded $13.8 billion, a 4 per cent year-on-year increase. This was attributable to a strong rebound in demand in mature markets such as Japan.
He said Hong Kong’s top export market was the US, followed by Italy and Mainland China.
Special zones
There will be nine zones at this year’s fair as well as eyewear parades, and for the first time there will be an e-badge for buyers to enhance their sourcing experience.
The Brand Name Gallery will feature more than 220 international labels including 999.9, B1919 Eyewear, Evisu, Freddie Wood, IC! Berlin, Markus-t, Minima, Muzik, Parim, Stepper and Superdry. Other zones include Contact Lens & Accessories; Sporting & Professional Eyewear; Kids Eyewear and Reading Glasses; Frames, Lens and Parts; Eyewear Accessories; Diagnostic Instruments; as well as Optometric Instruments & Machinery.
Brands known for hand-crafted eyewear will be featured, including Classico, Oh My Glasses Tokyo and Savile Row. Making its debut will be Blanc & Eclare, a sunglasses brand founded by Korean singer/songwriter Jessica.
Local brands being showcased in the Brand Name Gallery by HKOMA include Big Horn, CreationVC, Genic Eyewear, Paulo Pilipe and People by People. Also from Hong Kong, Shutoo Gavazzi Optical will introduce its LCD lenses that change colours based on light conditions, and include patented technology for eye protection.
Meanwhile, the HKTDC and HKOMA teamed up to organise the 19th Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition. Nearly 100 entries were submitted this year for eight major awards, the Open Group Champion title going to last year’s winner Bo Bo Lai, who also took the Creativity Award. The Student category went to Hong Kong Design Institute student Chan Cho Man, and the Made-to-Sell Award was won by So Yiu Kwok. The winner of The Latest Look Award will be announced on the first evening of the Optical Fair.
On the second day of the fair, the 15th Hong Kong Optometric Conference will feature experts from four countries including Hong Kong. There will also be seminars and workshops.
