Tuesday, April 26, 2011

BIFF & BIL BANGKOK!

kee@fswmag.com

BIFF & BIL BROUGHT BACK BEAUTIFUL BONANZA OF BUYERS FROM BOUNTIFUL BANGKOK AND BEYOND!
HELD FROM 20 TO 22 FOR TRADE AND MEDIA AND 23 TO 24 TO THE PUBLIC
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Dramatic attire by KAI of Thailand
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Feathers and brocade made a striking combination. By KAI of Bangkok, one of Bangkok's most famous designers


I have just finished watching Tweedledee and Tweedledum in Alice in Wonderland and BIFF and BIL sound like another set of capricious twins but they are non-human. For the terminally uninformed, BIFF is an acronym for Bangkok International Fashion Fair and BIL is Bangkok International Leather which is part of BIFF so no need add the 'Fair' which would spoil everything as BILF is unpronounceable!

It used to be BIFF (altogether now Bangkok International Fashion Fair) but with leather bags and goods repositioned as a separate entity under Bangkok International Leather, it is now BIFF & BIL.

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The show by the Malaysian contingent.

Top designer Bill Keith represented Malaysia at BIFF under the aegis of MATRADE, the Malaysian government arm for promoting international trade.

Bangkok International Fashion Fair and Bangkok International Leather Fair are now Bangkok's top fashion extravaganza and the latest one, held from 20 to 24 April, was a great success. It was held this year at Challenger Hall 2- 3, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, similar to KL Convention Centre and was officially opened by Minister of Commerce, HE Porntiva Nakasai with great fanfare and a spectacular fashion show on April 20, 2011. Under the theme of ASEAN Integration and a tagline of “Influence the World”, BIFF&BIL 2011 reinforced its significant role in providing a platform for fashion professionals not only to exchange ideas, networking and to seek new business opportunities, but also to combine the innovative and creative fashion design strengths of ASEAN.


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Thailand's Minister of Commerce Porntiya Nakasai declaring BIFF opened.

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Opening of Trend Forum by Thailand's Minister of Commerce Porntiya Nakasai


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Opening show


Organized in a ‘fair-in-fair’ concept this year, BIFF&BIL 2011 showcased a total of 35 fashion shows featuring 1,200 outfits of Spring/Summer 2012 collections from renowned ASEAN brands and designers as well as creations from young and aspiring Thai designers throughout the event. A special Royal Project Pavilion showcased the ‘Mystique’ collection created by the Institute of Business Economic Research and Development Foundation (IBERD) using traditional Thai cotton produced by weavers under The Support Arts & Crafts International Centre of Thailand along with creations designed by Vivienne Westwood in honor of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit.

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Vivienne Westwood's showcase in the Royal Pavilion using Thai silk in honour of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand.


Other highlights included booths from ASEAN member countries – Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar and The Philippines as well as booths representing China and India, a Japan Pavilion, Thai Tex Trend (T3), Lingerie and Sportswear Pavilions, Muslimah Fashion mini exhibition, Designers’ Room and the Trend Forum. In addition, there were a total of 9 seminars during the 3-day trade days on stimulating topics such as “Eri Silk: The New Eco Thai Silk”, “CoolMode”, “Global Trends: AW 11/12 & Beyond” presented by WGSN, and insight on “SAFSA” - Source ASEAN Full Service Alliance, a commercial project initiated by the ASEAN textile industries under the ASEAN Federation of Textile Industries (AFTEX), which offers an integrated customer-supplier solution for its members.

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Creations by IKA of Indonesia

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From the Malaysian opening show

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The Malaysian opening show

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Fashion show from Vietnam

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From Singapore

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Part of the Opening Show

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From Myanmar

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Vietnam's opening show

With over 1,100 booths, BIFF&BIL 2011 saw a total record number of local and overseas visitors of 37,000 during April 20 – 24, 2011, reflecting a significant increase of over 35% compared to last year’s event.

BIFF&BIL 2011 was jointly organized by the Department of Export Promotion and the National Federation of Thai Textile Industries (NFTTI).

About BIFF&BIL

The Bangkok International Fashion Fair & Bangkok International Leather Fair, now popularly known as “BIFF&BIL”, is the leading fashion trade fair for apparels, textiles, fashion accessories and leather goods in ASEAN. The yearly extravaganza is organized by the Department of Export Promotion (DEP), Ministry of Commerce of the Royal Thai Government. This year, however, the event is being organized in conjunction with the National Federation of Thai Textile Industries (NFTTI).

With the aim of promoting Thai fashion products to the world, ‘BIFF’ initially started out as the "Bangkok Ready-To-Wear Fair" when it was first held in 1989, while ‘BIL’ first made its debut as the “Bangkok Leather Fair” in 1992. With cooperation from international and ASEAN countries, the two fairs have been held jointly since 2004, and have become the ASEAN platform for ASEAN fashion.

BIFF&BIL 2011 will be held in Challenger Halls 2 – 3 at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani between April 20th - 24th, 2011. April 20th 22nd will be for trade visitors, while April 23rd and 24th will also be open to the public.

BIFF&BIL 2011 will bring together more than 1,000 fashion, textile and leather exhibitors, offering everything from the latest upstream materials to new inspiring downstream finished products. BIFF&BIL is a place where you can indulge in the sights and textures of ASEAN's most distinguished designers and materials.

BIFF&BIL is also an international trading platform that aims to showcase and promote a full range of products and services as well as create a venue for networking and sourcing. In addition, to product exhibitions, BIFF&BIL 2011 will also be host to a range of trade presentations, seminars and workshops for fashion professionals.

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