High fashion, personalised 3D and floating frames were just some of the highlights on display for more than 15,000 buyers who travelled to this year’s HKTDC Hong Kong Optical Fair from 9 – 11 November.
Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and in cooperation with the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association, the three day optical fair attracted 15,000 visitors from 100 countries. Buyers came from several ASEAN and emerging markets including Malaysia, the Philippines, Russia, Iran, Brazil and Mexico, and mature markets including Canada, Korea, Spain, Sweden and of course, Australia.
Benjamin Chau, Deputy Executive Director, HKTDC said attendance proved the important place Hong Kong has within the optical industry. “The total number of visitors to the fair increased this year, and there was satisfactory growth in the number of buyers from various countries,” he reported at the Fair’s conclusion. “This shows that the Hong Kong Optical Fair is essential for eyewear promotion and sourcing and continues to play an important role as a trading platform for the global eyewear industry. The trading atmosphere was very good at the fairground. Buyers eagerly sought the latest eyewear designs, products and equipment.”
Brand Name Gallery
Among 220 international brands on display in the Brand Name Gallery were ic! Berlin, DITA and Orgreen. ic! berlin’s 3D printed special edition sunglasses, created to mark the company’s 20th anniversary, were a highlight as were award winning Morgenrot’s 3D frames. A wooden frame from Italian brand FEB31st, that offers the opportunity for consumers to personalise their frames by adding their names, signatures, graphics and words on the side was also a show stopper. Speaking of the enormous Chinese market, Mabel Sze Feb31st’s brand manager said, “Mainland consumers like personalised eyewear products. With buyers coming from all over the world, the Optical Fair provides an excellent trading platform for us to introduce high-end, distinctive eyewear products and build our brand.”
The total number of visitors to the fair increased this year, and there was satisfactory growth in the number of buyers from various countries
Korean brand Sodamon, which won the Good Design Award in Korea and Australia, showcased its lightweight Fugu sunglasses collection which floats on water.
Themed zones made navigating the halls manageable for visitors with areas dedicated to contact lenses and accessories, eye wear accessories, kids’ eyewear, reading glasses, sports frames and professional eyewear. To facilitate more efficient business opportunities for exhibitors, the HKTDC organised 72 buying missions from 47 countries, comprising more than 3,000 companies. Participants included The Eyecare Company and George & Matilda Eyecare from Australia.
The HKTDC also organised a number of eyewear parades, buyer forums, seminars and networking cocktails during the fair to help industry professionals expand their networks.
Eyewear Design Competition
Winners of the 18th Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition were announced at the Fair. Themed “Uniqueness”, the competition was organised by HKTDC in partnership with the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association. Designers competed in two categories – the Open Group and Student Group. Last year’s Open Group Champion, Lai Pui-Yan, once again won the title with her design entitled ‘Note’, inspired by different ways of recording daily happenings. ‘Note’ also won the Creativity Award.
The Student Category Champion title went to Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) student Chan Wai-Mau, for his frame ‘Recall’, who found inspiration from the typical folding tables used by many families in Hong Kong. The Made-to-Sell Award was won by another HKDI student, Lee Cheuk-Chung, for his work ‘Image’, which featured leather and metal, which together gave the appearance of a simplistic and modern industrial style.
Optometric Conference
The 14th Hong Kong Optometric Conference, run in conjunction with the Fair, was themed ‘Advancement in Ophthalmic Treatments’, and attracted approximately 900 participants. Expert speakers from Hong Kong, Australia, Canada and the United States included Professor Larry Abel, Associate Professor, Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne and Dr. Geunyoung Yoon, Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rochester in the US. A variety of topics were covered, including ‘Effect of Myopia Control Lenses,’ ‘Recent Development in Refractive Surgeries’ and ‘Impact of 3D Printing in Spectacle Frame Design’.
Trading Power
Hong Kong is a key trading platform for the eyewear industry. In 2014, it was the world’s third largest exporter of spectacles and frames after Italy and the Chinese mainland. In the first nine months of 2016, Hong Kong’s total exports of spectacles, lenses and frames exceeded HK$15 billion (AU$2,600 billion), up 37 per cent year-on-year. Hong Kong’s top export markets are the US, Italy and the Chinese mainland. The European Union and United States, accounting for 63 per cent of the total, were the two biggest markets.
Facing tough competition from mainland China, the Hong Kong industry has been forced to reduce operational costs while increasing investment in advanced machinery and technology such as computer aided design and computer numerically controlled production lines to improve quality and design. Many spectacle makers have relocated their factories to the Chinese mainland, particularly in Shenzhen and Dongguan, while maintaining their administrative, marketing, management and finance operations in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers. Its eight HKTDC autumn fairs attract almost 130,000 overseas exhibitors and buyers, contributing over HK$1.1 billion to the local economy. The eight events are: the Hong Kong Optical Fair, the Hong Kong Electronics Fair, electronicAsia, the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair, the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair, the Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo, Eco Expo Asia, and the Hong Kong International Building and Hardware Fair.
In 2017, the HKTDC Hong Kong Optical Fair will run from 8–10 November.
