Chic Designs Abound When Eyewear Meets Fashion

More than 300 local eyewear designers, engineers, traders and manufacturers today (14 September 2012) eyed on the world's latest fashion trend for inspiration at the "International Eyewear Fashion Symposium 2012" jointly hosted by the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association (HKOMA) and Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC).

Mr Joe Wong, Deputy Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Technology) of the HKSAR Government, officiated at the opening ceremony, accompanied by Mrs Grace Tai, President of HKOMA; and Mr Tony Lam, Acting Executive Director of HKPC.

Speaking at the opening, Mrs Tai said, "Hong Kong is the world's third largest exporter of spectacle frames after Italy and the Mainland China. In 2011, the total eyewear export exceeded HK$ 15.1 billion. To remain competitive, Hong Kong eyewear designers and manufacturers must enhance their skills and fashion sense to move with the fast changing global trends, and be flexible to cope with small orders with multiple designs. This Symposium presents a timely opportunity for the industry to gain invaluable insights and inspiration in close quarters from international trend setters."

Highlighting HKPC's support to the eyewear industry, Mr Lam said, "In addition to R&D and training, more recently, HKPC has embarked on the HKSAR Government's initiative in launching the Enterprise Support Programme of the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales. We have also established a one-stop support centre, SME One, to help industry, including eyewear sector, conveniently obtain information on various SME support and funding schemes in Hong Kong and the Mainland."

Under the theme of "When Eyewear Meets Fashion", the Symposium featured presentations by renowned eyewear design and fashion gurus from the UK, Mainland China and Taiwan, and an "Eyewear X Fashion" runway show.

Funded by the CreateSmart Initiative of Create Hong Kong of the HKSAR Government, the Symposium is a major programme of a project to nurture local eyewear designers. Other activities include the 14th Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition, study mission to Europe, and Hong Kong eyewear design exhibitions in Shanghai and Paris.

For more information about the Symposium, please visit the website: http://hkoptical.wix.com/sym2012, or contact HKPC's Ms Gigi Chui on tel. (852) 2788 6134 or email: gigichui@hkpc.org. For other media enquiries, please contact Mr Felix Chan of HKPC Corporate Communications Division at tel. (852) 2788 5036 or email: felixchan@hkpc.org.

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Mr Jonathan Ho
General Manager
Corporate Communications Division
Hong Kong Productivity Council
Tel: (852) 2788 6390
Fax: (852) 2788 5056
Email: jonathanho@hkpc.org
Website: www.hkpc.org


14 September 2012

Mr Joe Wong, Deputy Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Technology) of the HKSAR Government (front row, fourth from right); Mrs Grace Tai, President of HKOMA (front row, third from right); and Mr Tony Lam, Acting Executive Director of HKPC (front row, fourth from left), pose for a group photo with the guest speakers, representatives of supporting organizations and runway sponsors at the opening ceremony of the "International Eyewear Fashion Symposium 2012"