A new lingerie trade show and forum is to make its debut in Hong Kong in April to take advantage of anticipated growth in Asian markets.

Hong Kong Mode Lingerie will serve companies in South China and the rest of Asia, with around 60 exhibitors and brands from all over the world already committed to the show.

The organisers hope to attract 5,000 visitors to the two-day debut event and expect 400 VIPs at the ultra lingerie fashion show which will take place on the first evening.

"Hong Kong was chosen because it is the international hub for the Asia-Pacific region. It is the largest sourcing centre for apparel and an ideal springboard for international companies to explore the mainland China market where there is a concentration of lingerie production," said Chantal Malingrey, head of lingerie division at Eurovet.

Dr Winnie Yu, associate professor and programme leader of The Ace Style Institute of Intimate Apparel (ASIIA) which is part of the Institute of Textiles and Clothing (ITC) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HKPolyU) and one of the event's partners, believes the whole market is shifting to Asia.

"Hong Kong is the sourcing hub for everything, especially apparel," she said. "It has a well established supply chain, a pool of skilled and semi-skilled workers that can operate short cycle and speedy product delivery."

A one-day International Lingerie Forum is also be held at the HKPolyU campus the day before the exhibition opens. Topics discussed will include Lingerie Education, Lingerie Innovation and Lingerie Environment.

Speakers will include Dr Winnie Yu of HKPolyU's ASIIA; Jos Berry, director of Concepts Paris; Harald Hinderberger, head of product management division Asia/Europe of Triumph International; Annie Wong, president of MAST; Dr Andrew Sia, chairman and CEO of Ace Style Group; and Makoto Oyama, president and director of Wacoal (Shanghai) R&D. 

A recent study on the "Global Market Review for the lingerie and intimate apparel industries with forecasts to 2012" by just-style forecast that the worldwide lingerie market will grow by 9% by 2012, with developing markets such as China, India and South East Asia as the drivers of this growth.

Hong Kong Mode Lingerie is being organised by Eurovet and will take place on 3-4 April at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.

By Vicky Sung.