13 Nov 2023
The APLF ASEAN 2023, the one and only leather exhibition in Thailand, has concluded with great success. The event was held between 25 – 27 October 2023 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok. It welcomed exhibitors and visitors from ASEAN region and around the world.
Under the slogan “ASEAN in Action”, the second edition of the event in Thailand builds on the success of the first edition. As a platform for professionals in the leather industry, APLF ASEAN gathered Thai and international suppliers of leather, chemicals, machineries and components, providing opportunities for regional and international buyers, designers and traders in the tanning and leather goods manufacturing sectors.
Under M.E.E.T – Matching, Education, Experience and Tradeshow, APLF ASEAN is more than just a tradeshow because it combines organising an event, providing knowledge and providing a complete leather goods experience in one event to provide attendees with a complete experience.
An important part of the event was a showcase of the Autumn-Winter 2024/25 trends in colors and materials for leather by Olivier Guillemin, in collaboration with The Comite Français de la Couleur. It divided the latest trends into four themes: Essential Impulse, Serene Impulse, Disruptive Impulse and Eclectic Impulse.
Furthermore, the APLF ASEAN 2023 is a valuable platform for designers. Among the highlights of this event was the special seminar on “Top Leather Good Designers”. Five leading Thai designers were invited to display their signature bag collections, and share their stories about the brands and their advice to young designers. The five guests were Ms. Boonyanuch Vittayasamrit from 31 Thanwa, Ms. Fundao Baesakul from Fundao, Ms. Sasithorn Premchit from Lunné, Ms. Nasha Mekraksavanich from Nasha, and Ms. Jiratchaya Winyoopradist from Xotique.
Additionally, the event held a competition in order to discover talented designers. “The Next Thai Leather Goods Designer Competition” brings together undergraduate students from various universities to develop creative ideas and marketing plans for establishing their own brand. This event features 10 finalist teams exhibiting their work at the fairground. This year’s winner was the ORI-GINAL team from Srinakharinwirot University who received prize money worth 20,000 baht.
One of the key workshops this year is the Let’s Talk Leather Masterclass. The workshop features two leading speakers, leather technical advisor Mr. Karl Flowers, and British designer Mr. Yusuf Osman. The masterclass provides an understanding of the origin of the finest natural raw materials that can be used for the design of pieces. In this presentation, the audience is introduced to the effective combination of technique and practice from two different perspectives. As a result, listeners will be able to select leather raw materials that are most suitable for their business. Attendees also receive a certificate upon completion of the course.
The APLF ASEAN has sparked a great deal of interest in leather products throughout the region. The economic recovery in ASEAN is expected to increase consumer demand for fashion products, garments, leather goods and footwear. This trend is going to have a positive impact on leather upholstery for furniture and automobile as well. Thailand is not only a key gateway for ASEAN countries to connect, but it is in addition home to more than 700 leather goods manufacturers and suppliers, and also one of the largest car production countries. There is no doubt that they play a significant role in advancing Thailand’s industry to the level of global prominence.
APLF ASEAN 2024 is scheduled to be held between 6-8 November 2024 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok.
We bring leather, material and fashion businesses together: an opportunity to meet and greet face to face. We bring them from all parts of the world so that they can find fresh partners, discover new customers or suppliers and keep ahead of industry developments.
We organise a number of trade exhibitions which focus on fashion and lifestyle: sectors that are constantly in flux, so visitors and exhibitors alike need to be constantly aware both of the changes around them and those forecast for coming seasons.
