Fashion trade shows are a great way for sourcing materials, discover new trends and mingle with industry professionals. These shows provide a platform for brands and designers to showcase their products and connect with potential buyers, making them an essential part of the fashion industry.

APLF Academy is an online learning resource for the leather and fashion industry. It is a learning community where designers and industry players learn from the best within the industry. APLF learning academy provides user-led learning, which means that users can set their pace to watch, learn, practice, and become certified in a variety of skills related to sustainability and the processing of leather.

Fashion Access

Every year APLF organises FASHION ACCESS, a trade show that aims to “Vamp Up” the fashion landscape. The last event was held at the Dubai World Trade Center, where 463 exhibitors were arranged in 20,000 square metres of fairground, representing 35 regions and countries. In 2024, the event will be held in the Hong Kong Convention Exhibition Centre, where over 300 exhibitors are expected to attend. Manufacturers of both OEM and ODM products can expect to find mid to high-           manufacturing partners that will help bring their designs to life.

Exhibitors at the show offer both high-workmanship and sustainable certification, which makes them very interesting for visitors seeking new partners. Buyers from buying offices, brand importers, department stores and fashion brands, as well as trading companies, will all be present, looking for opportunities to connect to new partners.

Fashion goods suppliers will also be present for department stores and retail outlets seeking to import new brands, and they include some of the highest-rated fashion producers worldwide.

The event will hold four exhibition sectors:

1. Brand Avenue – for independent fashion labels who are seeking more international exposure.
2. Sourcing zone – where quality suppliers showcase their production capabilities, craftsmanship and quality compliances.
3. Design Street – a display of new collections for those seeking collaboration opportunities.
4. Cashmere W     orld – dedicated to cashmere products and other fine fibres.

At Fashion Access you will find bags of all styles, from business casual to fashion and evening styles. The selection is vast, and if you can imagine it, you will find it at the show. There is also a wide range of footwear of all kinds, for men, women, and children. The focus is on quality and sustainability, and the accessories zone features bag accessories, belts, gloves, scarves, shawls, wallets, tablet/mobile phone cases, purses and money clips. Explore the collections of leather garments from classic jackets and coats to trendy jumpsuits, bodysuits and dresses.

Fashion Access brings leather material and fashion businesses together, providing an opportunity for face-to-face       meetings and the exchange of ideas. People travel from all over the world to seek new partnerships and discover new customers or suppliers, as well as to keep up to date with industry developments.

To build a career in the Fashion Business, you must necessarily learn about the business of fashion, preferably from a respected Institute that can provide a solid foundation. The right education can set you on a path to use your talents in a business context so that you are equipped to navigate this highly competitive industry successfully. Combined with your own personal talent, an education by experienced professionals can truly offer you a competitive edge.

Istituto Marangoni, Dubai.

In September 2022, International Design School Istituto Marangoni inaugurated its new campus in Dubai. A creative melting pot of Italian heritage, UAE tradition, and international influences, its campus is located inside the Dubai International Financial Centre      and offers a variety of undergraduate and professional courses in Fashion, and the various branches of design. All the courses are taught by the Institute’s team of professionals from Italy.

The school of Design      at Istituto Marangoni offers an exciting opportunity to fuse Italian expertise with local talent, with a view to shaping the future of the UAE fashion, design, and creative industries. It's       strategic partnerships and international outlook make Istituto Marangoni the ideal place to develop your skills and learn from industry experts. With its unique network of international schools, Istituto Marangoni also offers enriching study-abroad       opportunities for students looking to broaden their horizons in every sense. We offer a wide range of courses, and whilst the links below are Merchandise Planner specific, there are many other paths that Istituto Marangoni can help you pursue.

• BA in Fashion Business
• Professional Course in Fashion Entrepreneurship

For information and advice about this and any other courses on offer, please feel free to get in touch and one of our experts will be happy to guide you