JFW International Fashion Fair

The Hawaii State Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) received a grant from the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to increase the number of local small businesses exporting products to other countries as well as to increase the value of exports for Hawaii companies already engaged in exporting products. Through DBEDT, Hawaii’s fashion industry benefited from the SBA’s assistance at three fashion industry trade events in Tokyo from 2012 to 2014. The economic impact of the export sales as of May 1, 2014, totaled $4,030,573.

2014 JFW International Fashion Fair

Hawaii Pavilion @ 2014 JFW International Fashion Fair

January 22-24, 2014, Tokyo International Exhibition Center

Tokyo, Japan

A diverse and dynamic group of 17 of Hawaii’s most creative designers converged in Tokyo to showcase their trendsetting Hawaii-made fashion and accessories to the Asia-Pacific market. DBEDT’s “Hawaii Pavilion” at the 2014 JFW International Fashion Fair in Tokyo attracted international buyers and industry professionals drawn to the bursts of color, style and texture that make Hawaii a leader in casual and lifestyle wear design, and looking for the latest products to stock their stores in the Year of the Horse. Hawaii exhibitors included:

Allison Izu
Aloha Sailor
Beads & Things by Kori
East Honolulu Clothing Company
Hawaii Fashion Incubator
`Iolani Sportswear
Kai/Island Yumi
Kalapaki Girl Dezigns
Kahulale`a
Kissy Hawaii
Love & Aloha
Organik
Plan Z
Salty Girl Jewelry
Tori Richards
Two Palms
Wings Sportswear

Highlights at the Hawaii Pavilion included a media splash by `IOLANI Sportwear announcing their collaboration with UNIQLO, a major Japanese clothing retailer with over 1,200 stores worldwide. The `IOLANI Hawaii Classics line of men’s, women’s and children’s fashions and accessories will be featured in UNIQLO’s 2014 spring and summer collection.

Buyers from the Hankyu Hanshin, Isetan and Takashimaya Department Stores were attracted to the open architecture of the Hawaii Pavilion, the vibrant colors and the mix of trend-setting and traditional cultural themed designs being showcased. The diverse palette of products also attracted buying teams from Tokyo Disney and Coco Emily to the pavilion. To date, export sales as a result of this event exceed half a million dollars.

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2013 JFW International Fashion Fair

Hawaii Pavilion @ 2013 JFW International Fashion Fair

January 23-25, 2013, Tokyo International Exhibition Center

Tokyo, Japan.

JFW International Fashion Fair (JFW–IFF) is Japan’s largest fashion business trade show held at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center (Big Sight) in Odaiba, Tokyo.There is a wide range of exhibitors at every show, from major manufactures to up and coming creators both from within and outside Japan, spanning approximately 750 companies from more than 20 countries. JFW-IFF attracts approximately 25,000 buyers from in and outside Japan.

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2012 JFW International Fashion Fair

DBEDT showcased some of Hawaii’s leading apparel companies as well as rising stars of local designers at the JFW International Fashion Fair in Tokyo, Japan, from July 18-20, 2012. Hawaii’s lifestyle and fashions truly captured the essence and spirit of the islands. This project was funded, in part, through a grant that DBEDT received from the U.S. Small Business Administration. find that our lifestyle.

2012 Japan Fashion Trade Show promotion booklet