Department of International Trade Promotion of the Royal Thai Government, along with 15 of its associates and affiliates from the Thai fashion, textiles, and leather industries are currently arranging the Bangkok International Fashion Fair & Bangkok International Leather Fair 2012 (BIFF & BIL 2012). The event will take place from 27 June - 1 July, 2012 at Challenger 2, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, Thailand.

Mrs. Nuntawan Sakuntanaga, Director-General of Department of International Trade Promotion says that the main purpose of this event is to encourage Thai and ASEAN entrepreneurs in the textile, fashion and leather industries by enabling them to showcase their goods to the buyers and exporters from ASEAN and other countries. In addition, the event can act as a market place for everyone in the fashion and leather goods manufacturing and export trade by giving them a space where they can negotiate and establish vital contacts.

To mark the 30^th Bangkok International Fashion Fair and Bangkok International Leather Fair 2012, The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) is holding a series of events to attract fashion and leather entrepreneurs as well as Thailand’s trend-setters. Started with Mikel Rosen, a teacher and fashion expert who has been cited as an influence by some of the biggest names in fashion, such as John Galliano, the late Alexander McQueen, and Stella McCartney. For Bangkok, he had prepared a workshop that would have imparted vital tips and information on Display Techniques for the fashion industry to teach entrepreneurs how to make their products catch the eye of buyers and industry players. The workshop took place on January 11, 2012, at UBC ll building, Sukhumvit 33.

Mr. Rosen believes that Thai fashion and the creations of the kingdom’s entrepreneurs are unique, showcasing local culture while still appealing to international fashion lovers. The Thai twist and sense of style and fun which is so evident in Bangkok’s street fashions, is beginning to make its mark and will soon be as popular overseas as Thai cuisine and culture.

Followed by a seminar which was held by the UK’s Lee Lapthorne, founder of ON/OFF - the independent fashion showcase, plays an important role in organizing fashion weeks in London, Milan, and Paris. He’s also an artist, textile designer and talented photographer in his own right. In Bangkok, Lee Lapthorne held a seminar on Fashion trends for Spring and Summer 2013 on January 13, 2012, at UBC ll building, Sukhumvit 33.

Mr. Lee Lapthorne said that being asked by the government to pass on his expertise was a true honour, and he expects to attract the region’s entrepreneurs and designers and give them a new perspective on the fashion and leather goods industries and their importance to the economy. His unique perspective and wealth of experience should ensure that Thailand and ASEAN’s fashion sectors will soon compete as equals on the international stage.

Department of International Trade Promotion and the private sectors are ready to show the immense potential of the Thai fashion and leather goods industry, and leading Thailand to the global market. BIFF&BIL 2012 is certainly going to be special, greater, and bigger than ever!