First fashion jewelry trade show slated this September

Dubbed as "Bijoux Cebu," the Cebu Fashion Accessories Manufacturers and Exporters Foundation (Cebu FAME) will be organizing their first ever trade fair event this coming September that promises to merge Filipino's warm hospitality with the highlight on the rising popularity of eco-friendly jewelry accessories in the industry.

Expected to attract foreign buyers from all over the world, Bijoux emphasizes quality over quantity, said its event Chairman Butch Carungay during his presentation in a press conference held yesterday.

"It will be a small show, a boutique niche show that will emphasize quality over quantity so we should not expect a throng of buyers," Carungay stressed.

To be held at the lush Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort and Spa this coming September 20 to 22, Bijoux Cebu guarantees its buyers total relaxation and pleasure at the same time with various fashion shows, trade exhibits, product demonstrations, design competitions and a host of other receptions in store.

Highlighting their Go Green Program, an initiative the foundation has been doing with the cooperation of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the event will also showcase Cebu and Philippine exporters' expertise in designing and crafting eco-friendly products to its international buyers.

It will highlight the latest and highly popularized "eco chic" fashion trend that is being promoted by the foundation in their products and is considered as part of the largely emerging green movement that is currently spreading across the world.

Bijoux Cebu is also aimed at establishing an intimate supplier-buyer relationship than simply being sales driven activity, emphasized Cebu FAME president Janet Chua.

“Bijoux Cebu is all about goodwill, promoting buyer-seller interactions for deeper understanding, ensuring business continuance and displaying needs and the foundation’s corporate social responsibility of preserving our natural environment," said Chua.

The exhibition will also present the industry’s Spring-Summer Collection, an extensive and original collection of Philippine green jewelry.

Carungay said that they are looking at the prospect of making the exhibition an annual activity that will not only entice international buyers from patronizing our high-quality and uniquely designed products but at the same time appreciate the country’s hospitality and tourism.

He added that as the international markets is experiencing a downward trend these days, it is highly relevant that players from their sector get together and work as a group to be able to come up with creative ideas and solutions to harmonize the grave impacts of economic fluctuations. —Rhia de Pablo