Exporters shift to eco-fashion to cope with market slowdown

To survive the slowdown in their top foreign markets especially the US, exporters and manufacturers of costume jewelry based in Cebu are looking at capitalizing on their brand as Asia’s destination for green jewelry.

After the success of their first ever international trade show called Bijoux Cebu, members of the Cebu Fashion Accessories Manufacturers and Exporters Foundation (Cebu- FAME) are now bent on intensifying their product development efforts to produce accessories that meet the world market’s demand for eco-fashion and eco-friendly products.

Janet Chua, Cebu Fame president said that they have noted a growing demand for green products during their recently held Bijoux Cebu trade show.

“Buyers are now showing marked interest in natural wood accessories in the light of the international market’s ecological awareness. Eco-fashion is now an international trend and this is the trend that the Philippine fashion accessory industry can capitalize on as our raw materials come from natural resources,” she said.

And since most of their members have always been known for creating products using indigenous but sustainable raw materials, they are quite hopeful that after a three year industry slump due to global slowdown, they will be able to capture a wider share of the world market.

“The market for Philippine products might pick up for 2009 after 3 years of slowing down as the products are now in line with the market. If this happens, it is better than expected for 2009 in spite of financial turmoil as demand for Philippine products will hopefully recover,” added Chua.

Right now, the jewelry export sector considers China, Indonesia, India, USA and Europe as their top five major competitors because these countries have buoyant retail market, are well-equipped with the latest high technology machineries, and have fast delivery and offer cheaper prices.

Reyna Tio, sales and marketing manager of Creative Shapes on Styles International, Inc. the manufacturers of Impressione jewelry said that for the last 30 years, their sector have always been doing eco-chic and green jewelry products way before the global market started advocating the concept.

“We truly deserve the title as Asia’s destination for green jewelry as we have mastered the ins and outs of using indigenous and sustainable based materials and even if Vietnam, India, Indonesia and China will compete with us in this, they will still be far behind,” she stressed. —Rhia de Pablo