S+YLE SEOUL 2026

The big thing that exhibitions like this do is bring people together. Yes, there’s the investment in a booth, space, advertising, and showing the latest trends, but the bigger value is connecting — understanding what’s new in the industry, where it’s headed, and what we need to do 6 months to a year from now. Everything in the market now has already shipped; we’re looking ahead to future seasons. Events like this help us connect with competitors, peers, and even ‘frenemies’ to see what’s going on. There’s absolutely a lot of benefit.

APLF is a great place not only to showcase products but to connect the entire industry in one location. It’s where we meet suppliers who bring something new — whether it’s innovation, sustainability, competitive pricing, or a unique fashion angle — and who can meet Puma’s strict quality, performance, and compliance standards. Hong Kong makes it easy for everyone to come together, and the organisation is smooth, giving suppliers the right space to present themselves. Events like APLF are key for meeting new suppliers and discovering innovations all in one place.

After a hiatus during the pandemic, attending the APLF was an eye-opening experience. The exhibition effectively showcased global leather trends and innovations, allowing attendees to gain a comprehensive understanding of the industry's current landscape in just a couple of days. While my primary focus was on leather, I was also impressed by the innovative materials presented, such as PU, TPU, and silicone, which align with environmental protection standards. I plan to recommend this event to my colleagues, particularly those in the shoe department, for next year’s fair.

We are a brand that advocates outdoor lifestyle and brings functional products to consumers in real outdoor scenes. In fact, we have many outdoor application scenarios where leather can be used, such as camping scenes, mountaineering and hiking, and daily commuting. In this exhibition, I saw a lot of leather that I had never seen before, including environmentally friendly leathers or leathers of different animal sources. I will continue to come to APLF, even without organiser’s invitation.

Landbond Furniture is a leading furniture company in China, operating more than 1,000 stores nationwide. Our products are also sold in numerous markets, including Europe, Japan, and the United Kingdom. We extensively use leather in our sofas and soft furnishings. With 40 years of experience in the industry, we have established a supplier networks in India, Australia, Thailand, the United States, and Italy. Our suppliers must meet the requirements of China, the EU, and Japan simultaneously, and cost and supply stability are also very important. During this event, we reconnected with many old friends, several of whom have been partners for over ten years. We also engaged with companies interested in cooperation and invited suppliers from Brazil, India, and Thailand to our factory for exchanges. The leather fairs in Hong Kong and Shanghai are two fairs we visit every year. This year (2024) marks the 40th anniversary of both the Landbond and APLF, giving us a familiar and cordial atmosphere upon our arrival. We hope that APLF will continue to thrive in the years to come.