Best of APLF Awards is an initiative to cultivate and nurture talent and creativity in leather & fashion-related industries.

The project recognises design excellence, originality, innovation, use of materials and outstanding workmanship of products exhibited at both APLF-organised events, APLF – MM&T and Fashion Access. Eight Fashion Access exhibitors and five APLF – MM&T exhibitors were honored the award at the Best of APLF Awards Presentation Ceremony on 30 March 2011 during the APLF VIP Cocktail.

Best Component
		Rogers Taiwan Inc Taiwan Extreme sport protective guard with high performance molecules that can absorb up to 90% of the most intense force, designed to take the contours of the body.  Lightweight, comfortable and breathable..

Best Man-Made Material
		Jee Chang Enterprise Co Ltd Taiwan This is a very flexible and soft, transparent PU-coated material with metallic effect, ideal for trendy bags and sporty shoes as trims.

	Best Natural Material
			Limonta Spa Italy Pure cotton dyed with natural dyes with the looks of "loom-made" ideal for linings, shoes and bags.

Best Innovation for Leather
		Heinen Lederfabrik Germany Caron footprint shoe upper leather; produced with major operations using "electricity" and some very little gas to heat water.  Usage of gas compensated by planting green saplings.

Best Technology for  Fashion Leather
		Officina Delle Pelli Italy Acid-washed leather, embossed and painted to give a three-dimensional look to the texture; suitable for handbags and components and panels for garments.

Best Fashion Leather Collection
		Cetinkaya Kurk Deri Turkey Pleated leathers in different patterns and soft waxy finish ideal for new garments styling with 3D looks.

View the Fashion Access winners’ product HERE.
Also view the Press Release for the Best of APLF Awards HERE.

For more information about the winners and press enquiry, please contact Ms Chi On Kwok (chion.kwok@ubm.com)

Best of APLF Awards’ panel of judges consist of industry experts with design or fashion expertise. Panel of judges for APLF March 2011:

Mr Olivier Guillemin, Chairman of the Best of APLF Awards Co-founder of design consultancy firm, in France
Mr Olivier Vedrine Co-founder of design consultancy firm, in France
Ms Sophie Dewulf Milan based material editor at Stylesight.com
Mr Stephane Foullon Sourcing and Product Development Operations Manager for Asia, Le Tanneur Group
Mr Mike Redwood Visiting Professor of Business Development in Leather at the University of Northampton
Md Sadiq Scientist of Central Leather Research Institute
Mr Michal Spacek Leading product training of shoemaking technicians in Ethiopia under the ISC project
Ms Rachel Garwood Leturer of Science and Technology at the University of Northampton