But not all buyers were from China or looking for China-inspired products. For Vivienne Francine, who owns a namesake boutique in Cairns, Australia, and wants to expand, Hong Kong Fashion Week was an opportunity to find something new, including a possible design partner. "We design our own garments and sell other labels as well," she said. "I am always looking for a new point of view and more directional pieces."

She and other buyers found obvious trends for fall. Outerwear, for example, is shorter, shinier and slimmer. Jackets have lost some of their puff, with volume in the sleeves, which were shown ruched, quilted, top-stitched or decorated. Woolen coats are shorter, mostly hip-length, tailored and belted. Fur jackets, although drawing protests from naked PETA members, were popular — cropped, dyed in a host of colors, and embellished with jewels and embroidery.

Denim was also strong at the fair. Designer Eric Cheung, for one, showed metallic and distressed denim under his Brittany label. Cheung, like every other casualwear designer, also demonstrated through his collection that low-rise is on its way out. Waistbands were much higher and often accented with wide belts (or layers of skinny belts) in bright colors.

As for color, fall looks to be a somber time, with brown, charcoal, black and petrol gray dominant. A pop of color comes in accessories, including bright orange high heels, lime green belts and mustard yellow handbags. There was also a lot of color in eveningwear, which showed an enormous range in gold, blue and enough red to satisfy all the buyers in China.