English 
Author: Ethan Publish Time: 2025-05-09 Origin: Site
The 2025 Spring Canton Fair Phase 3 ended successfully in Guangzhou, China, and we were glad to participate in this significant import and export trade event. Located in the Fashion Exhibition Area of the Complex, we were fortunate to meet and connect with buyers worldwide and felt the global enthusiasm among attendees for Made-in-China and China-designed handbags and clutches. Our primary goal for exhibiting this time was to introduce the Milestone brand to a wider audience and allow visitors to personally experience our commitment to exquisite craftsmanship. For those of you who weren't able to attend the fair due to scheduling, or if you're looking for the products you remember seeing there, no worries. This article will take you back to the fair and show you the latest bag trends that were showcased, along with some key industry observations.
In Phase 3, exhibitors from Shiling, the major town of bags and leather goods in Guangzhou, totalled more than 270 booths. Shiling currently produces about 700 million bags and leather goods products annually, exporting to more than 140 countries and regions. The strong industrial chain of the Shiling cases & Bags Pavilion reflect the efficient supply chain of China's manufacturing industry. Buyers who find their favourite products at the exhibition will visit the factories for first-hand evaluation and in-depth negotiation. On average, a handbag exporter exhibits about 200 products at this import and export trade show, and almost half of them are newly developed specifically for this exhibition. These novel designs are expected to give birth to more than 50 million RMB of intended orders.
Beyond the impressive scale and production capacity on display, we also noticed specific market dynamics and challenges currently influencing global sourcing decisions at the fair.
Despite China's strong handbag manufacturing capabilities, the US, historically a major market for us, faces considerable challenges in sourcing from China due to current policies. At the fair, we were visited by several US buyers. We were pleased that our quality drew attention from these buyers, but remain concerned about the impact of bilateral tariff policies between the two countries.
Alex, one of the US buyers, a designer for a fashion brand, shared that since the tariffs were put in place, they've been actively seeking suitable new handbag manufacturers in other countries. However, they're finding it challenging across multiple factors like quality, pricing, and lead times to find partners who can match Chinese custom handbag suppliers. Hesitation persists among US buyers, whereas buyers from other countrys have already begun buying aggressively. Customs data shows that in Q1 2025, China's total import and export value of goods trade was 10.3 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 1.3%.
At this year's fair, companies enthusiastically showcased their latest bag designs, offering a window into current sourcing priorities and market strategies of retail brands. Here are some of the key trends we observed:
Snake Print: The storm of animal textures has swept from apparel into accessories. Naturally, Canton Fair exhibitors naturally wouldn't miss it, especially with 2025 being the Year of the Snake – snake print is undeniably a key theme. The distinctive and chic snake print is highly sought after by fashion enthusiasts. At this fair, we also featured a new python print handbag, paired with a unique bamboo handle design, creating a truly distinctive style.
Raffia: Raffia, a natural fiber derived from the leaves of the Raffia palm tree in Madagascar and tropical Africa, has become a highly popular natural material in the fashion bag and luggage sector this year due to its unique texture and excellent properties. Its natural, coarse texture and traditional woven aesthetic might initially seem at odds with contemporary design, yet they cleverly lend a touch of alternative fashion, making them a favored choice in bags this year. Below is a handcrafted raffia tote bag of our products.
Vegan Leather Bags: With the growing global focus on environmental awareness, major brands are increasingly exploring innovative materials for bags. We are now seeing artificial leather made from plant-based raw materials like pineapple leaf fiber, cactus fiber, mushroom mycelium, apple peel, corn, and soybean, capable of mimicking the look and feel of any animal leather. This is gaining popularity among many consumers and represents a significant direction in the current bag market. Here is one of our vegan leather clutches.
Perhaps after attending or hearing about the fair, you're finding it hard to recall the exhibitors who made a strong impression? If you are searching for the Canton Fair phase 3 exhibitors list, please click here for the Canton Fair official site. This might help you quickly locate the bag manufacturers you were hoping to connect with or learn more about.
Observing these exciting trends and the overall market dynamics at the Canton Fair reinforces the need for manufacturing partners who can not only navigate complexities but also bring innovative, high-quality designs to market.
As a custom handbag company specializing in high-quality leather production, Milestone is enthusiastic about helping brands and designers bring their unique designs to reality. We are very sure about our product quality, a standard that has gotten lots of praise from over 300 brands we work with.
If you appreciate exquisite craftsmanship and are looking for a reliable manufacturing partner to realize your next collection, we warmly invite you to learn more about Milestone. You can visit our product page directly here to see examples of our work – this is just the tip of the iceberg! For a more complete and comprehensive product catalog, please submit the form below. We will then contact you promptly to send you the full catalog.
There was great energy at the fair. Global buyers were there, making business deals. This energy highlighted confidence in China's foreign trade. It also showed a growing belief that connecting with the world leads to success for everyone.
