Hong Kong's Li Yu offers the FS-079 model, a patent PU leather belt with elastic band. The product, which is 2.5 inches wide, has a covered metal alloy buckle and stitched edges. Price is $1.70.

Metal details plated in gold, silver and bronze colors, elastic bands and large, bejeweled buckles add visual interest to models.

Patent leather belt suppliers in Hong Kong and mainland China are focusing on unusual and elaborate details to gain an edge. As part of this, companies are boosting R&D capability toward launching more ODM models for the upscale market.

Suppliers are adding value to solid-colored designs by creating crinkled, cracked or textured finishes on the band. Designs with embossed crocodile- and snakeskin, and top grain effects are popular as well. Makers are also offering versions made of braided leather strips.

To enhance aesthetic appeal, glitter is applied to versions in pale or natural tones.

For more eye-catching pieces, treatments are done on the clasp or buckle. Models come with feminine crystal buckles, or metal ones with clustered rhinestone trimming. Some versions feature closures in gold- or silver-plated alloy with large, faceted glass gemstones.

Oversized buckles in round, square or horseshoe shapes are often used as accents, and covered in the same material as the band.

To add visual interest, belts are also richly detailed with rivets, studs, metal accents and locks. Some suppliers are launching designs with a space-age look, in silver and black combinations, and with gunmetal disc clasps.

Aside from glossy gold and silver finishes, metal hardware comes with matte, oiled bronze or antique brass treatments.

Companies are launching both wide and narrow models meant to accent the true waistline. Best-selling designs have widths between 1 and 3 inches. These cinchers draw attention to the thinnest part of the body or help create the illusion of a waist.

Kidney, deep-double and triple-layer belts continue to be produced, but are less bulky than the previous year's. Skinny belts feature bright colors with high-gloss finishes and plastic buckles.

In line with the season's trends, the latest models come in candy and pastel shades of green, pink, lilac and yellow. Muted tones in gray, dark blue, white, black and beige are also popular.

For improved comfort, some suppliers have released cinchers constructed with elastic bands in the same color as the front patent leather. Certain versions also have curved panels for a snug fit.

	This PU leather belt model from Pollux of Hong Kong has a 1.56-inch width. It has a covered horseshoe metal alloy buckle, and is available in various colors.

Hong Kong's focus on the midrange and high-end markets requires consistent quality and durability. Because of this, some makers prefer to use imported materials, while others are enforcing stricter inspection standards.

Fantasie Mfy Ltd uses mostly PU leather from Hong Kong and Guangdong province in the mainland. It also imports genuine leather from Italy and the Netherlands.

Hung Wan Leather Co. Ltd is following Japan's 5S philosophy to improve its operations. Aside from this, the company has increased the number of QC inspectors and enhanced worker training to minimize defects.

The company uses PU from Hong Kong and the mainland, and genuine leather from Italy.

At Li Yu Belt Mfg Ltd, belts are made of PVC, PU and genuine leather, and webbing. Half of raw materials are sourced from Hong Kong. The company has invested in stamping and molding machinery to produce various hardware and trims in-house. Li Yu also stores many types of leather and accessories and can finish samples in a day.

In the mainland, Chanch Accessories International Co. Ltd sources half of its materials from Japan and South Korea. Its 5,000sqm factory houses machines from Japan, the US and Germany.

Zhejiang Qiangjin Leather Co. Ltd purchases leather and metal components in Guangdong, Japan, South Korea and Germany.

Sonny Fashion Accessories Co. Ltd uses leather and trimmings from Guangdong and South Korea. The company exports to the US, Mexico, Greece, Germany, Australia and Japan.

	Hong Kong's Pollux offers the model 85913, a patent PU leather belt with laminated edges. It has a 1.18-inch width and is available in various colors and lengths.

Fantasie has launched models in PU leather priced from $3 to $5. Designs come with elaborate alloy buckles encrusted in multicolor glass gemstones. The company is also releasing models that have special patent finishes, including cracked, crinkled, metallic and crocodile.

Most models are between 2 and 4 inches thick.

Hung Wan offers PU leather belts priced between $1 and $6. The latest designs come in contour, braided, high-rise and hip-hugger styles, with widths of 1.5 to 3.5 inches. Models feature embossed crocodile-skin patterns in bold colors, covered metal buckles, metal rings and braids.

At Li Yu, best-sellers come in widths of 3 inches or more, with combinations of patent PVC leather and elastic bands. Designs have large covered buckles in round, square or horseshoe structures. Some buckles feature metal trims.

The company has also released versions with crocodile-skin patterns, and semiglossy, textured finishes. Prices range from $1.50 to $6.50.

Popular models from Pollux Enterprise Ltd of Hong Kong have solid colors with glossy or metallic finishes and same-shade stitching. Buckles are made from plastic or are covered with PU. The best-selling styles are waist cinchers with widths from 1 to 3 inches. They feature oversized metal clasps or buckles with metal grommets and rhinestones.

The company has also released a line of skinny belts that come in a variety of bold colors, including orange, red, green, yellow and pink. Prices range from $0.45 to $3.

At Chanch, products are free from nickel and azo. PU leather models have embossed crocodile- and snakeskin patterns, or are trimmed with metal rivets and chains.

The mainland's Wenzhou Shenghang Belt Co. Ltd focuses on intricate metal belt buckles, which lend an elaborate look to PU leather models.