Organized by the Industrial Development Bureau (IDB) and co-organized by the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), the Taiwan Textile Research Institute (TTRI), the Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF) and the Footwear & Recreation Technology Research Institute (FRTRI), the event is part of the government's "Made in Taiwan is Best" series, which kicked off last month featuring agricultural products.

From practical to quirky fashions, to high-tech functional sportswear and cycling gear, to onion-shaped ceramic piggy banks, the event attracted spectators curious to see the latest Taiwan-made creations.

Over 80 booths proudly displayed Taiwan-made high quality textiles, cultural and creative items, energy-saving household electronics, dairy products, as well as sports and cycling gear.

A special area was designated to display traditional Taiwanese products that appear in the recent internationally-acclaimed local film "Cape No. 7," including millet wine and hand-made accessories made by Taiwan indigenous peoples such as the Paiwan tribe.

Glove Research and Development Studio introduced their newest product, a mobile phone holder for cyclists that can be worn around the wrist. Part of their winter collection of cycling wear, the mobile phone holder can also hold portable music players and be strapped around the elbow, explained Donna Chen, a spokesperson for the company.

"Our gloves have been especially designed to provide the best grip and comfort thanks to our patented air mesh material and moisture management qualities," she noted.

Researched and developed in Taiwan, the Suplest line of cycling shoes incorporate cutting-edge footwear technology with attractive designs, says Alex Chen, a representative of Fullcos Trading Ltd., an agent for the Suplest line in Taiwan. "The high end Micro PU material is light yet sturdy thanks to the integrated honeycomb design. Our shoes are very resistant yet environment friendly at the same time."

The official footwear of the Chinese Taipei cycling team, other attributes of Suplest shoes are the alloy buckle which opens easily at the touch of a button, a stiff nylon-profile outsole and metal cleats which provide good traction on all terrains, as well as ergonomic shock-absorbing insoles, Chen added.

After NT$140 million and five years of research and development (R&D), the Ray Star fully-automatic coffee machine - the only one of its kind produced outside Europe - was designed with an exclusive patented technology for trouble-free, detergent-free washing, according to Frank Yang, a representative from the company.

The Ray Star coffee machine is very easy and 100 percent safe to operate, and has also been certified in accordance with EU and Taiwan standards, he continues.

But easy operation does not translate to poor taste, stresses Yang. "Whereas coffee made from traditional machines may differ significantly depending on temperature, cleanliness of the machine, and other factors, Ray Star guarantees that 'every cup will taste exactly the same.'"Natural Art Creativity & Development Co. Ltd.'s "Fun-China" series are a collection of playful, even humorous ceramic designs such as the "Fu-Gui (wealth and social status)" tea cup set, designed to resemble an Asian couple donned in traditional attire whose "hats" can be used as either a plate or a lid.

"Our factory is in Yingge, which is known for ceramics, and therefore our designs represent the best of Yingge's highly skilled craftsmanship," points out Stephen Wu, manager of Natural Art.

Reaffirming Taiwan-made products' emphasis on quality, the Taiwan Food Good Manufacturing Practice Development Association booth was another popular stop for visitors. "GMP stands for Good Manufacturing Practice, a voluntary management system which emphasizes quality, hygiene and safety in the manufacturing process," explained Wayne Chou, a spokesperson for the association.

In Taiwan, products that have been certified as GMP foodstuffs are awarded with a "Foodstuff GMP (FGMP) Smile Logo" displayed on their packages. To be awarded the FGMP logo, manufacturers must undergo a rigorous multi-step process. The FMPG comprises 26 product categories including beverages, frozen foods, soy sauce, preserved goods, MSG, and dairy products.

The three-day event ran alongside the 2008 Textile Achievement Exhibition, which featured a series of fashion shows, competitions and exhibitions to the delight of fashionistas and trendsetters. The 7th Design for Asia Creative Bag Design Award and the 2nd Project Bornway shoe design competition were among the highlights of the exhibition.

The Textile Achievement Show presented the newest high-tech functional sports and leisure wear by the Material & Chemical Research Laboratories of ITRI, Ling Tung University's Department of Fashion Design, and innovative elastics manufacturer Eclat Textile Co. Ltd.

Original accessory designs took center stage during a bags and gloves presentation hosted by the Taiwan Bags Association and the Taiwan Glove Manufacturers Association, with creations including poker-themed, nature-themed, and multifunctional bags that can be worn as overalls.

Following the successful debut of the 2008 spring/summer Taiwan knitwear collections during the "TIS (Taipei In Style)" show held earlier this year, TTF's Fashion Design Center in collaboration with major local designer brands displayed their 2008 fall/winter knitwear collections during the Quality Fashion Knitwear Design Show.

In order to propel the next wave of Taiwanese designing gurus, the New Generation Designer Show and the 2008 Young Fashion Designers Creativity Joint Exhibition put the spotlight on up-and-coming designers from IDB's Textile Design Institute as well as England's De Montfort University.

Another major promotional activity organized by the IDB is the 2008 FUSE Textile Fashion Week, which took place earlier this year at Dajia Temple in Taichung County as a complement to the Matsu International Festival. Participating designers fused traditional culture, energy saving, and modern technology into their creations.

Other fashion shows in this year's MIT Fine Products event included Keraia Company Ltd.'s "New Tech of Antique" designer and brand show, which merged retro designs with technology, as well as the high-tech cycling wear Fma International Co. Ltd.'s "Flywheel" fashion show.