Asia's premier fashion event, CENTRESTAGE, officially kicked off today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, marking its 11th edition with record-breaking participation. Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), the four-day event runs until September 5 and is free to both industry buyers and the public. This year's fair brings together approximately 270 international brands from 24 countries and regions, showcasing the latest trends and creative designs.
Smilely Lam, Associate Executive Director of HKTDC, emphasized the event's significance: "CENTRESTAGE gathers a constellation of global fashion brands and design luminaries. Through this platform, we aim to leverage Hong Kong's unique advantages as an international business hub and a superconnector. We enable Hong Kong brands to connect with overseas buyers, while simultaneously attracting international labels to use Hong Kong as a springboard into Asia, fostering two-way collaboration and creating more business opportunities."
One of the notable debuts this year is the Hype2 pavilion, dedicated to streetwear labels from local celebrities and KOLs. Exhibitors include Rosita Kwok's Claro, Vincent Wong's OGIS, Kelvin Kwan's PICK AND MATCH, ROSEMA.ESE X Jaime Cheung, and Pakho Chau's XPX. Approximately 30 limited-edition products were launched during the fair, with a "Hype2 Runway Show" scheduled for September 4.
The opening night's CENTRESTAGE ELITES fashion show featured KIT WAN STUDIOS, led by Hong Kong-born creative director Kit Wan. Known for designing "stage armour" for artists like Miriam Yeung and Hins Cheung, Wan presented over 30 new looks from his collection "MUTANT // MYTHOLOGY." The show was livestreamed across multiple platforms to reach a broader audience.
For the first time, Korea participates as Featured Partner, with a large pavilion featuring 12 Seoul designer brands and the Gyeonggi Fashion Creative Studio. The pavilion will present a thematic fashion show, "SEOUListic: The Future is Sustainable," on September 4, with former IZ*ONE member Lee Chae-yeon as a guest performer. Other first-time participants include Austria, Colombia, the Faroe Islands, Malaysia, Slovakia, and the UAE.
The newly added Perfume Zone showcases over 20 fragrance brands from Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, many making their Hong Kong retail debut. Visitors can explore a Scent Station to sample various scents. Other thematic zones include Accessories, Craftsmanship, Contemporary, Urban, Athleisure, and Circular Fashion, offering a diverse range of styles.
Beyond the exhibits, CENTRESTAGE features over 40 events, including more than 30 runway shows, a historic high. Highlights include the Fashion Hong Kong Runway Show on September 3, inspired by "Hong Kong Dopamine," and FASHIONALLY presentations supporting young local designers. The fair also hosts seminars and industry exchanges, such as a session with renowned Korean designer Rok Hwang.
The exhibition includes interactive zones like the Fashion Sound Lab, where visitors can record voices and create vinyl-inspired designs, and the SNAPIO Stand for capturing style moments. The FIGARO Café offers a French Cultural Salon for discussions.
As part of the broader Hong Kong Fashion Fest, CENTRESTAGE runs concurrently with the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and Salon de TE, providing a one-stop shopping experience for fashion and timepieces. The event underscores Hong Kong's position as Asia's fashion capital, attracting global brands and fostering industry growth.
