Hong Kong’s premier fashion event, CENTRESTAGE, kicked off on 2 September 2026 with a spectacular opening gala, CENTRESTAGE ELITES, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The show featured KIT WAN STUDIOS, led by Hong Kong-born creative director and visual artist Kit Wan, presenting over 30 new looks that fused sci-fi aesthetics with high fashion against the iconic Victoria Harbour backdrop. This year’s event underscores the growing significance of Hong Kong as a global fashion capital and the collaborative spirit of its creative industries.
Kit Wan Studios has established a name for itself by designing “stage armour” for internationally renowned artists such as Miriam Yeung, Hins Cheung, MC Cheung, and Panther Chan. The studio’s work has graced prestigious stages like the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles and the Eurovision Song Contest in the United Kingdom, bringing Hong Kong design to a worldwide audience. The CENTRESTAGE ELITES runway served as a platform for the debut of these new creations, with select pieces on display at the fairground throughout the event at Booth 3D-D06.
The opening gala was graced by Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR Government, as the Guest of Honour, alongside a constellation of celebrities and fashion influencers. The event was not just a fashion show but a multi-sensory experience, featuring live performances by renowned Hong Kong electronic musician hirsk and Belgian model-musician Kim Peers at the after-party. An exhibition zone showcased seven iconic stage costumes designed by KIT WAN STUDIOS for artists like Hins Cheung and Miriam Yeung, highlighting the studio’s deep connections with Hong Kong’s music scene.
CENTRESTAGE, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), is a flagship programme of the third edition of Hong Kong Fashion Fest. The fair, which runs from 2 to 5 September, is open to both industry professionals and the public free of charge. It features over 40 captivating events, including more than 30 runway shows and parades, offering a kaleidoscope of fashion inspiration from local, mainland, and overseas designers.
On Friday, 4 September, Kit Wan will personally attend the fair for a dialogue with Dan Hastings, Editor of The Business of Fashion, to share insights on creative inspiration and his journey in expanding the brand into overseas markets. This session is expected to provide valuable perspectives for emerging designers and industry stakeholders.
The event also highlighted the broader context of Hong Kong’s fashion ecosystem. Hong Kong Fashion Fest, announced in the 2023 Policy Address, aims to develop Hong Kong into a fashion design hub in Asia. This year’s edition, themed “Rhythm of the Heart,” runs from 1 to 14 September and brings together eight flagship programmes organised by six industry organisations, including CENTRESTAGE, to foster collaboration and innovation. The festival is a testament to Hong Kong’s position as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
The success of CENTRESTAGE ELITES reflects the vitality of Hong Kong’s creative industries, and the event’s global reach was amplified through livestreams on multiple official platforms. For those who missed the live show, the performance can be relived via the CENTRESTAGE website and social media channels. The event also reinforced the importance of platforms like CENTRESTAGE in connecting designers with global markets, thereby strengthening Hong Kong’s role as a launchpad for fashion talent.
