HONG KONG, Sept 6, 2023: The iconic eighth Asian annual fashion event, Centrestage, kicked off today in the Asia-Pacific region. The flagship event will run for four days at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The first two days of the fair are exclusively dedicated to buyers, while the final two days, 8 to 9 September, are open to both industry professionals and the public.
The fair features exclusive retail offers and special promotions from various local and international brands and is an opportunity for buyers and fashion enthusiasts alike to stay updated with the latest fashion trends. The theme of this year’s fair Radiant Wellness aims to underscore the impact fashion can have on individual well-being.
Centrestage is organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), with Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)* as lead sponsor.
With the reopening of the Hong Kong-Mainland China border, this year’s fair features increased participation of international brands. Its diverse line-up of over 240 brands represent 19 countries and regions. In addition to Hong Kong, they include Australia, Mainland China, France, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Macau, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam.
Hong Kong brands showcased include redemptive, Barney Cheng Couture, D’Orient by Dorian Ho, Sparkle by Karen Chan, IKA BUTONI, 112 mountainyam, Rickyy Wong Studio, Kowloon City Boy, SZMAN, Natacha Van, WHATEVER NEXT, and VDLM, each presenting their latest collections.
Other participating brands from different regions include FETICO (Japan), Pitattsu (Japan), SAMSARA (Japan), XAVAN (Vietnam), CHILLOSOPHY (India), and YINYANG (Korea).
A dazzling display of fashion’s captivating charisma
Throughout the four-day exhibition, an array of unmissable fashion shows is held daily.
The opening ceremony, officiated by Kevin Yeung, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Hong Kong SAR Government, kicks off Centrestage, followed by the Centrestage Elites fashion show. At this event, the Spring/Summer 2024 collections of Hong Kong designer Wilson Choi’s high-end streetwear brand REDEMPTIVE and FETICO, a women’s retro fashion brand by Japanese designer Emi Funayama, are showcased. Celebrities Hanna Chan and Pete, and Hong Kong high jumper Cecilia Yeung grace the runway in the latest creations of these two talented designers.
Centrestage Elited showcases the interconnectivity of the world of artificial intelligence (AI) and the real world, showcasing a fantastical journey of an AI fashion enthusiast.
This year, the Fashion Hong Kong Runway Show, featuring Hong Kong fashion designers, takes a cross-disciplinary approach. Dancers from the Hong Kong Ballet present the latest designs from four Hong Kong fashion brands: 112 mountainyam, ANGUS TSUI, DORISKATH, and SUN=SEN, offering a visual feast that combines fashion and contemporary ballet.
The highly anticipated finale of the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers’ Contest (YDC) 2023, a showcase of Hong Kong’s budding fashion talents, takes place on 9 September, with MINI Hong Kong as the lead sponsor for the seventh consecutive year. YDC 2019 winner Wilson Yip integrates sustainability, Big Love and inclusivity into his brand Wilsonkaki SS24 series for MINI and will perform together with the Hong Kong indie band The Hertz. The public can vote for the My Favourite Collection Award online before midnight on 8 September and be in with a chance to win one of five HK$3,000 Lee Gardens Area e-gift coupons. Voting link: https://bit.ly/YDC2023_VOTENOW.