var utag_data = ({"site_subsection" : "Press", "page_name" : "Press Releases - Asia’s fashion spotlight CENTRESTAGE returns next month", "page_type" : "section", "fair_year": "2223", "fair_code": "Centerstage"});

BOOTH ENQUIRY
VISITOR REGISTRATION

#MeMyselfAndUs

powered by Vogue Hong Kong
EN / 中文

Welcome Message

A very warm welcome to CENTRESTAGE 2022, one of Asia’s signature fashion events.

Running under the theme “Inclusion and Diversity” with the hashtag “#MeMyselfAndUs”, this year’s CENTRESTAGE emphasises self-expression and the uniqueness of individuals. It also encourages embracing different cultures and values, and promotes the free and bold articulation of beauty and creativity.

This year, the show is playing host to more than 230 fashion brands and designer labels from 15 countries and regions, providing an ideal platform to unveil the latest collections and fashion accessories. On top of physical presentation, the brands’ info and designs are also featured on the CENTRESTAGE 2022 website, which is jointly developed by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and our digital content partner Vogue Hong Kong, enabling buyers to view them without temporal and spatial constraints. Overseas buyers can also meet the exhibitors online to explore business opportunities via our business matching services.

CENTRESTAGE kicks off with CENTRESTAGE ELITES. The opening gala show is staged with models strutting down the runway in the 2023 spring/summer collections by Hong Kong label DEMO, co-founded by Derek Chan and Mite Chan, and Japanese designer Hideaki Shikama’s brand, Children of the discordance. The show will be livestreamed to the CENTRESTAGE website and social media channels.

Having long served as a launch pad for local talent to kickstart their career and make their mark in fashion, the “Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers’ Contest” (YDC) will be held on the last day of CENTRESTAGE (11 September), for which a panel of eminent judges will select the fashion stars of tomorrow.

In addition, around 30 fashion shows, mini parades and insightful seminars have been arranged throughout the three days.

Following last year’s well-received response, CENTRESTAGE is once again open to the public, giving fashion lovers the opportunity to experience the extravaganza as well as check out current styles and fashion trends. To enhance public engagement, an array of interactive experiences empowered by AR and VR technology will be offered at the fairground. Highlights include virtual try-on of outfits specially designed for CENTRESTAGE, as well as “CENTREVERSE”, a custom-built phygital experience that allows visitors to participate in various fashion events virtually and interact using their personalised avatars.

Moreover, a series of fashion-related events and promotions has been staged across Hong Kong, including Central Market, D2 Place and Harbour City, under the CENTRESTAGE in Town citywide campaign to spread the buzz from the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre to every corner of the city.

We wish you a fruitful and inspiring time at CENTRESTAGE 2022.

Katherine Fang
Chairman
HKTDC Garment Advisory Committee

Margaret Fong
Executive Director
Hong Kong Trade Development Council

May the Force be with US

The collaboration between Vogue Hong Kong and Hong Kong Centrestage has entered its third year, with the themes “A World of Phygital” in 2020, “Chapter Infinity” in 2021 and “Me, Myself & Us” in 2022, reflecting the rapidly changing times over these past three years.

The pandemic drove us to a Phygital lifestyle. Livestream, WFH and Zoom were born, quickly becoming the norm.

Infinity represents possibility. Impossible becomes I'm possible.

This year, we explore D&I - diversity and inclusion - two buzzwords in the fashion industry.

On the runway, models of all shapes, sizes and skin tones are the first step for Diversity. Behind the scenes, the equal participation of different races and genders in the creative process still has a long journey ahead before reaching true Inclusivity.

Diversity, inclusion and acceptance can be seen as far back as 40 years ago, in the legendary movie “Star Wars” by George Lucas. The human Jedi, the almost 1000 year old Yoda, the memorable giant Jabba the Hutt, Chewie, the long-haired Wookie, the controversial Jar Jar Binks and more all coexist across different planets, and are all accepted as who they are.

One figure spearheading the movement towards authentic diversity & inclusion is Rihanna, who has also shown that upholding these values can be a winning business model. The entrepreneur, singer and makeup mogul founded the beauty brand Fenty Beauty with 40 shades of foundation at launch, embracing all different skin tones. She then went on to launch the Savage x Fenty underwear brand, inviting models like the pregnant Slick Woods alongside models with mobility aids and models of varying body types, redefining the standard of beauty and successfully bringing a new and long-awaited change to the fashion industry.

To distinguish “me” and “you” does not need to be a confrontation, but an acceptance. "Us" does not mean all assimilating to the same thing, but rather a sharing - respecting each person's characteristics and accepting each other. Unity can be difficult but it is the source of true strength and potential, and the Force behind everything.

This year, we brings together x brands. I look forward to watching these New Forces of Fashion shining more brightly together, as a united front.

Kat Yeung

Asia’s fashion spotlight CENTRESTAGE returns next month

Asia’s fashion spotlight CENTRESTAGE returns next month

Designers and brands take innovative approach amid pandemic

Annual event opens to public visitors for the first time

 

19 August 2021 – CENTRESTAGE, Asia’s premier fashion event, returns in September for its sixth edition, running in a physical format from 10 to 12 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the show features more than 200 brands from over 20 countries and regions and close to 30 fashion events, offering an ideal platform through which brands and designers can showcase their creativity in the fashion arena and demonstrate their resilience in overcoming the recent challenges. For the first time, the show will open to public visitors for the entire duration of the event.

HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau said: “Last year’s CENTRESTAGE was held virtually, but I am delighted that the event has been able to overcome limitations resulting from the pandemic and return in the physical format in 2021, helping to showcase more fashion brands and budding designers from Asia and across the globe. The show provides a comprehensive promotional platform through which fashion talents can present their latest collections and connect with global buyers and fashionistas. This year’s CENTRESTAGE is particularly meaningful as designers have gone through so many challenges as a result of the pandemic. They are facing up to the new environment with fresh ideas and a spark of innovation in their creations.”

 

Overcoming pandemic challenges, fostering industry interaction
CENTRESTAGE 2021 will have “Chapter Infinity” as its central theme, encouraging those in the fashion industry to take creative approaches and reignite their inspiration in the pandemic era, exploring the countless opportunities that lie ahead. The event will feature three thematic zones: ALLURE – representing craftsmanship, refinement and elegance; ICONIC – displaying avant-garde designs; and METRO – showcasing contemporary, minimalistic expressions of urban life. This year’s event will feature over 200 fashion brands, including more than 120 brands from Hong Kong. Although travel restrictions remain in effect between Hong Kong and the rest of the world, some brands and industry organisations outside Hong Kong will send local representatives to participate in the event, including the Taiwan Textile Federation, Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Center, Italian fashion promotion organisation Ente Moda Italia (EMI) and new joiner Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Amalty from Kazakhstan.

In addition, overseas buyers that have been invited to conduct video business meetings with exhibitors include 3NY from the United States, Germany’s Encode Fashion, Thailand’s Bluepin and Vietnam’s Runway. Local fashion buyers such as Club 21, D-mop, Harvey Nichols, I.T, Lane Crawford and online fashion store Farfetch have also been invited.

 

CENTRESTAGE ELITES show boosted by XR, artiste Hins Cheung gives support
The spotlight opening gala show on 10 September, CENTRESTAGE ELITES, will see the global launch of the latest 2022 Spring/Summer collections from local designers Calvin Chan and Joyce Kun’s renowned brand The World Is Your Oyster, as well as acclaimed Korean designer Lee Mooyeol’s brand, YOUSER. Lee Mooyeol won’t be able to come to Hong Kong himself, but he is actively involved in the show’s production. Celebrity singer and fashionista Hins Cheung will attend the event, which will use extended reality (XR) for added impact, and give his support to the designers. The show will be livestreamed through the CENTRESTAGE website and social media platforms Facebook and Instagram, employing augmented reality (AR) effects to enhance the online viewing experience.

 

Wide array of fashion shows presented by local design talents
The HKTDC has organised a series of activities around the world. With profound experience gained through international fashion weeks, a number of local designers will present their latest collections at Hong Kong Emerging Talents Show on 10 September and Fashion Go Places on 11 September.

Another highlight of this year’s CENTRESTAGE will be the final of the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers’ Contest 2021 (YDC) held on 12 September. The VIP judges will be Rushemy Botter and Lisi Herrebrugh, founders of menswear label BOTTER. The 10 shortlisted candidates will compete for four honours, including overall champion, the Excellence Award, Best Visual Presentation Award and My Favourite Collection Award. Members of the public can vote for their favourite collection online and stand the chance to win one of seven HK$2,000 Lee Gardens Area e-gift certificates sponsored by Hysan Development.

Local online fashion hub FASHIONALLY.com will feature its FASHIONALLY Collection #17 fashion show on 10 September, presenting rising local fashion designers and labels. Other Hong Kong brands will combine a fashion short film with an onsite performance at FASHIONALLY Presentations on 10 September and 11 September, providing a creative showcase for their 2022 Spring/Summer collections.

Fashion Summit (Hong Kong) 2021, an international forum focused on sustainable development in the fashion industry, will take place on 9 and 10 September with the theme “Design for the Future”. Redress, a local non-governmental organisation promoting sustainable fashion, will present the Grand Final of the Redress Design Award 2021, the world’s largest sustainable fashion design competition, on 11 September. Local fashion brands Sparkle by Karen Chan and The Sparkle Collection will launch their new collections at CENTRESTAGE. Well-known key opinion leader Lilian Kan will also showcase her designs at the fair for the first time. Other events include the Hong Kong Kids Fashion Show and “LEGO x Hong Kong Designers Parade” on 12 September, while the “Watch x Fashion” Lucky Draw Session will take place on the weekend of 11-12 September.

 

CENTRESTAGE in Town citywide events
CENTRESTAGE in Town features a series of fashion events beyond the CENTRESTAGE fairground, collaborating with some 100 Hong Kong boutiques, shopping malls and cultural landmarks to generate a fashion buzz across the city. Highlighted events include:

Date (Year 2021) Event Venue
From today to 5 Jan 2022 Exhibition – “NOT a fashion store!” Hong Kong Museum of Art
From today to 31 Dec PMQ Creative Workshop Series PMQ
From today to 5 Sept Fashion Walk HK Designers Concept Pop-up Store (inside Philip Gold Curation) Fashion Walk, Kingston Street, Causeway Bay
20 Aug to 12 Sept JCCAC X PMQ Collaborative Exhibition: But Wing-ki PMQ
27 Aug to 6 Sept CENTRESTAGE Fashion Showcase Harbour City Gateway Arcade
1-9 Sept CENTRESTAGE Digital Gallery D2 Place TWO
1-9 Sept CENTRESTAGE Pop-up Shop (Whitelisted by Novelty Lan & Fashion Farm Foundation) D2 Place ONE
4-5 Sept, 11-12 Sept, 18-19 Sept, 25-16 Sept  D2 Place Weekend Market D2 Place ONE
4-6 Sept JCCAC Handicraft Fair Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre (JCCAC)
20 Sept to 3 Oct JCCAC X PMQ Collaborative Exhibition: Chan Ting PMQ

 

Photo download: https://bit.ly/3ATSnRt

Speaking at today’s CENTRESTAGE press conference, Benjamin Chau, Deputy Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, said CENTRESTAGE has overcome limitations resulting from the pandemic to return in a physical format, featuring more than 200 brands from over 20 countries and regions
Felix Chung, Chairman of the Fashion Summit (HK) 2021 Steering Committee, spoke at the CENTRESTAGE press conference
From left to right: Panther Chan, ANSONBEAN and Hong Kong designer Calvin Chan. The two celebrities wore outfits by The World Is Your Oyster at the CENTRESTAGE press conference
Local design brands joined today’s CENTRESTAGE press conference
Hong Kong fashion designers Calvin Chan and Joyce Kun (brand: The World Is Your Oyster)（left）, and Korean designer Lee Mooyeol (brand: YOUSER)（right）, will launch their 2022 Spring/Summer collections at CENTRESTAGE’s opening gala show, CENTRESTAGE ELITES
Rabee’a Yeung, emcee of the CENTRESTAGE 2021 press conference, was dressed in Match Showroom.
A fashion parade at the press conference presented designs by two of the featured brands from CENTRESTAGE ELITES and some of the other brands participating in CENTRESTAGE

 

Websites

 

Media enquiries

For more information or to request interviews, please contact the HKTDC’s Communications and Public Affairs Department:

Snowy Chan

Tel: (852) 2584 4537

Email: snowy.sn.chan@hktdc.org

Agnes Wat

Tel: (852) 2584 4554

Email: agnes.ky.wat@hktdc.org

 

About HKTDC

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on  Twitter @hktdc and  LinkedIn