var utag_data = ({"site_subsection" : "Press", "page_name" : "Press Releases - Hong Kong fosters stronger economic ties with Thailand", "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

Hong Kong fosters stronger economic ties with Thailand

Hong Kong fosters stronger economic ties with Thailand

MOU facilitates trade promotion, creates business opportunities

 

11 September 2021 –With business travel continuing to be restricted due to the global pandemic, Hong Kong is exploring ways to foster stronger economic ties with its trading partners. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Thai Ministry of Commerce’s Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) today ratified a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at CENTRESTAGE, Asia’s premier fashion event organised by the HKTDC. The MOU, which renews one signed in 2018, aims to promote trade and business activities, enhance the exchange of trade-related information, and strengthen the economic partnership between Hong Kong and Thailand.

HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau said: “The HKTDC and DITP are pleased to cooperate in organising exchange, training and marketing activities such as trade fairs, seminars and forums to facilitate communication and cooperation between the business communities of Hong Kong and Thailand. Under the renewed MOU, small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups in selected target industries of Hong Kong and Thailand will be encouraged to participate or feature in online platforms (www.thaitrade.com and www.hktdc.com), mobile applications and trade fairs of the DITP and HKTDC to promote their products and services to international markets.”

The target industries include decorative arts and crafts, houseware, furniture, toys, gems and jewellery, garment and fashion accessories, food and beverage, pet supplies, cosmetics and personal care, gifts and premium, stationery, spa products, medical devices and supplies, electronics and information communications technology, printing and packaging, as well as natural and organic products. Service industries such as healthcare, finance, infrastructure and real estate services, design and marketing, and film and animation are also covered.

Mr Chau continued: “To help SMEs and start-ups capture the opportunities arising from the shift to online business, the two organisations will also enhance collaboration in the digital economy, such as in e-commerce promotions, webinars, virtual trade fairs and showcases, and online business matching activities, in order to provide enterprises with technology support and solutions to improve their capabilities. With the surge of online business activities under the pandemic, it is important for enterprises to make good use of technology to capture business opportunities.”

“To promote Thailand’s exports during the pandemic, Mr Jurin Laksanawisit, Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Ministry of Commerce, has progressive policies to enhance Thailand market access to the world. By providing multiple levels of SME training and new trade promotion techniques called “Mirror – Mirror” which enables Thai entrepreneurs to exhibit their products at international trade fairs without attending in person. We are very happy to strengthen our cooperation with the HKTDC.  We also look forward to our businesses taking part in a wider scope of HKTDC activities”, said Chanunpat Pisanapipong, Trade Commissioner and Consul of Thailand’s DITP.  

Thailand is Hong Kong’s 10th-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade totalling US$17.3 billion in 2020. Hong Kong exports to Thailand amounted to US$6.3 billion last year while the city imported US$11.1 billion worth of goods from the country.

CENTRESTAGE (10-12 September), currently running at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), features more than 200 fashion brands from 24 countries and regions. The debut Thai Pavilion, organised by the DITP, showcases 17 Thai fashion brands that participate in a Thailand fashion start-up incubation project called QUARTED. The pavilion symbolises increased collaboration between the DITP and HKTDC in promoting Thai fashion brands in Hong Kong.

Running concurrently with CENTRESTAGE, the HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and Salon de TE (8-12 September) are being held at the HKCEC.

 

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

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), represented by Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau (right), and the Thai Ministry of Commerce’s Department of International Trade Promotion, represented by Trade Commissioner and Consul Chanunpat Pisanapipong (left), ratified a renewed memorandum of understanding at CENTRESTAGE, Asia’s premier fashion event organised by the HKTDC. The agreement was witnessed by Bernard Chan (centre), Convenor of the Executive Council, HKSAR, and Chairman of the Hong Kong – Thailand Business Council.
A fashion parade showcasing the creativity of Thailand’s home-grown designers and labels was held today at CENTRESTAGE

 

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

 

To view press releases in Chinese, please visit http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/tc

 

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