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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

Young Fashion Designers’Contest 2021 winners revealed

Young Fashion Designers’ Contest 2021 winners revealed

Talent of 10 young HK designers shines at fashion show

 

 

14 September 2021 – Asia’s leading fashion event CENTRESTAGE, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded on 12 September with the 2021 Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers’ Contest (YDC). Ten promising local designers showcased their creations at an eye-catching fashion show with celebrities Denis Kwok (aka 193) and Bonnie Wong (aka Ah Jeng) showing up as special guests to add to the celebratory atmosphere. Following the catwalk parade, a judging panel of industry professionals picked out three winners from a pool of 10 for the four YDC awards. Champion and winner of the Best Visual Presentation Award Cady Lee received a monetary reward together with a one-month overseas internship sponsored by Fang Brothers Knitting Ltd.

Moon”

 

The winners at YDC 2021 were as follows:

Champion and Best Visual Presentation Award:  Cady Lee. Design: “Emotion the Shift of the Self”
Excellence Award:Toki Wong. Design: “Zoom Olympic”
My Favourite Collection Award: Topsy Yu. Design: “Morning Moon”

 

Champion CadyLee said her collection, “Emotion the Shift of the Self”, was inspired by the contradiction between imagination and reality, using bold silhouettes and liquid-effect prints to illustrate a surrealist aesthetic. In addition to winning first prize, the collection also received the Best Visual Presentation Award. “I am very surprised to receive these two awards. Even though there were a lot of setbacks during the whole design process, I came to the show today with equanimity. Thank you to all the staff who provided their support over the past two months,” Ms Lee said after receiving the award. She added that she has gained a lot of experience through the competition and plans to in participate more overseas design contests in the future, setting a long-term goal of launching her own brand.

 

Judges offer valuable feedback to YDC participants
The judging panel for this year’s YDC was made up of an impressive roster of fashion experts and media pundits. Chief Judge was Katherine Fang, Chairman of the HKTDC Garment Advisory Committee. The other judges on the panel were Jonathan Lee, Senior Area Manager (Asia) of Tomorrow Ltd; Innis Liu, General Merchandising Manager of Harvey Nichols; Kat Yeung, Editorial Director of VOGUE Hong Kong; Kieran Ho, Senior Vice President-Hong Kong, Purple PR; and Jason Lam, Head of Brand, Asia Pacific at MATCHESFASHION.

Rushemy Botter and Lisi Herrebrugh, founders of the menswear label BOTTER, were invited as VIP judges. Although they were not able to come to Hong Kong to participate in the show, they shared a message via video, saying: “Thank you for having us at the Young Designers’ Contest. It was great to see a very personal approach to each of the projects. Finding richness within yourself is key and we were super happy to see this in all the finalists’ work.”

 

Winning collection showcase and sharing session
From now through to 26 September, the public can appreciate the skills shown in the winning YDC 2021 collections at a display at Hysan Place in Causeway Bay. In addition, various fashion creations from Hong Kong designers are also available for sale at the Hysan Place x YDC Collective Popup Store.

Details of the various YDC 2021 activities are as follows:

 

YDC 2021 Winning Collection Display
Period: 14 September to 26 September 2021
Time: 12pm-8pm
Venue: Urban Sky, 9/F, Hysan Place, Causeway Bay
Display items: The collections of the YDC 2021 Champion and winners of the Best Visual Presentation Award, Excellence Award and My Favourite Collection Award

 

Hysan Place x YDC Collective Popup
Period: 14 September to 26 September 2021
Time: 12pm-8pm
Venue: Urban Sky, 9/F, Hysan Place, Causeway Bay
Brands on sale: Aquarellie, ARTO., CONEY & Co, KEVIN HO, Lapeewee, LUKE CHAN,
MODEMENT, MOODLABBYLORRAINE, Phenotypsetter, Syzygy Outdoor   
Gear, The Pills Clothing, VO-yage, WHY, YMDH

 

Winning collections photo download: https://bit.ly/3tFTamP

Winning collections Hysan Place display photo download: https://bit.ly/3C4fKIG

Championand Best Visual Presentation Award

Designer: CadyLee

Design: “Emotion the Shift of the Self”

The design:
I wanted tocreate a collection about the contradiction between imagination and reality. Itdepicts the concept of the surreal transition and distortion from the physicalto the astral. Bold silhouettes symbolise emotional explosions, while liquideffects depict the transformation of real into surreal.

Championprizes: (1) A cash award of HK$60,000; (2) An overseas study trip, sponsored byFang Brothers Knitting Ltd

BestVisual Presentation Award Prize: (1)A cash award of HK$10,000

ExcellenceAward

Designer: Toki Wong

Design: “Zoom Olympic”

The design:
If the OlympicGames are conducted in digital format, what effect will this have on theparticipants? Through this collection, I explore the idea of how one shouldcope with challenges when situations don’t turn out how you expect.

ExcellenceAward prizes: (1) A cash award of HK$40,000; (2) An overseas studytrip, sponsored by MINI HK

My FavouriteCollection Award

Designer: Topsy Yu

Design:“MorningMoon”

The design: “Morning Moon” is a historical story about the Chinese character “曌”. Inspired by the traditionalclothing of the Tang Dynasty, contemporary craftsmanship is used to reinterpretancient design. It combines rigidity and softness, revealing the inner strengthof a woman.

Prize: A HK$10,000 LeeGardens Area e-Gift certificates sponsored by Hysan Development
Celebrity Denis Kwok (aka 193) exchangedhis fashion insights with the contestants backstage before the show. Whentrying on Champion designer Cady Lee’s collection, he praised its theatricalstyle and said he looked forward to wearing the outfits with fellow members ofhis group ERROR at one of their concerts
Bonnie Wong (aka Ah Jeng)was guest host for a special show which featured fashion and automobileelements on the show night, adding to the celebratory atmosphere of YDC 2021
From now through to 26 September, the public canappreciate the skills shown in the winning YDC 2021 collections through adisplay at Hysan Place in Causeway Bay

 

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 YDC

The YDC aims to promote a new generation of local design talent, while creating opportunities to showcase their collections in front of global and local industry professionals at CENTRESTAGE. Organised by the HKTDC, the contest is considered one of the most prestigious events of its kind in the region, with a successful track record of past contestants becoming leading designers for fashion enterprises or establishing their own labels. To further promote the international visibility of local Hong Kong designers, in 2012 the HKTDC launched FASHIONALLY.com, an online platform that showcases the work of local labels and talents and links them with global industry insiders and opportunities.

 

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