#MeMyselfAndUs
powered by Vogue Hong Kong
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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
JUNW Natural
Sustainable fashion brand JUNW Natural crafts clothes made from high quality silk. The brand incorporates the mantra “follow your heart” into its designs, and hopes that women can be inspired to pursue their dreams.
1/ What does ‘diversity’ mean to you?
To me, diversity is about the understanding of brand identity in relation to multiple factors including race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual identity, ability/disability, and geography.
2/ How is ‘diversity’ reflected in your latest design?
In 2022, our designs responded more to the concepts of identity, culture, the body, accessibility, the environment, and social justice. Using an anti-oppressive framework that centered around body justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, our brand was challenged to rethink how we included different bodies. We thought about which bodies we catered to through our designs and which bodies were routinely marginalised and left out.
3/ How would you define the aesthetic of JunW Natural?
Modern and romantic.
4/ As a designer, what inspires you the most?
Coco Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, Alexander McQueen
5/ Why are natural fabrics a better choice? What unique texture has it brought to your latest collection?
A wide range of textiles can be considered ‘natural fabrics’. There are plant-based materials like cotton, linen or bamboo as well as materials taken from living creatures like silk, wool, cashmere, feather and fur (which is forbidden nowadays). Since these fabrics stem from nature, we will feel a stronger connection towards nature and the comfort it can bring. Most importantly, these materials are more biodegradable, and cause less long-term damage to the planet.
6/ What is your vision for the future of natural fabrics?
Since the cost of synthetic fabric is still much lower compared with natural fabrics, the majority of brands will still use synthetic fabrics. However, I think there is still a market for natural fabrics. As people become more aware of the negative impacts synthetic fabrics have on the environment, I foresee that more brands will see an increased demand in natural fabrics.