#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
KOWLOON CITY BOY
Kowloon City Boy by Toki Wong incorporates local elements and bold colours to highlight the beauty of Asian people. In just six months, this brand has become one of the most coveted brands amongst the new generation.
1/ What does diversity mean to you?
To me, diversity in fashion means breaking the rigid definition of aesthetics, and that all possibilities of "beauty" should be embraced and accepted.
2/ How does diversity inspire your designs?
As an independent brand, we hope to bring a new perspective to the market. The charm of Hong Kong boys has always been overlooked or even looked down upon in comparison to boys of other races and from other regions. It is true that there are differences in build and body shape between people of different races, but these differences are neither superior nor inferior to one another. Asian men do not look like foreign models when they wear clothes from Western brands because these garments do not bring out the unique appeal of Hong Kong men. We hope to highlight the style of Hong Kong men through our designs and bring a more diverse aesthetic perspective to the market.
3/ How do you define the style of Kowloon City Boy?
Kowloon City Boy is your boy next door. He is bold and has fun by living in the moment.
4/ What influences your design style the most?
I like to incorporate my experiences and feelings into my designs. Everything and everyone I encounter in this city becomes my inspiration. Recently, I’ve been feeling that the city is too depressing and the people around me are too serious. Between everyday chaos and the pandemic, people have almost forgotten about the rush that comes from living in the moment. Therefore, I’ve been designing casually lately (and just messing about). I’ve been really liking the retro sports style of the ‘80s. The bold and bright colours make people happy!
5/ Kowloon City Boy believes fashion is not unattainable, but accessible and down-to-earth. How does the brand’s latest collection reflect this belief?
The concept behind Kowloon City Boy is to create designs that are more wearable and fun. The pieces in the collection are just the right amount of beautiful and are designed to be worn 99% of the time. They are comfortable, practical, not too plain but not too flashy either. These clothes can be worn every day during shopping trips, to go out for meals and even to exercise — people won’t have to worry about letting beautiful clothes sit at the back of their wardrobes because they can’t find the right occasion to wear them.
6/ You once said that fashion and the city where we live are interrelated. How was your latest collection influenced by local culture?
I didn't intentionally try to include local cultural elements in the design, but since I was born and raised in Hong Kong, the decisions I make in my designs naturally reflect the culture and aesthetics of this city. For example, the colour combinations in my collections are inspired by the overlapping signs that appear in Hong Kong’s old neighbourhoods. The designs feature a mix of Chinese and English and the puns we use on an everyday basis, alongside inside jokes that only Hong Kong people will understand.