Future Tribes: Asia’s top fashion event Centrestage opens in September

Fashion elites come together to provide new impetus to industry

Centrestage, Asia’s premier fashion event, returns in September for its fourth edition, running from 4 to 7 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), and sponsored by Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region*, the show features some 240 brands and more than 40 fashion events, offering an ideal platform for fashion brands and designers to gain international exposure, and helping to reinforce Hong Kong’s position as a leading fashion hub in the region.

Speaking at a media preview of the event today, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau said: “CENTRESTAGE returns once again to provide a comprehensive promotional platform through which Asian fashion brands and budding designers can launch and present their latest fashion collections and connect with global buyers and fashionistas at the same time. I am happy to see a greater number of local and international fashion brands participating at this year’s CENTRESTAGE, underscoring the event’s position as Asia’s leading launch and marketing platform for fashion brands and highlighting its ability to create diverse business opportunities.”

CENTRESTAGE is Asia’s leading launch and marketing platform for fashion brands, said Benjamin Chau

Centrestage

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International brands help to foster industry interaction

CENTRESTAGE 2019 will have “Future Tribes” as its central theme. 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 show will feature some 240 fashion brands, including more than 80 local brands along with international labels from Mainland China, France, Italy, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, the United States and more. Thirty-six buying missions comprising about 1,600 international fashion buyers have been organised to visit the event, providing opportunities for designers to interact with the industry and get useful market insights.

Famous brands ANAÏS JOURDEN and ALTUZARRA stage fashion show

The spotlight opening gala show on 4 September (Wednesday), CENTRESTAGE ELITES, will see the global launch of the latest 2020 Spring collections from Hong Kong designer Anais Mak’s internationally renowned brand, ANAÏS JOURDEN, as well as acclaimed New York designer Joseph Altuzarra’s brand, ALTUZARRA.

ANAÏS JOURDEN and ALTUZARRA will showcase on the runway

Promoting industry development and nurturing new designers

Following CENTRESTAGE ELITES, the Fashion Hong Kong Runway Show on the evening of 4 September will feature seven local designer labels that have made an impact around the world, including 112mountainyam (Designer: Mountain Yam), DORISKATH (Designer: Doris Kath Chan), FROM ANOTHER PLANETS (Designer: Kenax Leung), HARRISON WONG (Designer: Harrison Wong), MEIKING NG (Designer: June Ng), METHODOLOGY (Designer: Glori Tsui) and YEUNG CHIN (Designer: Yeung Chin). Following their participation in international fashion weeks in New York, London, Copenhagen and Tokyo under the Fashion Hong Kong banner, these designers will present their latest collections at CENTRESTAGE, demonstrating Hong Kong’s creative prowess.

the Fashion Hong Kong Runway Show on the evening of 4 September will feature seven local designer labels

Another highlight of this year’s CENTRESTAGE will be the finals of the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers’ Contest 2019 (YDC) held on 7 September (Saturday). The VIP judge for YDC 2019 is Mihara Yasuhiro, a renowned Japanese designer, who will share his insightful critiques with the finalists. The 16 shortlisted candidates will compete for five honours, including champion, first runner-up, second runner-up, the New Talent Award and Best Footwear Design Award. The winners will be announced on the same day.

Local online fashion hub FASHIONALLY.com will feature its FASHIONALLY Collection #14 fashion show on 4 September (Wednesday), presenting eight rising local fashion designers and labels. Three up-and-coming Hong Kong brands, Charlotte Ng Studio, Fake Fan and SFZ & SON, will combine art installations with fashion parades at the FASHIONALLY Presentation, providing a creative showcase for their latest collections.

Furthermore, the “Meet the Visionaries” seminar series will feature CENTRESTAGE ELITES participants Anais Mak and Joseph Altuzarra, YDC VIP judge Mihara Yasuhiro, online fashion platform GOXIP’s Vice President Marketing Michele Tardelli, and Euromonitor International’s Head of Fashion Research Jorge Martin. These fashion visionaries will share their inspirations and the latest fashion trends at the seminars, offering crucial insights to students, designers and fashionistas looking to join the industry.

Redress, a local non-governmental organisation promoting sustainable fashion, will present the Redress Design Award, the world’s largest sustainable fashion design competition, on 5 September (Thursday), sponsored by CreateHK. The Knitwear Innovation and Design Society will present the Knitwear Symphony 2019 and the ninth Hong Kong Knitwear Designers’ Contest on 6 September (Friday) to promote Hong Kong’s knitwear industry.

Hong Kong in Fashion

Running from 17 August to 30 September, Hong Kong in Fashion features over 90 fashion events beyond the CENTRESTAGE fairground, collaborating with more than 90 Hong Kong fashion boutiques, restaurants, hotels and cultural landmarks to generate “fashion heat” across the city. Highlighted events include:

• A photo gallery to showcase fashion designs from fair participating brands will be staged at Fashion Walk’s Kingston Street (17 August to 1 September)
• A fashion photo exhibit will be arranged on the ground floor of Lee Theatre in Causeway Bay (23-29 August)
• A group of trendy buskers and dancers dressed in outfits created by participating fair designers will perform on the ground floor of Lee Theatre in Causeway Bay (24 to 25 August)
• A group of young dancers will perform a flash mob dance performance at Mira Place, The Mira Hong Kong hotel and on Mira Steps in Tsim Sha Tsui (25 August)
• The Mira Hong Kong hotel’s COCO café and patisserie in Tsim Sha Tsui will run limited Bombshell cake and tea set desserts with a CENTRESTAGE theme (25 August to 24 September)
• Singer Lung Siu-kwan and fashion gurus will hold a fashion and live music event at D2 Place in Kowloon (27 August)
• A fashion parade featuring professional models will be held on Paterson Street in Causeway Bay to showcase collections from the two CENTRESTAGE ELITES 2019 designers (31 August)
• A group of secondary school students will showcase their evening dress collections along with a live music performance performed by their schoolmates at Lee Tung Avenue in Wan Chai (31 August)
• A fashion-themed floristry workshop will be held at Lee Tung Avenue in Wan Chai, where participants can create their own memorabilia (31 August to 1 September).

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FWO

Hong Kong Fashion Week for Spring/Summer Opens

Latest collections from 1,000+ exhibitors; fashion tech in focus

The 26th HKTDC Hong Kong Fashion Week for Spring/Summer opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) and will run until 11 July. Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the show has gathered around 1,000 exhibitors from 12 countries and regions to present the latest fashion designs, international brands, garments, fabrics and accessories.

International presence at Fashion Week

Hong Kong Fashion Week for Spring/Summer has long been an ideal one-stop sourcing platform for the industry. This year’s show features 11 pavilions, including a debut appearance by the town of Humen, close to Dongguan City, Guangdong province, which has built a reputation as a producer of quality womenswear and children’s wear. Also setting up pavilions for the first time will be the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Indonesia and Thailand SME Development Banks, Kalasin province from Thailand, as well as Yuecheng district, Shaoxing and Yinzhou district, Ningbo from Mainland China. To create more business opportunities for exhibitors, the HKTDC has organised 91 buying missions from 42 countries and regions to visit the show, with more than 3,670 companies represented.

 
Hong Kong Fashion Week

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Latest fashion collections feature at themed zones

Various themed zones have been set up to showcase the latest fashion collections from around the world. The Corporate Fashion and Uniforms zone returns alongside the Hong Kong Designers Uniform Design Showcase, presenting uniform collections from Vickie Au, Doris Kath Chan, Aries Sin, Mountain Yam and Mary Yu. At the Fashion Gallery, which presents high-end fashion and designer collections, Hong Kong company MsEnvy is launching its high-end womenswear collection, made from silk and featuring delicate digitally printed patterns that have already proved popular among overseas buyers. The International Fashion Designers’ Showcase brings fashion accessories inspired by the hiragana characters created by renowned Japanese calligrapher Saori Kunihiro.

The Fashionable Sportswear, Intimate Wear & Swimwear zone will feature the latest Swim & Sweat collection from Thai womenswear brand Wakingbee, which has created unique garments capable of being used both as sportswear and swimwear. The Womenswear zone will present a wide range of fashion collections, with exhibitors including Hong Kong company Bazestation Clothing which has developed personalised designs for international retail brands such as ASOS, Arcadia Group and Urban Outfitters. Other product zones include Fabrics & Yarn, Infant & Children’s Wear, International Fashion Designers’ Showcase, Knitwear, Menswear and World of Fashion Accessories.

New fashion trends: high-tech garments and data-driven marketing

Innovative technologies are helping to kickstart a revolution in the fashion industry, and this year’s fair will focus on how high-tech ideas are being incorporated into fashion designs and business processes. At the Fashion Tech & Trade Services zone, local company iGarment (HK) is showcasing its cloud-based Garment Management System that allows retailers to facilitate the handling of the whole production process. PAD System International Limited presents a system that combines pattern making, design and collaboration, allowing designers to access files from the cloud and digitise the whole design development process from pattern design and grading to marker planning.

Various seminars are being held as part of the fair to bring participants up to date on the latest industry trends and technological developments. The first seminar today featured Michael Leow, Asia/Pacific Sales & Marketing Head at leading fashion trend forecaster Fashion Snoops, who examined the upcoming trends for menswear, womenswear and accessories for the Autumn/Winter 2020/21 season, giving industry players a clearer idea of where the business opportunities will be. International fashion parades were held throughout today, while this evening’s networking reception and international fashion parade will be officiated by Felix Chung, who represents the Textiles and Garment Functional Constituency in Hong Kong’s Legislative Council.

The “Next Stop for Fashion Tech” seminar, held tomorrow (9 July), features Dr Li Li, Associate Professor, Institute of Textiles and Clothing at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, who has won several international research awards. She will talk about the business opportunities presented by her team’s work in developing infrared textiles that have insulating, germ-resisting and microcirculation-boosting capabilities. The team’s development won a Gold Medal at the 47th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva. In addition, Super X Sportswear Group will share its latest textiles produced using equilibrium technology that helps prevent falls and improve body balance. CRT Innovative Ltd will demonstrate its seamless bonding technology, which allows fabrics to be joined together without using stitching, helping to achieve optimum comfort for the wearer.

The e-commerce trend continues to gather momentum, with the global value of online shopping expected to reach US$50 billion by 2020. To help the industry maximise the benefits of this trend, the “New Retail Era: Fashion x E-commerce Strategies” seminar on 10 July will bring together several industry leaders to examine e-commerce strategies. Leading Asian influencer platform Cloudbreakr will explore ways to use artificial intelligence to establish marketing plans for online influencers in a bid to increase brand affinity and facilitate sales conversion. International online shopping platform ZALORA will share strategies to increase brand strength through data marketing and brand collaboration, while ECMS Global will introduce a cutting-edge cross-border logistics solution that aligns with the fashion industry’s online shopping retail model.

About the 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 SMEs, in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via trade publications, research reports and digital news channels.

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FWO

Hong Kong Will Presents latest fashion collections and market intelligence

The 26th HKTDC Hong Kong Fashion Week for Spring/Summer will curtain up at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 8-11 July 2019. The four-day fair is expected to welcome some 1,000 exhibitors from across the globe, presenting a wide array of spring/summer clothing, designers’ collections, international brands, garment and fabrics, and fashion accessories. As a premier sourcing platform for global buyers, the Hong Kong Fashion Week is also a gateway to vivacious markets of Mainland China and Asia, making it one of the must-attend global events in the fashion industry.

Surge in fashion technology

The fashion industry has always been fast-paced, and with the adoption of technology, it has the capacity to change even faster and varied in greater extent. The fair has been keeping abreast of the industry pulse to enrich the fair content. The “Fashion Tech” zone is established to cater the industry demand in optimising manufacturing process and business process. iGarment (Hong Kong) Ltd will present its iGarment Garment Management System, which is an innovative cloud-based garment production coordination system covering everything from sample development to production progress and shipping. The company has also developed RFID production management system which allows collecting real-time production data to evaluate the productivity and performance of workers.

 
Hong Kong Fashion Week

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Themed zones return with splendour

To optimise buyers’ targeted sourcing experience and provide maximum exposure for different fashion sectors, the fair is categorised with different thematic zones. Riding on the success of the debut of “Corporate Fashion and Uniforms” zone last year, the zone will be established again to feature a wide range of professional apparel choices for various industries. And, the still-growing trend to athleisure wear is highlighted in “Fashionable Sportswear” zone for exercise, sports and casual activities. A Thai exhibitor Wakingbee will showcase its gym and beach-friendly sportwear crossover collection with a famous Thai actress and guest designer Taew (Nattaporn Tameerak).

“International Fashion Designers’ Showcase” will gather most talented fashion designers’ collections from Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand among others. “Fashion Gallery” where chic fashion and brand labels continue to be in the limelight while “Emporium de Mode” will present selected elegant fashion brands.

Other popular zones, including Menswear, Womenswear, Infant & Children’s Wear, Fabrics & Yarn, Intimate Wear & Swimwear will return with more product offerings.

Exciting events on the scene

To catch the global buyers’ eyes, an amazing line-up of fashion designers will put on up-and-coming fashion parades during the fair period. Veteran from the renowned international trend forecasting agency Fashion Snoops will present a seminar on Visionary Trends for Autumn Winter 2020/21 for Women’s and Men’s Wear and Accessories, while other industry professionals will share insights on technology on functional apparel, fashion e-tailing and market development. Networking reception in a relaxing ambience will also be arranged for global buyers, exhibitors and industry professionals to exchange opinions and expand business network.

New era of connectivity

The HKTDC Marketplace App introduces “e-Business Card” function, which facilitates the connection between buyers and exhibitors to make new real-time contacts by simply scanning the contact’s QR code. In addition, it allows users to use hashtags, note-taking and photo-taking functions to manage their contact lists. The App also features “e-Badge” giving buyers and exhibitors seamless access to the fairground. Other features include official fair catalogues and product magazines, event schedules, small orders management and more, making it a convenient mobile business platform.

About the 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 trade publications, research reports and digital news channels.

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FWO

Hong Kong Trade Development Council Captures Awards Excellence

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is pleased to have received two major awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The Gold Excellence in Economic Development Award in the Special Event category and Silver Excellence in Economic Development Award in the Paid Advertising Campaign category both honor the HKTDC’s Fashion Hong Kong campaign at New York Fashion Week.

The awards were presented at a ceremony on Tuesday, Oct 2 at the IEDC Annual Conference, which was held Sept 29-Oct 3 in Atlanta, Georgia.

 
Awards Excellence in Economic Development Recognized by IEDC

“We are honored to receive these two awards from such an august body as the IEDC,” said Anthony Mak, HKTDC Director for New York.

“Fashion Hong Kong at New York Fashion Week is an extensive marketing program that includes runway shows, business meetings, market visits, media interviews, and post-show receptions. The project brings economic benefits to both the US and Hong Kong by creating jobs and fostering business development in the fashion and creative industries.

The project brings economic benefits to both the US and Hong Kong, said Anthony Mak

The Fashion Hong Kong campaign tactically promotes brand awareness for the event through selected media channels and social media platforms in the US market. Over time, this strategy has built a consistent image of Hong Kong as a trend-setting hub for fashion,” he added.

Fashion Hong Kong is an integrated and comprehensive campaign to promote Hong Kong designers and labels in the global fashion arena. It showcases Hong Kong’s fashion creativity and explores business opportunities for Hong Kong designers in the international marketplace. Held annually at New York Fashion Week since 2016, Fashion Hong Kong has brought nine fashion collections and 35 accessories brands to the event.

Fashion Hong Kong has been held annually at New York Fashion Week since 2016

“This year our judges reviewed some extraordinary projects that advanced both communities and businesses,” said Craig Richard, 2018 IEDC Board Chair, and President and CEO of the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation in Tampa, Florida.

This year our judges reviewed some extraordinary projects, said Craig Richard

“We congratulate all the award winners, and thank everyone who nominated their projects for sharing their success with fellow IEDC members. What we learn from each other helps us to grow and advance as a profession. We look forward to even greater participation from economic developers across the globe in the 2019 awards program.”

IEDC is the world’s largest membership organization for economic development professionals. Economic developers promote economic wellbeing and quality of life in their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC members represent the entire range of economic development. (Website: iedconline.org)

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Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)
Hong Kong Fashion Week

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FWO

YDC 2018: Rising stars steal the limelight

Represented by Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

The Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers’ Contest 2018 came to a spectacular close on 8September, in a celebration of youthful talent, diversity and alternative visions.

Led by VIP judge designer Martine Rose, who flew in from the UK for the event, the panel of judges – comprised of renowned industry personalities – had a difficult decision to make, given the level of talent on display. Out of 16 finalists, four winners were eventually chosen to receive five awards, but the experience itself was rewarding for all.

The finalists presented drastically different aesthetics and design visions, with youthful fearlessness the only common thread. There were plenty of experimentations on fabrics, deconstructive cutting and sewing and knitting techniques, resulting in 16 collections difficult to typecast.

Champion: Leo Chan

Chan’s menswear collection aims to revive the spirit of the German movement ‘Wandervögel’, which embraces nature and freedom as an antidote to hectic city life.The black and green colour scheme reflects the great outdoors, nature and the unknown. His outerwear really stole the show, with stylish looks for day trips and excursions.

Chan’s focus on functional techwear led him to create a jacket that doubles as a one-man tent in his collection. The use of checkered flannel shirts for an outdoor ensemble is an unexpected stylish touch that adds to the versatility of the collection.

As champion, Chan won an internship with Martine Rose, an internationally renowned UK menswear brand.

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First runner-up: Bicy Yip

At first glance it almost looks like Yip is making a political statement. But she is in fact exploring a different dilemma in her collection: Is science taking genetic modification too far? She mixes colours and shapes in a way that challenges the norm to make her point, resulting in pieces that have a bizarre, Frankenstein-like quality, such as a cape with a singular sleeve attached to a sweater designed to be worn upside down, and a knitted top held together with straps.

It is clear that she is trying to push the boundaries of knitwear. The fabrication, such as tubular jacquard with inlay stitch or embroidery, is inspired by human cells. The eye-popping palette of sharp neon–lime, marigold and poppy red–seem to send out warning signals.

Yip’s first runner-up prize includes a study trip abroad.

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Second runner-up and Best Footwear Design Award: Charlotte Ng

Ng presents a visual simulation of UK rock band Radiohead’s song “Everything in its Right Place”. By converting the track into sound waves, she works the lines and curves into her womenswear collection.

The silky-smooth fabric “grooves” freely, punctuated by the sturdy, double-faced wool to symbolise bold electronic beats. Each piece has a meticulously clean finish, with techniques from laser cut to hand stitching denoting perfect precision.

Ng serves up the collection with the same sentiment as Radiohead’s decade-old song: “It is perfect, it is everything!”

She matches this British rock-inspired ensemble with a pair of pointy ankle leather boots that earned the Best Footwear Design Award, which enabled her to launch a commercial capsule collection with i.tapparels Ltd. As second runner-up, she has also won an internship with CLOT Company Ltd.

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New Talent Award: Yeung Shun Leong

A spin-off of Nietzsche’s concept of “will to power”, Yeung’s menswear collection manifests this in the literal sense of “combat” with designs that simultaneously empower and protect. The result is a visually powerful collection in burgundy, white and grey.

Elements from different martial arts merge to create the ultimate combat gear, with jackets in oversized silhouettes – some with high necks pad and tie belts – referencing judo, fencing and boxing wear. The underarm panels in particular allow for great flexibility and movement. The designs are made more durable and robust with stone washing and waxing.

As recipient of the New Talent Award, Yeung will be developing a commercial collection in collaboration with JOYCE, which will be for sale at the renowned retailer.

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With love,

FWO

FASHIONALLY Presentation and FASHIONALLY Collection #12

Represented by Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

Three FASHIONALLY Presentations were held during CENTRESTAGE to offer guests first look at the latest collections by three up-and-coming designer labels, and their full-fledged visions.

Rather than a traditional runway, the presentations took place on a set, giving the designers the freedom to create a story that best served their collections. Guests were treated to an intimate look at the designs, enabling them to take in the choice of fabrics and workmanship at close range.

Tak Lee: A showcase of deconstruction

Tak Lee believes in the connection between form and construction and explores innovative sewing and craft techniques through his eponymous label. Using mainly natural fibres, his first collection “Season I” is an expression of clothing as an artistic embodiment of human sensation and history.

Inspired by an architect’s work on war-torn buildings, he uses draping and deconstruction to create unusual items with radical shapes. The neutral colour palette reflects the use of organic dyes such as teas and herbs.

Against a simple set that alluded to abandoned architecture, Lee presented a collection that brimming with conceptual flair and technique. Each item is meticulously cut to defy expectation, with numerous mix and match possibilities.

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REDEMPTIVE by Wilson Choi: Socially conscious rebels

REDEMPTIVE, a new menswear label by Wilson Choi making its debut at FASHIONALLY, carries the DNA of a rebellious younger generation. Choi sees fashion as a way of thinking and uses his design to reflect on social issues he cares about.

Titled “The Stolen Soul”, REDEMPTIVE’s SS 2019 collection is inspired by the movie “Ondskan”, which tells a harrowing story of bullying and loneliness in a Swedish private school in the 1950s.

The presentation was set in a ransacked locker room, the disarray and bruised faces of the models telling a story of restlessness and rebellion. It was a versatile first collection that combines preppiness conveyed by classic stripes and checks, and outerwear that highlights the designer’s interest in high-tech, functional fabrics.

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YLYstudio: When baroque meets embroidery

Launched by Lilian Tsang and Matt Hui in 2017, YLYstudio gives the tradition crafts of knitwear and embroidery a modern facelift and new place in contemporary fashion.

The presentation featured the label’s second collection, Project B, which utilises French embroidery with metallic sequins to form distinctive shapes inspired by Baroque curves, while sheer tunics, jackets and skirts create rich layering. The candy-coloured palette is juxtaposed with metallic details and loose-fitting menswear styling to offer an interesting take on boyish girliness.

Models posing and taking selfies on the transparent sofa by the ball pond made for some interesting and delightful visuals.

The presentation illustrated that the young label is on the right track: keeping the traditions of embroidery, hand knitting and craftsmanship alive, but always with a contemporary point of view.

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FASHIONALLY Collection #12

Apart from the three presentations, ten of Hong Kong’s emerging designers came together to present their Spring/Summer 2019 collections at the FASHIONALLY Collection #12 at CENTRESTAGE in early September. They proposed a multitude of looks for next season ranging from avant-garde and sporty to feminine and sexy, all the while injecting a fresh spin on perennial summer trends including florals, denim and transparency.

Two of the strongest collections in the bunch came from London College of Fashion graduate Kevin Ho and former YDC winner Necro Poon. KEVIN HO’s pared down collection included tailored blazers, waistcoats and trousers, which were accented by soft ruffles, folds of fabric or asymmetric hemlines. A stark white cocktail dress became a statement piece with its colourful rose embellishments.

In contrast, NECRO POON experimented with a more casual sporty look that centred around streetwear favourites such as sweatshirts – they were emblazoned with Roy Lichtenstein-style prints – and lightly-coloured denim. Instead of the typical cropped denim jacket he offered a much cooler duster-style coat with frayed edges and a risqué floor-length shirt dress with thigh-high slits up the sides.

Prints were also a running theme. 112 mountainyam designer Mountain Yam contrasted a stark barbed wire print with a colourful graphic design that depicted birds and other motifs inspired by the natural world. The final look consisted of a skirt and T-shirt with the word “dream,” both trimmed in rainbow feathers.

Blind by JW designers Walter Kong and Jessica Lau said that their prints were inspired by popular icons found in local culture. On the catwalk they looked faded or textured, adding an artistic touch to the collection. The printed halter tops and off the shoulder dress ticked all the right boxes, although at times the proportions seemed overwhelming.

On the topic of dresses – there will be plenty to choose from next season. CAR|2IE designer Carrie Kwok’slayered frocks came in shades of pink and purple, but looked complicated to wear. The oversized sheer nude dress with oversized ruffled sleeves was more appealing. Underneath the model wore a sexy nude slip dress for a cool yet confident look.

With her background in couture, one would presume that Yannes Wong of Lapeewee would go all out with her eveningwear. Her vision of formalwear for women, however, was contemporary. A little black dress was updated with a panel of pleated navy fabric at the front, while a cocktail dress was re-envisaged in dark denim with a pleated skirt and sheer shoulder straps. Not a dress lover? No problem. She also proposed wide legged trousers that could double as a skirt and tailored pinstriped jackets.

Shirley Wong also sent out some stellar evening looks under her brand, FromClothingOf. She referenced men’s wear, specifically from the turn of the 20th century, which she reworked into statement dresses that were both romantic and modern. A simple men’s waist coast formed the basis of many fantastic looks including a belted top and origami skirt combo and a sleeveless dress with asymmetric folds at the sides, layered on top of a sheer black blouse.

While most of the designers showed women’s wear, DEMO. designer Derek Chan took us to Paris for his men’s only collection. The berets and neckerchiefs may have added French flair but the clothes were wearable and included oversized trench coats, striped separates and shirts decorated with scripted handwriting (perhaps taken from French love letters?).

The French weren’t the only culture referenced in the show. Designers Yeung Chin and Jane Ng from phenotypsetter embraced a more conceptual approach, as pioneered by Japanese designers. Ng’s collection, aptly titled “Shatters and Layers,” experimented with looks consisting multiple of layers of colours, prints and even textures. One of the best was the white T-shirt covered with strips of red fabric paired with the red and white tulle skirt layered under crumpled plastic.

While Ng’s designs were playful, YEUNG CHIN opted for more edgy separates including long tops, parachute skirts and ruched dresses accented with ribbon ties and strips of fabrics that bring to mind technical gear. Gold and silver jackets and skirts added a futuristic touch.

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With love,

FWO

Redress Design Award Finalists

Following a global search for talent, the world’s largest sustainable fashion design competition culminated in a live Grand Final runway show last night in Hong Kong (6 September).

We’re pleased to announce Australian designer Tess Whitfort as Redress Design Award 2018 First Prize Winner!

As the world wakes up to the scale of our waste problem, the Redress Design Award represents a shining light of creativity and ingenuity amidst the backdrop of a global environmental crisis. This is even more relevant with media interest and Burberry’s very recent announcement that they will no longer burn unsold clothing and goods.

 
Redress Design Award Finalists

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Organized by Redress, a pioneering environmental charity working to cut waste out of fashion, the Redress Design Award has grown from strength to strength since its inception in 2011. The competition puts Hong Kong firmly on the map as a sustainable fashion hub whilst proving that waste can be a creative goldmine.

Other major prizes awarded announced last night include:

– Redress Design Award 2018 Second Prize with Orsola de Castro: Jesse Lee, Hong Kong

– Redress Design Award 2018 Hong Kong Best Prize Winner: Jesse Lee, Hong Kong

– Redress Design Award 2018 Special Prize with Cara G Winner: Sarah Jane Fergusson, Japan

– Redress Design Award 2018 Alumni Prize with kapok Winner: Claire Dartigues, France

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FWO

CENTRESTAGE ELITES 2018 to Feature Top Asian Designers

Represented by Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

CENTRESTAGE, Asia’s premier fashion event, will be held in Hong Kong for the third year from 5to 8 September.

The opening gala show, CENTRESTAGE ELITES, will see three of Asia’s most celebrated fashion designer labels–FACETASM from Japan, IDISM from Hong Kong and Ms MIN from the Chinese mainland–showcasing their latest 2019 Spring/Summer (SS19) collections for an international audience of trendsetters. Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) to consolidate Hong Kong’s position as a fashion hub in Asia, CENTRESTAGE offers a platform for international, especially Asian, fashion brands and designers to launch and promote their designs.

 
CENTRESTAGE ELITES 2018

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Spotlight onTop Asian Fashion Designers

The first evening of CENTRESTAGE 2018 will put three top Asian brands and their newest collections under the spotlight, including award-winning Japaneseavant-garde streetwear label FACETASM by Hiromichi Ochiai. FACETASM will present its latest collection at CENTRESTAGE ELITES, showcasing the designer’s bold and eclectic designs. Meanwhile, Hong Kong brand IDISM will launch its newest line of ready-to-wear womenswear at CENTRESTAGE ELITES. Design duo Julio Ng and Cyrus Wong debuted IDISM in 2016 and have since participated in Paris Fashion Week several times. In 2017, the label was selected as one of Vogue’s Talents, while also being dubbed “The Future of Asia” by YOHO! magazine. With the brand’s philosophy based on being active, true to nature, attuned to the senses and following a distinctive lifestyle, IDISM was created for the spontaneous lifestyle of the contemporary city woman, which manifests true beauty coming from within. At the same catwalk show, Chinese luxury womenswear label Ms MIN will reveal its newest collection. Its founder Min Liu, mentored by fashion mogul Sarah Rutson, has built a fashion empire around an aesthetic that seamlessly meshes modernity with classicism.

220+ Brands from around the World

As one of Asia’s signature fashion events connecting brands, buyers, media and fashionistas, CENTRESTAGE 2018 will feature a record number of over 220 brands from around the world, presenting about 40 events including more than 20 fashion shows and parades during the event period. A series of insightful seminars and panels such as the Master Sharing Series and Trend Talk Series will be hosted by fashion design masters and industry experts, with a focus on upcoming fashion trends and the importance of sustainability in the industry.

YDC: A Runway for Young Designers to Take off

In addition to CENTRESTAGE ELITES, The Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers’ Contest 2018 (YDC) will be another highlight of this year’s CENTRESTAGE. The judging panel will include Lawrence Leung, Chairman of the HKTDC Garment Advisory Committee and Michael Mok, General Manager of Merchandising/ Head of Merchandising at JOYCE Boutique Ltd, while internationally renowned fashion designer Martine Rose will be the VIP judge.

YDC has successfully nurtured and promoted a new generation of Hong Kong fashion design talent since 1977. This year, 16 shortlisted candidates will compete for five awards including the New Talent Award and Best Footwear Design Award. Arto Wong, last year’s Champion and New Talent Award winner, will release her capsule collection Zero to Unlimited at JOYCE this August and display it at CENTRESTAGE this September. The event will also feature the latest works by other YDC 2017 winners, including Sonic Lam, who has partnered with Woolmark to develop a new outfit made with wool, and Jason Lee, winner of last year’s Best Footwear Design Award, who will showcase his capsule collection I Go to School by Bus.

FASHIONALLY Shows: Launch Pads for Local Designers

Now in its 12th edition, FASHIONALLY Collection, a highlighted CENTRESTAGEshow dedicated to Hong Kong designers, will welcome 10 local designer brands, including contemporary classic menswear label DEMO and KEVIN HO, a modern womenswear label that participated in New York Fashion Week 2017. Furthermore, the FASHIONALLY Presentation show at CENTRESTAGE will feature three new local designer labels launching their SS19 collections. Unlike at conventional runway shows, the three labels – Redemptive, Tak Lee and YLY studio–will present their collection in a storytelling format on a theatre-style stage.

Hong Kong in Fashion

To spread the fashion buzz to the wider community, the Hong Kong in Fashion citywide campaign will be held from mid-August to the end of September in collaboration with over 100 partners, including fashion boutiques, fashion design institutes, restaurants and hotels. More than 90 events will be held across the city for public participation, including workshops, competitions, fashion parades and exhibitions.

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Asia’s Premier Fashion Event CENTRESTAGE

Represented by Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the international fashion trade show CENTRESTAGE will take place from 5-8 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Last year, the show was talk of the town attracting exceptional fashion brands, designers, buyers, media and fashion enthusiasts.

The HKTDC organises CENTRESTAGE with an aim to reinforce Hong Kong’s position as a vanguard for fashion. With Hong Kong’s role as a two-way investment and business hub for Asia, CENTRESTAGE is an ideal platform for fashion brands to tap into Chinese and global markets. Setting as a fashion promotion and launch platform in the region, the event will continue to turn the wheels of Asia’s fashion industry with over 220 sought-after international and fashion brands this year. Under the theme of “Tomorrow Lab”, exhibiting brands will be housed under three thematic zones: ICONIC, ALLURE and METRO, revealing upcoming season’s wardrobe must-haves. An array of spectacular events will be arranged, including some 20 captivating runway shows, designer sharing sessions, trend forecasting seminars, networking events during the show period.

 
Asia’s Premier Fashion Event CENTRESTAGE

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Exhibiting Hong Kong’s brands include 112 mountainyam, Angus Tsui, ANVEGLOSA, DEMO., DORISKATH, HARRISON WONG, House of V, LOOM LOOP, Maison Vermillion, YLYstudioand more. More fashion brands come from various countries and regions such as the Chinese mainland, France, India, Italy, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and so on. More participating brands at: http://www.centrestage.com.hk/en/brands/index.php

CENTRESTAGE ELITES Spotlights Asia’s Talented Designers

On 5 September, the glamorous opening gala show CENTRESTAGE ELITES will present SS19 collections from three celebrated designers in Asia, namely HiromichiOchiai of FACETASM (Japan), Cyrus Wong and Julio Ng of IDISM (Hong Kong) and Min Liu of Ms MIN (Chinese mainland).

HiromichiOchiai, designer for hot Japanese fashion label FACETASM, will present at Hong Kong’s runway. The name FACETASM comes from the word “facet”, implying that each piece has different sides or different meanings. The brand believes in discovering new perspectives and embracing new challenges while not sticking to the rules. Mr Ochiai was elected for the finalist at LVMH Prize in 2016 and finalist at ANDAM Prize in 2018.

Representing the cream of the crop of local design talent, Hong Kong-based Cyrus Wong and Julio Ng co-founded IDISM in 2016. With a hint of surprise juxtaposing the label’s elegantly minimal aesthetic, IDISM was created for the spontaneous lifestyle of the contemporary city woman. The label was selected as one of Vogue’s Talents in 2017, while also being named “The future of Asia” by China’s youthful media powerhouse, YOHO!, during the same year.

Representative from the Chinese mainland is Ms Min by Min Liu, who is one of the brightest stars in China’s flourishing fashion scene. The word “Ms” combines “Mrs” and “Miss”, a modern salutation representing an independent woman. “Simplicity with a twist, romanticism with an edge, modernity with classicism” are the brand’s DNA. Ms Liu was shortlisted for the prestigious LVMH Prize in 2016, and Ms MIN has become a highly sought-after label with top-tier retailers such as Lane Crawford, Opening Ceremony and Saks Fifth Avenue stocking its collections.

YDC2018 Uncovers Latest Hong Kong Fashion Talent

The Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers’ Contest 2018(YDC), which has been a cradle for local design talents, will be held on 8 September as the finale of CENTRESTAGE. Sixteen shortlisted designers will compete for the top three awards, as well as the New Talent Award and Best Footwear Design Award. International fashion designer Martine Rose will be the VIP judge. She will also offer insight into her creative journey at a sharing session.

Line-up of Exciting Events

Across the four-day schedule, multiple networking events and trend seminars will be organised, enabling global buyers to get a hold of the latest fashion trends. On 6-7 September, Fashion Summit will be held under the theme “Circular Economy”. It is the first large-scale summit in Asia on sustainability in fashion. A panel of leading academics, key players from fashion industry, NGOs, media, decision makers and leaders from across discipline and geographical boundaries will be invited to exchange insights.

During event period, experts from renowned global authorities including WGSN (5 Sept) and Euromonitor (6 Sept) will unveil the latest fashion trends.

In addition, the fashion environmental NGO Redress will stage Redress Design Award (6 Sept), which is the world’s largest sustainable fashion design competition, while the Knitwear Innovation and Design Society will organise the Knitwear Symphony 2018 and the 8th Hong Kong Young Knitwear Designers’ Contest (7 Sept).

Hong Kong in Fashion

To extend the fashion buzz to the wider community, the HKTDC will launch the Hong Kong in Fashion citywide campaign from 15 August to 30 September. More than 90 fashionable activities organised in collaboration with more than 100 partners, including high-end hotels, shopping malls, fashion boutiques, restaurants and design institutes, will be staged around town, spreading the glamour of CENTRESTAGE across the city.

On 8 September, CENTRESTAGE will become “OPENSTAGE” and welcome public visitors aged 12 and above free of charge. The event will allow members of the public the chance to experience this major international fashion event and to check out the latest designs from leading brands.

Website: http://centrestage.com.hk
Video: https://youtu.be/tKZ2iP2a1lE

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hktdc.com

With love,

FWO