Fashion at Heart
In its fourth successful year, Centrestage’19 in Hong Kong lived up to its repute of ‘Asia’s Fashion Spotlight’ with designers, brands and exhibitors from around the globe bringing the latest trends to the fore.
The premier fashion event of Asia, Centrestage was organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) from 4 to 7 September’19. The four-day extravaganza witnessed participation of 240 brands from 23 countries and regions around the world. The event attracted close to 7,000 buyers from 74 countries and regions. Those from Europe and Latin America recorded growth, reinforcing the show as an international promotional and launching platform for fashion brands. More than 20 fashion shows were organised during the show’s four-day run. The central theme of “Future Tribes” stressed upon the fact that designers’ efforts can make a fearless future by creating new identities through the use of culture, images and aesthetics.
To throw some light on the ethos of the event, Benjamin Chau, Deputy Executive Director at HKTDC, shares, “As a premium fashion event in Asia, Centrestage attracts many brands and buyers. It serves as a platform for industry players to exchange information and designers and brands to promote their products. A number of fashion shows were held during the fair period. Local designers and international brands showcased an incredible creative force, further raising Hong Kong’s status as Asia’s fashion hub.”
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Highlights
Day 1: The first day showcased a number of fashion presentations − including Fashionally Collection#14, the Fashion Hong Kong Runway Show, and three Fashionally Presentations were held to bring the spotlight on the latest collections of Hong Kong design labels, attracting the attendance of fashionistas, models and celebrities from around the globe. The curtain-opening Fashionally Collection #14 fashion show spotlighted emerging local talents and their brands, including Necro Poon, Lapeewee, Kevin Ho, Fromclothingof, DEMO, to name a few.
The highlight was the exclusive Centrestage Elites show that brought together renowned New York-based designer, Joseph Altuzarra and Hong Kong-based designer Anais Mak under the same roof for a spectacular event. The designers launched their Pre-Spring’20 Collections from their respective brands, Altuzarra and Anaïs Jourden. The gala drew an attendance of more than 1,000 industry insiders, celebrities and fashionistas including Priscilla Wong, Sharon Chan, Bowie Cheung, Jennifer Yu, Judy Kwong, Ashley Lam, Dickson Yu, Karl Ting and Veronica Shiu.
Centrestage Elites was followed by Fashion Hong Kong Runway Show, featuring the latest collections of Hong Kong designer labels that have participated in international fashion weeks, such as New York, London, Copenhagen and Tokyo. These local brands included 112mountainyam, Doriskath, From Another Planets, Harrison Wong, to name a few. This show is part of the HKTDC’s Fashion Hong Kong campaign, which aims to promote Hong Kong fashion designers and labels in the global fashion arena.
Day 2: The second day kicked off with trend talk in the Meet the Visionaries Series on “When East Meets West” where the young creative forces of fashion reinventing the international runway, Joseph and Anais talked about their journey, latest trends and inspiration in an interactive session. There were fashion shows by brands and designers. The event of the evening was The Redress Design Award 2019 Grand Final Fashion Show. With the focus on sustainable fashion, team Redress shortlisted 10 finalists across the globe who showcased their designs. Designer Maddie Williams from the UK won the contest with eclectic designs made out of up-cycled and dead stock fabric. While other designers including Abby Gaskin from Canada, Julia English from Australia, Moriah Adrila and Natalie Tzur from Israel, Chan Meiyan and Keith Chan from Hong Kong, Carina Roca Portella from Spain, Damini Mittal from India and Anna Schubert of Germany roped in innovative techniques like up-cycling uniforms of flight attendants, saris, stained dead fabric, and more to create fashion that cares.
Day 3: Fashion shows, trend talks on topics including, crossover fashion trend re-shaping brand value, how data influences design, and more, were the top draws of the third day. The 9th Hong Kong Young Knitwear Designers’ Contest deserves special mention as it was a spectacular platform for young talents to showcase their designs and get recognised.
Day 4: On the fourth and the final day, Centrestage opened its doors to public. Attendees had free access to a series of interactive events including, a makeup demonstration by NARS, an interactive session on fashion by television personality and fashion icon Rikko Lee, and designers from local brands Methodology and Meiking NG, and more. Visitors also had the chance to check out the latest designs from leading local and overseas brands, with retail sales offered by selected brands.
The highlight of the final day was the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers’ Contest 2019 (YDC) where three promising local designers were awarded out of a pool of 16. Winner Wilson Yip received a monetary reward together with a one-month internship working in the studio of respected Japanese fashion designer Mihara Yasuhiro, sponsored by Sun Hing Knitting Factory Limited.
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