The Hong Kong CENTRESTAGE showcase of high-calibre local and overseas fashion talents, and exciting, engaging events was held during the show period. CENTRESTAGE virtual runway 2020 shows premiere from September 17 to 19. Combining traditional fashion shows with computer-generated imagery, these unique runway shows feature the latest collections from more than 40 Hong Kong and Asian designers.
Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), CENTRESTAGE is Asia’s premier fashion event, offering a promotion platform for fashion brands and designers to showcase their talent. Events such fashion shows, designer sharing sessions, open talks, trend analyses and networking opportunities, with the objective of connecting local brands with the global fashion industry.
Hong Kong in Fashion gives people throughout the city the chance to experience the power of fashion and the creative spark that underpins it, bringing life and colour to Hong Kong and further enhancing the city’s status as Asia’s fashion capital.
Entering its fifth year, CENTRESTAGE presents “A World of PHYGITAL” as its central theme in 2020. In view of the uncertainties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, CENTRESTAGE has set out to redefine the way fashion shows are presented by combining physical and digital elements. It has created a fashion extravaganza that enables brands to overcome geographical and time limitations to showcase their latest designs to buyers and fashionistas.
Despite the disruptions brought by the pandemic, the fashion industry is still forging ahead. In response to the current situation, CENTRESTAGE has successfully transformed into a digital fashion platform with a series of virtual runway shows, showcasing the latest collections from Hong Kong and Asian brands to fashion lovers and media from around the world. Designers overcoming challenges by coming up with creative responses to the ‘new normal’, launching their collections on the HKTDC’s online platform to gain exposure and expand their networks.
The creativity and imagination of designers and fashion brands have not been held back by the pandemic. The premiere of the Fashion Hong Kong show marks the start of six spectacular virtual runway shows. Fashion Hong Kong spotlights eight homegrown design units that have all taken part in New York or London Fashion Week events, including Mountain Yam (brand: 112 mountainyam), Angus Tsui (brand: ANGUS TSUI), Bettie Jiang (brand: Bettie Haute Couture), design duo Jessica Lau and Walter Kong (brand: BLIND by JW), Doris Kath Chan (brand: DorisKath), Glori Tsui (brand: METHODOLOGY), Sun Lam (brand: SUN=SEN) and Yeung Chin (brand: YEUNG CHIN).
The opening show has a “Space Odyssey” theme, fusing various new designs with different virtual planets and eye-catching visual effects to take the audience on a creative journey. The audience can enjoy shopping discounts offered by the brands and also get the chance to win limited-edition items by joining an online giveaway campaign. The deadline for the giveaway is 11:59 pm today (17 September). More details can be found on the Fashion Hong Kong official Instagram account.
Following on from Fashion Hong Kong was the “Next in Cheongsam” runway show featuring the latest collections from two designer brands: SPARKLE by Karen Chan – Modern Cheongsam and THE SPARKLE COLLECTION – Modern Couture. The former has invited Fung Yau-choi, a master of cheongsam sewing, which is listed as one of Hong Kong’s items of intangible cultural heritage, to craft an original silk collection. The latter brand focuses on gown designs in an East-meets-West style. The show has also taken Neon Hong Kong as its stage design inspiration to illustrate the aesthetic and mood of old Hong Kong.
Bettie Haute Couture
London College of Fashion graduate Bettie Jiang designed for the British label Alexander McQueen before taking on her namesake brand, with the hope that everyone can get to know the characters of the designer simply by the brand name. She combines her experience in bespoke British tailoring and attention to artisanship with patchwork prints and a focus on sustainability.
Blind by JW
The designer duo Walter Kong and Jessica Lau co-founded the womenswear brand BLIND by JW in 2012. With Jessica as a graduate from Central Saint Martins (UAL) and Walter as a graduate from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, their apparel and handbags also manifest their “East-meets-West” character.
CHERNG
Founded by the Chinese Taiwan designer Cherng-Hann Lee, CHERNG illustrates their East-meets-West philosophy with techniques such as patchwork, deconstruction, digital prints and unisex tailoring and by finding inspiration in life.
JUNW Natural
Established in 2019 by Jun Wong, JUNW Natural is a brand under MsEnvy Corporation that specialises in crafting garments with silk and all- natural fibres.
KEVIN HO
After graduating from London College of Fashion, Hong Kong designer Kevin Ho launched his eponymous label in 2015 with a focus on innovative silhouettes, power and elegance to create unique vibes for the modern women.
Methodology
A graduate from the prestigious Art Center College of Design in California, and with a master’s degree in Fashion Design from Nottingham Trent University, Hong Kong designer Glori Tsui founded the apparel and accessories brand Methodology in 2012. Encouraging customers to mix and match freely with accessories made from upcycled leather, the brand strives to promote sustainable fashion.
SFZ & SON
As the first runner-up in the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers’ Contest (YDC) 2017, the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) graduate Sonic Lam went on to launch his brand SFZ&SON in 2018, focusing primarily on workwear. His work exudes boldness with a distinctive style.
SPARKLE by Karen Chan – Modern Cheongsam
Apart from being the successor of the homeware company German Pool, Karen Chan, as a designer, launched a cheongsam collection through which she aims to preserve this intangible cultural heritage by adding a western twist.
SUN=SEN
The fashion and lifestyle brand SUN=SEN was founded by the designer Sun Lam in 2016 with a focus on slow fashion that brings joy.
YSANNE
With more than 30 years of experience in the fashion industry, Wang Mei-chu the designer has established her own label by stepping out from behind-the-scenes into the spotlight. Ysanne focuses on utilising high quality and natural materials, positioning itself as a sustainable fashion brand.
Other not-to-be-missed runway shows include “FASHIONALLY Collection #15” and two Designers’ Collections Shows, “Taipei in Style” and “Hong Kong en Vogue”, which premiered online on 18 and 19 September respectively.
In addition to the virtual runway shows, the HKTDC has collaborated with Vogue Hong Kong to build a brand-new digital platform that introduces designers and their brands and collections. The CENTRESTAGE website has aggregated 240 brands from 23 countries and regions, including 130 new joiners such as Korean streetwear brand FlenoSeoul (under Gyeonggi Creative Fashion Studio Korea) and Chinese Taiwan canvas craft brand Guang Fu Hao.
Another CENTRESTAGE highlight was the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers’ Contest (YDC) 2020 Final on 19 September. Fourteen shortlisted candidates compete for five awards this year, including a new category – the My Favourite Collection award. Members of the public can vote for their favourite collection among the YDC finalists to win a HK$2,000 e-Gift Coupon sponsored by Hysan Place.
The Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers’ Contest (YDC) see up-and-coming fashion talents shortlisted to compete for grand prizes as well as prestigious internships, study trips and mentorships with top brands. The designers’ creations was assessed by a panel of respected industry professionals, with internationally renowned fashion designer acting as VIP judge. As the finale of the annual CENTRESTAGE fashion showcase. Past YDC designers will make an appearance at the YDC contest, showcasing new and exclusive collections created in partnership.
This year’s Hong Kong in Fashion features a variety of themed events, running until 30 September, the “CENTRESTAGE in Town” citywide campaign features fashion-related promotions partnering with fashion malls, restaurants, hotels and fashion-focused cultural landmarks in the city and featuring fashion showcases, workshop and shopping and dining offers. Members of the public are encouraged to join in to celebrate this iconic fashion event.
HKTDC
Established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body dedicated to creating opportunities for Hong Kong’s businesses. With more than 40 offices globally, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China, Asia and the world. With 50 years of experience, the HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in international markets, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels including the media room.