Hong Kong Fashion Fest Launches with CENTRESTAGE and "Future Threads: Menswear's New Waves Between Italy and Hong Kong", Showcasing Cutting-Edge Fashion

Third edition of Hong Kong Fashion Fest presents CENTRESTAGE and "Future Threads: Menswear's New Waves Between Italy and Hong Kong"

The third edition of Hong Kong Fashion Fest today (September 2) unveiled two flagship programmes, CENTRESTAGE and "Future Threads: Menswear's New Waves Between Italy and Hong Kong", showcasing the latest achievements in global fashion convergence and cross-cultural design exchanges, further highlighting Hong Kong's position as an East-meets-West centre for international arts and cultural exchanges and an international fashion trading hub.

Presented by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and spearheaded and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, this edition of Hong Kong Fashion Fest, for the first time, combines with CENTRESTAGE, the international fashion showcase and trade platform organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, with a view to generating stronger synergies. Meanwhile, Hong Kong Fashion Fest also continues its collaboration with Milan Fashion Week organiser Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (CNMI) in "Future Threads".

As Asia's annual fashion extravaganza, CENTRESTAGE marks its 11th edition this year. The four-day event opens today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, officiating at the opening fashion show, CENTRESTAGE ELITES featuring the first solo show of Hong Kong multidisciplinary designer and visual artist Kit Wan, joined members of the Hong Kong fashion industry in witnessing the local designer take to both the local and international stage. The opening show presented over 30 new looks by Wan's studio, and reflected the city's vibrant cross-disciplinary fashion scene.

Another flagship programme, "Future Thread", organised by the Hong Kong Design Centre in partnership with CNMI, brings together creations by 10 emerging menswear designers from Italy and Hong Kong. The Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, attended the opening ceremony today. The exhibition runs from September 3 to 13 at Fashion Walk in Causeway Bay. Curated by CNMI's International New Talent and Brands Ambassador, Ms Sara Sozzani Maino, the exhibition offers an exclusive preview of Spring/Summer 2027 menswear collections and explores how a new generation of designers from two geographies is reshaping contemporary menswear, presenting a distinguished intercultural menswear event.

The third edition of Hong Kong Fashion Fest will feature a series of events at various landmarks across Hong Kong over the next two weeks. For details of the two flagship programmes, please refer to the official social media channels (www.instagram.com/centrestage_hktdc/ and www.instagram.com/hkdesigncentre/). For more information on the Hong Kong Fashion Fest, please visit the official website www.hongkongfashionfest.com and follow the official social media channels.

The third edition of Hong Kong Fashion Fest today (September 2) presents the flagship programme in collaboration with Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, "Future Threads: Menswear's New Waves Between Italy and Hong Kong". Photo shows the exhibition area of "Future Threads: Menswear's New Waves Between Italy and Hong Kong". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The third edition of Hong Kong Fashion Fest today (September 2) presents the flagship programme in collaboration with Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (CNMI), "Future Threads: Menswear's New Waves Between Italy and Hong Kong". Photo shows the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau (fourth right); the Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai (third left); the International New Talent and Brands Ambassador of CNMI, Ms Sara Sozzani Maino (second right); the Chairman of the Hong Kong Design Centre, Mr Steve Leung (third right) and other guests officiating at the opening ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The third edition of Hong Kong Fashion Fest today (September 2) presents the flagship programme in collaboration with Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, "Future Threads: Menswear's New Waves Between Italy and Hong Kong". Photo shows the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau (centre), viewing fashion works. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The third edition of Hong Kong Fashion Fest today (September 2) presents CENTRESTAGE, an international fashion showcase and trade platform. Photo shows the exhibition area of CENTRESTAGE. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The third edition of Hong Kong Fashion Fest today (September 2) presents CENTRESTAGE, an international fashion showcase and trade platform. Photo shows the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law (sixth left); the Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Professor Frederick Ma (sixth right); Hong Kong multidisciplinary designer and visual artist Kit Wan (fifth left); council member of the HKTDC Dr Peter Lam (third left); Member of the Legistlative Council (Textiles and Garment Functional Constituency) Mr Sunny Tan (fourth right); the Executive Director of the HKTDC, Ms Sophia Chong (fourth left), and other guests. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The third edition of Hong Kong Fashion Fest today (September 2) presents CENTRESTAGE, an international fashion showcase and trade platform. Photo shows the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law (front row, fourth right), viewing fashion works during the opening fashion show, CENTRESTAGE ELITES. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The third edition of Hong Kong Fashion Fest today (September 2) presents CENTRESTAGE, an international fashion showcase and trade platform. Photo shows the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law (third right), officiating at the opening fashion show, CENTRESTAGE ELITES. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Grocery store shopkeeper convicted and jailed for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes

A grocery store shopkeeper was sentenced to eight weeks' imprisonment by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts yesterday (September 2) for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) (Cap. 109).

During a Customs' anti-illicit cigarette operation on San Shing Avenue in Sheung Shui on January 30, 2026, a grocery store was found to offer cigarettes for sale at a price less than the statutory duty imposed thereon. Customs officers thus took prompt enforcement actions to arrest a 62-year-old female shopkeeper, and seized a total of 8 560 illicit cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $39,000 and a duty potential of about $28,000.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.

After the amended DCO took effect on September 19, 2025, cigarettes sold or offered for sale at a price lower than the tobacco duty must be proven to be duty-paid, otherwise the cigarettes are presumed to be duty-not-paid. Customs also keeps a close eye on the market, patrols frequently and takes prompt enforcement actions.

Customs reminds cigarette retailers not to sell cigarettes of unknown source and stay alert to cigarettes supplied at a price less than the statutory duty. Under the DCO, if a cigarette is offered for sale or supply at a consideration the value of which is less than the rate of duty imposed on the cigarette, the cigarette is dutiable goods. In addition, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying duty-not-paid cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080, its dedicated crime-reporting email account(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Grocery store shopkeeper convicted and jailed for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases