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

Speech by SCED at the Festival of Connoisseurs Press Conference

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, at the Festival of Connoisseurs (TFOC) Press Conference today (September 3):

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, Photo source: reference image

Mr Simm (Chief Financial Officer of Informa Markets, Mr Alex Simm), Margaret (President and Chief Executive Officer of Informa Markets Asia, Ms Margaret Ma Connolly), Vivian (Chairman of AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) Management Limited and Chief Executive Officer of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Mrs Vivian Cheung), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. It is a great pleasure to join you today at this press event to announce the staging of the Festival of Connoisseurs in Hong Kong. I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to Informa Markets on bringing this exciting and visionary initiative to Hong Kong.

TFOC marks a significant milestone for Hong Kong's convention and exhibition industry. You will notice that the event today has been chosen to be held at this very special venue. Its inaugural edition this November will bring together some of the world's most prestigious brands and experiences, spanning superyachts, supercars, fine jewellery and watches, private aviation, fine art and other exquisite lifestyle offerings, all meticulously curated to deliver an unparalleled experiential journey for every visitor. I would also like to warmly welcome Informa Markets' senior management team, who have travelled specially to Hong Kong for today's important announcement. They will tell you more about TFOC later.

TFOC stands out for its innovative "city-as-your-showroom" concept, offering a new approach to exhibitions. TFOC will unfold across multiple iconic locations in Hong Kong, transforming our landmarks into immersive backdrops for luxury and lifestyle. This citywide format showcases not only exceptional products and experiences, but also Hong Kong's unique strengths as a global city, with world-class convention and exhibition infrastructure, a spectacular harbour, a vibrant cultural scene and diverse tourism offerings.

Informa Markets' decision to choose Hong Kong as the host city for this pioneering event is a strong vote of confidence in our city. It underscores Hong Kong's competitiveness as an international business hub and reinforces our position as a premier convention and exhibition destination in Asia.

Hong Kong, Photo source: reference image

As a global city and a two-way platform connecting the Chinese Mainland with the world, Hong Kong is well placed to bring together leading brands, businesses, investors and consumers from different markets. Events such as TFOC can help further strengthen these connections, while showcasing Hong Kong's unique advantages and our vibrant and cosmopolitan lifestyle to international visitors.

Over the past years, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has provided $3.1 billion to support the development of local and international exhibitions in Hong Kong. This has helped bring a wave of new and world-renowned exhibitions to our city, and has also invigorated hotels, restaurants, retail, transportation, logistics, professional services and many other sectors.

To sustain this momentum and take our convention and exhibition industry to new heights, the Financial Secretary has announced in this year's Budget that a funding of $100 million will be allocated to my bureau, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB), to attract large-scale international exhibitions featuring new and distinctive elements to Hong Kong. This initiative aims to bring high-quality international exhibition events to Hong Kong, and strengthen our role as a preferred platform for showcasing brands from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and overseas. These mega exhibition events will also attract high-spending business travellers and generate high-value economic impact to Hong Kong.

We are delighted that TFOC is the first major exhibition event to receive support under this $100 million funding initiative. My bureau, the CEDB, in close partnership with AWE, has been working closely with Informa Markets to bring TFOC to Hong Kong. Through our joint efforts, we have turned this exciting concept into reality.

Indeed, it has taken AWE and Informa Markets less than a year to put together the plan for TFOC, with its first edition set to be launched this November. The HKSAR Government means business, and our support underscores the potential of mega exhibition events like TFOC and their alignment with Hong Kong's broader economic development priorities.

I hope TFOC will pave the way for more major exhibitions to come to Hong Kong under the $100 million funding initiative. We also welcome more large-scale international exhibitions with diverse and innovative elements.

My best wishes go to TFOC for a successful launch this November. I very much look forward to welcoming connoisseurs from around the world to Hong Kong, where they can experience not only the finest products, but also the unique energy, diversity and charm of our city. Thank you.

Hong Kong, Photo source: reference image