Supporting Enterprises to Go Global, Strengthening Talent Nurturing, Promoting Design Mega Events, and Reinforcing Hong Kong's Positioning as an East-meets-West Centre for International Cultural Exchange
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 17 September 2026 – Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) welcomes the initiatives outlined in The First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026–2030) (The First Five-Year Plan) and the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address, in particular to strengthen support for local design enterprises to go global, nurture design talent, promote design mega events in Hong Kong, and further reinforce Hong Kong's pivotal role as an 'East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange'.
Mr Steve Leung, Chairman of Hong Kong Design Centre, stated, 'The current-term Government has achieved encouraging results in promoting the development of the design industry. One notable example is the Hong Kong Fashion Fest, an annual mega event launched in response to the Chief Executive's 2023 Policy Address, which has gained increasing recognition from both the industry and the public, positioning Hong Kong as Asia's leading fashion design hub. The First Five-Year Plan further enumerates a blueprint and vision for the city's overall development. The 2026 Policy Address also aligns with and supports the objectives of The First Five-Year Plan by outlining concrete measures to drive development.'
Mr Steve Leung continued, 'In response to the recommendations set out in the 2024 Policy Address, Hong Kong Design Centre has completed the restructuring of its organisation and functions, and has been progressively implementing a new development roadmap and direction. The Centre will fully align with The First Five-Year Plan and the Government's initiatives, while actively integrating into and serving the overall national development. Through our various flagship programmes, we will continue to focus on helping design enterprises enhance their products and brand design capabilities and services, strengthening collaboration and interface between start-ups and Chinese Mainland enterprises, and driving Hong Kong's design industry to go global for more business opportunities.'
To align with the Government's efforts in implementing the 'Bringing in and Going Global' strategy, and to leverage its role as a platform for overseas expansion, HKDC launched its Outreach Programme last year, leading Hong Kong's emerging designers to participate for the first time in Shanghai Fashion Week and the 'Think Business, Think Hong Kong' programme in Milan. This year, the programme will continue across Chinese Mainland and overseas cities, assisting Hong Kong's design and creative talents to explore new markets, while leveraging Hong Kong's role as a 'super connector' and 'super value-adder' in driving global design industry exchange.
Regarding nurturing of talents, HKDC continues to refine its incubation function. A new design incubation programme will be launched this year, assisting potential design enterprises in achieving high-quality development. The programme aims to incubate design start-ups established for one to three years, and provides in-depth support to enterprises established for three to 15 years. Together, these help design businesses across different disciplines and stages of development build a solid business foundation, drive brand upgrading and market expansion, thereby achieving sustainable growth and generating fresh momentum for Hong Kong's creative economy.
In recent years, the Government has been vigorously promoting the hosting of world-class design mega events in Hong Kong. HKDC is honoured to expand its annual flagship event, Business of Design Week (BODW) in 2026/27, and re-brand BODW in the City as DESIGN@HKG. From November onwards, HKDC will collaborate with venue partners, international and local brands, and designers, to present a wider range of design programmes across different districts in Hong Kong. Through interactive experiences, the initiative will infuse local design culture and creative elements into every corner of the city, encouraging participation from corporate brands, tourists, and the general public. At the same time, leveraging BODW Summit to gather global creative leaders and entrepreneurs to Hong Kong for exchange, while connecting design-themed activities across the city, creates synergy and fosters greater creative atmosphere. The DX design hub in Sham Shui Po will continue to curate a diverse range of thematic design exhibitions, fashion retail and immersive design experiences, energising community creativity, fostering cross-sectoral exchange and commercial collaboration, and promoting the local economy and cultural tourism.
In support of the Government's drive to reinforce Hong Kong's position as Asia's leading hub for fashion design and retail through the continued staging of the annual mega event, Hong Kong Fashion Fest, HKDC is delighted to have partnered for the first time with Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (CNMI), the organiser of Milan Fashion Week. Together, HKDC and CNMI co-curated the 'Future Threads: Menswear's New Waves Between Italy and Hong Kong' Exhibition, one of the flagship programmes of this year's Hong Kong Fashion Fest. Meanwhile, HKDC's fashion initiative, Fashion Asia Hong Kong, presented its two highlight events 'Fashion Challenges Forum' and '10 Asian Designers to Watch' Exhibition', bringing Asia's avant-garde design to the international stage.
As a strategic partner of the HKSAR Government, HKDC is committed to promoting design and creative culture, with a view to reinforcing Hong Kong's position as an international design hub. HKDC will continue to fully support the Government's policy initiatives to foster the development of the cultural and creative industries in Hong Kong. Working hand in hand with the industry, we strive to thoroughly implement Hong Kong's positioning as the 'East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange' under the National 15th Five-Year Plan.
Hashtag: #HKDC
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About Hong Kong Design Centre
Hong Kong Design Centre is a strategic partner of the HKSAR Government in leveraging the city's East-meets-West advantage to create value from design.
The major programmes include Business of Design Week (BODW), bodw Future Lab, DFA Awards, Fashion Asia Hong Kong and DESIGN@HKG (formerly BODW In the City). Since 2024, we have also been operating the DX design hub in Sham Shui Po, dedicated to fostering emerging design talents and facilitating collaborations and exchanges in the design industry, as well as providing visitors an immersive experience through innovative exhibitions, fashion showcases and cultural events.
To achieve our goals we:
- Cultivate a culture of design
- Bridge stakeholders to opportunities that unleash the power of design
- Promote excellence in various design disciplines
About Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), formerly known as Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) since 2009, was established in June 2024. CCIDA is a dedicated office under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR Government) to provide one-stop services and support to the cultural and creative sectors with a mission to foster a conducive environment in Hong Kong to facilitate development of the arts, culture and creative sectors as industries. CCIDA's strategic foci are nurturing talent and facilitating start-ups, exploring markets, promoting cross-sectoral and multi-disciplinary collaboration, promoting industrialisation of the arts, culture and creative sectors under the industry-oriented principle, and fostering a creative atmosphere in the community, thereby reinforcing Hong Kong as Asia's creative capital and our positioning as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
Disclaimer: The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to some of HKDC's activities/projects only, and does not otherwise take part in such funded activities/projects. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication and relevant materials/events (or by members of the project teams) are those of HKDC only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.
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“Bangkok International Fashion Week 2026” Reinforcing Leadership in Driving Thai Fashion onto the Global Stage
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 September 2026 – The fashion scene is set to ignite once again as Siam Paragon, Siam Center, and Siam Discovery join forces to present Thailand's most influential fashion week, "Bangkok International Fashion Week 2026" (BIFW2026), on a grand scale. The event will showcase Thailand's creative potential through 10 powerful runway shows by 10 leading Thai designers and fashion brands, while providing a platform for a new generation of young Designers to showcase their talent. Fashion lovers are also invited to discover new brands and emerging fashion trends from around the world, further reinforcing Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Siam Discovery as premier destinations for fashion and creativity in Asia. BIFW2026 will take place from 1–11 October 2026 at Siam Paragon, Siam Center, and Siam Discovery.
Siam Paragon, Siam Center, And Siam Discovery Unite Thailand’s Creative Power to Create the Year’s Most Spectacular Runway Phenomenon
This year marks the 19th edition of Bangkok International Fashion Week (BIFW2026), recognized as Thailand's leading fashion week and one of Asia's foremost fashion events. Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Siam Discovery join forces with leading public- and private-sector partners, including the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Kasikornbank Public Company Limited, Merz Aesthetics Thailand Co., Ltd., Madame Fin Co., Ltd., XPENG Thailand, Millennium Auto Group, Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, THANN, KIKI Beauty Space, Grey Goose, and M.A.C Cosmetics, to powerfully advance the Thai fashion industry onto the international stage.
Thanaporn Tantiyanon, Managing Director of Siam Paragon Shopping Center, said: "For more than 19 years, Siam Paragon Bangkok International Fashion Week has been recognized as one of the region's leading fashion weeks and an important platform for driving culture and shaping the direction of future fashion. This year, we continue to reinforce this position through BIFW2026, which goes beyond being a runway for presenting the latest collections. It serves as a hub of inspiration, an exchange of creative perspectives, and a platform for driving contemporary culture under the concept 'TH-nomenal Extraordinary – Lead the Culture, Wear the Future.', ready to showcase the potential and excellence of Thai fashion to an international audience. Each show goes beyond simply presenting fashion collections; it conveys the designers' visions, identities, and cultural power through contemporary design, while creating a fashion experience that goes beyond the conventional runway format. "This year, Siam Paragon continues to position BIFW2026 as an important platform for reflecting the potential and creativity of the Thai fashion industry to a global audience. It reinforces Siam Paragon's role as a World Class Fashion Destination, ready to elevate Bangkok as one of Asia's key fashion destinations while driving the Thai fashion industry forward with strength and sustainability."
Ekawit Chaiwaranurak, Assistant Managing Director, Head of Siam Center and Siam Discovery Business Unit, added: "At Siam Center, we are continuing our collaboration with Epson Thailand for the third consecutive year to support learning and the production process. We firmly believe that the creativity emerging today can grow into an important driving force for the Thai fashion industry of tomorrow. 'Visionary Stage' is therefore more than a fashion platform. It is a space of opportunity where young designers from across the country can experiment, express their identities, and reinterpret the unique identities of their respective regions through contemporary design. Under the concept 'NEXT TH-PHENOMENON,' we want to see the next wave of Thai fashion talent given the space to showcase their potential and confidently take their work onto the global stage.
"At Siam Discovery, we see fashion as an experience of discovery—not simply about following trends, but about creating a space where everyone can experiment, seek inspiration, and define their own style. Through SIAM DISCOVERY FASHION REVOLUTIONARY 2026, we present fashion from diverse perspectives, ranging from global brands and new collections to emerging Asian brands to watch, making Siam Discovery a destination where everyone can discover something new and enjoy fashion in their own way."
"Bangkok International Fashion Week 2026" (BIFW2026) presents a series of highlights designed to unveil the potential of Thai fashion as a global creative powerhouse across three key dimensions:
SIAM PARAGON: THE GLOBAL LANDMARK
Siam Paragon will transform into an iconic grand runway, showcasing the potential and excellence of Thai fashion through 10 powerful shows by 10 leading Thai designers and brands: 27 FRIDAY, 37°c Thirty-seven degrees Celsius, CHATO, FLYNOW, ISSUE, MERGE, NAGARA, PAINKILLER Atelier, POEM, and VVON SUGUNNASIL, taking place from 8-11 October 2026 at Parc Paragon, Siam Paragon.
Bringing together distinctive and diverse perspectives on fashion, the shows will be presented under the concept "TH-nomenal Extraordinary – Lead the Culture, Wear the Future." The collections will express the creative power of Thai fashion through visions that reflect cultural identities and perspectives on the future, demonstrating the ability of Thai designers to create distinctive work capable of making an impact on the international fashion scene.
The 10 grand runway shows will go beyond presenting each brand's latest collections. They will provide a platform for designers to express their identities and visions through contemporary design, creating an experience that transcends traditional fashion show format while reflecting the power of fashion. Simultaneously, BIFW2026 reinforces Siam Paragon's role as a Global Landmark, ready to elevate Bangkok as one of Asia's key fashion destinations.
SIAM CENTER: VISIONARY STAGE – THE NEXT TH-PHENOMENON
Meanwhile, Siam Center, The Ideaopolis, the city of trend-forward ideas, continues to support the creative power of the new generation through "Bangkok International Fashion Week 2026 – Visionary Stage at Siam Center," taking place from 1-4 October 2026 at Atrium 2, G Floors, Siam Center
The platform provides young designers with an opportunity to showcase their potential through fashion and design that reflects creativity, identity, and stories from diverse regions across Thailand under the concept "NEXT TH-PHENOMENON"—the next wave of creative Thai power transformed into world-class fashion design.
This year, the initiative brings together talent from 13 universities and institutions across Thailand, including Bangkok University, Khon Kaen University, Chulalongkorn University, Chanapatana International Design Institute, Chiang Mai University, Thammasat University, Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon, Mahasarakham University, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Udon Thani Rajabhat University, Srinakharinwirot University, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya Songkhla, and Prince of Songkla University, together with three Thai designer brands: Keira Selbe, Sleeping Cloud, and Tao Thong Dam x Mohhomphrae / Heritage / Kanhom. Together, they reinterpret Thai fashion through a new-generation perspective, connecting local wisdom, culture, and ways of life from different regions with contemporary design.
SIAM DISCOVERY: SIAM DISCOVERY FASHION REVOLUTIONARY 2026
Another exciting dimension comes from Siam Discovery, The Exploratorium – The Biggest Arena of Lifestyle Experiments, which presents fashion through the lens of discovery and lifestyle experimentation with "SIAM DISCOVERY FASHION REVOLUTIONARY 2026," taking place on 6 October 2026 at G Floor, Siam Discovery.
Siam Discovery will be transformed into a runway of discovery, showcasing standout seasonal collections, powerful silhouettes, and trends shaping contemporary fashion through distinctive and unexpected styling.
A key highlight is Discovery Selection, a curated space featuring distinctive, trendsetting fashion and lifestyle brands from around the world, inviting visitors to discover something new. Highlights include the latest collection from DAMSON MADDER, which offers a fresh interpretation of the British countryside, and ADERERROR, presenting its "TIME AFTER TIME" concept inspired by pottery and ceramics, expressed through distinctive silhouettes and unique item pairings that create intriguing proportions. Other brands include OPEN YY, AJOBYAJO, and ANDERSSON BELL, among others.
Siam Discovery also reinforces its role in introducing Thai fashionistas to new brands through a curated selection of Vietnamese fashion brands brought to Bangkok by House Of Aren, adding further diversity to the fashion landscape. The selection brings together Vietnamese brands that express identity through fashion, confidence, and creativity, empower women's energy to shine limitlessly, including BONJOUR and FIG&TONKA, each offering distinctive concepts and perspectives on fashion.
Get ready for the fashion phenomenon of the year, "Bangkok International Fashion Week 2026," taking place this October:
- Visionary Stage at Siam Center: 1–4 October 2026
- SIAM DISCOVERY FASHION REVOLUTIONARY 2026: 6 October 2026
- Siam Paragon Bangkok International Fashion Week 2026: 8–11 October 2026 at Parc Paragon, Siam Paragon
For more information, visit www.siamparagon.co.th or the Siam Paragon Facebook page.
#BIFW2026 #SiamParagonBIFW2026 #SiamCenterBIFW2026 #SiamDiscoveryBIFW2026
#SiamParagon #SiamCenter #SiamDiscovery
Hashtag: #BIFW2026 #SiamParagon #SiamCenter
https://www.siamparagon.co.th
https://www.facebook.com/SiamParagon
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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