Media Invitation

REMINDER

(Changes are highlighted in yellow)

To assignment editor:

DesignInspire opens tomorrow
VIPs and media get first look at Maison&Objet Intérieurs Hong Kong, BOTTEGA HONG KONG and TINY STUDIO

2 December 2025 – Sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and co-organised by the Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC), this year’s DesignInspire runs from 3 to 6 December at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The event kicks off with an exclusive VIP preview on the opening day, followed by free admission over the next three days for industry professionals and the public.

To give members of the media an early look at the key highlights of this year’s fair, a press preview will be held tomorrow (Wednesday, 3 December). Media representatives will be the first to experience two cross-cultural showcases, BOTTEGA HONG KONG and TINY STUDIO, curated by internationally acclaimed designer Alan Chan and emerging artist Chilai Howard respectively.

Maison&Objet scales up to build a world-class creative platform

Design authority Maison&Objet* from Paris makes a much-anticipated return to Hong Kong, with an upgraded presence under the new brand Maison&Objet Intérieurs Hong Kong 2025*. Almost doubling in size compared to 2024, the showcase will bring together more than 200 brands, artisans and artists, creating a world-class platform for cross-cultural dialogue in the global design community. Centered on the theme “Crossroads”, the three core sections deliver essential design elements: “Design Factory” brings Inspiration, “Design Showcase” leads visitors into a path of Discovery, while Encounters will happen inside “Le Club”, a business lounge dedicated for design players.

An immersive pavilion, Design Factory will focus on sustainability, material innovation and cultural storytelling, offering visionary design solutions for the contemporary world and featuring four distinctive curatorial projects by forward-thinking creative teams, such as Belgian designer Lionel Jadot and Thai artist Korakot Aromdee, who is skilled at using natural materials such as bamboo, rattan and vines. Design Showcase will extend Maison&Objet’s creative footprint to seven design capitals and present diverse expressions of design excellence that address the evolving needs of multifunctional living, workspace and hospitality environments. Featured creators include renowned French designer and sculptor Hubert Le Gall; renowned Hong Kong architect and interior designer Steve Leung; and Paul Bonlarron, recipient of the Maison&Objet Design Showcase Award 2025, co-presented by France’s Mobilier National and Maison&Objet.

Design masters present selections blending Hong Kong and Italian styles

Curated by renowned design master Alan Chan, UNVEIL LIMTED and the Su Chang Design Research Office, BOTTEGA HONG KONG merges Italian alimentari (boutique grocery stores) with Hong Kong’s local “si dor” corner shop culture, transforming the space into an art-driven lifestyle concept store. The pavilion brings together 16 brands and designers from Hong Kong and Italy, including Hong Kong creative icon anothermountainman, LOEWE Craft Prize finalist Didi Ng, and leading Italian design brands Moroso and Minotti by Andante. The showcase will also present a special crossover collaboration between century-old Italian umbrella maker Francesco Maglia and long-established Hong Kong umbrella brand Leung So Kee, highlighting the beauty of the craftsmanship and cultural convergence between the two places.

Curated by award-winning emerging artist Chilai Howard, TINY STUDIO reimagines Hong Kong’s traditional street stalls to create 12 standalone pavilions that blend art, design and technology. Visitors will be able to explore immersive installations featuring sculpture, digital media, scent design and live music performances, offering a vibrant interpretation of creative encounters between Hong Kong and Italian cultures. Highlights include a collaborative sculpture by Hong Kong artist Danny Lee and Italian sculptor Francesca Bernardini; an audiovisual piece co-created by acclaimed music producer Edward Chan and Kelly Cheuk and Kwokin from the music video and visual production studio (Re); and a showcase of selected works by illustrator Pen So.

Local design strength meets global vision

This year’s DesignInspire will feature more than 260 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions, presenting a broad spectrum of innovative design across different disciplines. The Hong Kong Design Centre, Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) and numerous local creators will showcase works that bridge tradition and modern innovation, including a smart textile handbag series co-created by intelligent textile brand GERI and esteemed graphic design master Dr Kan Tai-keung, demonstrating the synergy between technology and craftsmanship. The dedicated SHOP Zone will offer visitors the chance to purchase original design products from around the world. Meanwhile, the InnoTalks series will bring together international designers and industry leaders to explore timely topics such as creative toy intellectual property (IP) development, AI-powered design, and innovation in licensing and IP strategy.

We invite you or your representatives to attend the pre-tour and other fair highlights. Details are as follows:

Media pre-tour

Date:	3 December 2025 (Wednesday)
Time:	2pm-3pm
Assembly Time & Venue:	1:30pm at the Media Registration Counter, Hall 3D Concourse, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
Language:	Cantonese, Mandarin or English

DesignInspire Opening Event

Date:	3 December 2025(Wednesday)
Time:	3pm
Venue:	Hall 3DE InnoTalks, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
Officiating guests:	Sophia Chong, Executive Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council Drew Lai, Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, HKSAR Joseph Lo, Chairman, Hong Kong Design Centre Steve Leung, Chairman, HKTDC Design, Marketing and Licensing Advisory Committee Philippe Delhomme, President, Executive Board SAFI/ Maison&Objet

DesignInspire schedule

Date:	3 to 6 December 2025 (Wednesday to Saturday) 3 December (media pre-tour/VIP preview – by invitation only) 4-6 December (open to public)
Opening hours	3 December 4-5 December 6 December	2pm-7pm (media pre-tour/VIP preview – by invitation only) 9:30am-7:30pm  9:30am-7pm
Press Registration Counter	Hall 3CDE, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Registration begins 30 minutes before the fair opening. Members of the press should bring their name cards and press passes to the Media Registration Counter (Hall 3D Concourse, HKCEC) to receive press badges.
Media Centre	Expo Drive Entrance, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
Website	https://designinspire.hktdc.com/en/

* The event is sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA).

Key highlights to be featured during the press preview include:


(From left) Creations from anothermountainman, Moroso and Minotti by Andante

(From left) Creations from Riccardo Cenedella, Lucia Massari and Joy BC
Curated by renowned design master Alan Chan, UNVEIL LIMITED and Su Chang Design Research Office, BOTTEGA HONG KONG showcases a curated selection of lifestyle furniture and design pieces from Italy and Hong Kong. The lineup brings together top design talents from both regions, including renowned Hong Kong designer anothermountainman, leading Italian furniture brands Moroso and Minotti by Andante, designer Riccardo Cenedella, glass artist Lucia Massari, and artist and jewellery artisan Joy BC

(From left) Creations from Pen So, Afa Annfa and Andrea Ponti

(From left) Edward Chan, and creations from James Lau and Angus Tsui
Curated by artist Chilai Howard, TINY STUDIO showcases 12 creative units from Hong Kong and Italy, including comic artist and illustrator Pen So, visual artist Afa Annfa, Hong Kong-based Italian product and industrial designer Andrea Ponti, music producer Edward Chan, tattoo artist James Lau and fashion designer Angus Tsui, each interpreting the cultural dialogue between the two regions through diverse media and artistic disciplines

Organised by Hong Kong Design Institute, the second Motifx explores the vibrant world of Chinese characters. With the theme “Culture to Nature – A Surreal Garden of Botanical Patterns”, students and designers create a series of inspiring patterns and design works	Exhibitors such as world-renowned Czech Bohemian glass artisans, hand-drawn illustration and print specialists DittoDitto, and the sustainable fashion and lifestyle pavilion MATCH SHOWROOM will showcase design and art pieces in the SHOP Zone, available for collection and purchase

Intelligent textile solutions company GERI will unveil a new series of smart handbags created in collaboration with distinguished design master Dr Kan Tai Keung, marking the collection’s first public appearance at DesignInspire