Star Designers Shine As Inaugural CENTRESTAGE Opens

7 September 2016 – CENTRESTAGE, a glittering new promotion platform and launch pad for fashion brands and collections, opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The four-day (7-10 September) international fashion event, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), has gathered some 200 fashion brands from 20 countries and regions to showcase the latest designer collections. More than 50 spectacular events will be held during CENTRESTAGE, including around 30 fashion shows with CENTRESTAGE ELITES being the highlighted opening gala fashion show. Trend seminars, designer sharing sessions, industry seminars and networking events are taking place during the trade show.

CENTRESTAGE aims to provide a launch pad for international, especially Asian, fashion brands and designers to present their collections, while reaffirming Hong Kong’s position as a global fashion capital. CENTRESTAGE adopts the theme “Shooting Stars” and debuts with four thematic zones: GLAM, ALLURE, METRO and FORWARD, showcasing fashion brands from around the world, including the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, India, Australia, the United States and Europe. Local and overseas industry associations are also taking part, such as the Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association, the California State Trade and Export Promotion & Center for International Trade Development from the US, the Taiwan Textile Federation and the Thailand Textile Institute.

The HKTDC has organised more than 30 overseas buying missions from 25 countries and regions, comprising buyers from over 1,000 companies. These include Galerie Lafayette from France, Shinsegae from Korea, specialty shop SHIPS from Japan and select shops NY Studio and The Fashion Door (TFD) from the Chinese mainland. Representatives from Lane Crawford, Harvey Nichols and online fashion retailer ZALORA are invited to the event. With such rich offerings, CENTRESTAGE has attracted buyers, particularly select shops, department stores and e-tailers, as well as fashion media and fashion enthusiasts from around the region.

CENTRESTAGE ELITES and 30 fashion shows
The large-scale opening gala fashion show CENTRESTAGE ELITES takes place this evening (7 September) with some of the hottest rising stars in Asia showcasing their latest collections for Spring/Summer 2017. The designers include Mim Mak from Hong Kong, Simon Gao from Beijing, Ko Taeyong from Seoul and Pongsak Suprratccheep & Thita Kamonnetsawat from Bangkok while top models such as Zelia Zhong, Angie Ng and Kiki Kang are invited to parade the collections during the fashion spectacular.

Another opening day highlight is Fashion Mirage, a fashion show staged by The Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association. Inspired by different local cultural elements, the show features 50 Hong Kong fashion designers, including Harrison Wong, Lu Lu Cheung, Walter Ma and Barney Cheng.

Apart from fashion shows and competitions spotlighting designers and collections, the International Fashion Supermodel (IFSM) Competition Asia-Pacific Regional Final will be held at CENTRESTAGE on 10 September. In attendance will be guests such as celebrated designers Jimmy Choo and Barney Cheng, top models Janet Ma, Qi Qi, Kathy Chow and Christine Au Yang, and industry professionals Kim Robinson and Zing.

Some 30 fashion shows will also be held during CENTRESTAGE, including those by 45R, anagram, ANTEPRIMA, Aquascutum, ARTHUR LAM, ATSURO TAYAMA, Charmante, Galtiscopio, HARRISON WONG, HIDY N.G., initial, i.t, JNBY, KENAXLEUNG, KOYO, LOOM LOOP, LU LU CHEUNG, Marimekko and MOISELLE.

Young Fashion Designers’ Contest: Nurturing local young design talents
The Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers' Contest (YDC) has for years identified many fine talents for the local fashion industry and has been a cradle for Hong Kong’s new designer brands. On the last day (10 September) of CENTRESTAGE, YDC 2016 will hold its final competition. Seventeen finalists will take the stage to compete for the top three awards as well as the Best Footwear & Accessories Design Award. This year, YDC has invited popular Japanese label FACETASM’s founder and designer Hiromichi Ochiai to be the VIP judge and to share his valuable insights and ideas with the finalists.

Meanwhile, the Knitwear Innovation & Design Society will organise the Knitwear Symphony on 9 September to uncover local design talents and nurture a new generation of knitwear designers as well as promote Hong Kong’s knitwear design and capability.

20+ industry seminars and networking events
The HKTDC has invited forecasting experts from WGSN and Fashion Snoops to analyse the coming year’s fashion and retail trends, while another seminar “CENTRESTAGE ELITES – The Asian Creative Forces that Shape the International Fashion Scene” invites the designers from CENTRESTAGE ELITES to discuss and share ideas about Asia’s design influence on international styles and trends. YDC 2016 VIP judge Mr Ochiai will likewise share his creative journey with the show’s visitors.

To keep industry professionals abreast of the latest global market developments, a variety of seminars are arranged, including a sharing session by Mao Jihong, founder of EXCEPTION de MIXMIND, a popular mainland brand. Other themes to be explored during CENTRESTAGE are “Technology Trends Transforming the Fashion Industry”, “Innovation and Technology Symposium 2016: When Fashion Meets Technology–The Art and Science of our Industry” and “A More Sustainable Fashion System: Is Digital Disruption Fuelling Positive Change?”

Hong Kong In Fashion: a citywide celebration of style
A signature fashion event for the region, CENTRESTAGE is the talk of the town among fashion enthusiasts from all walks of life. To share the excitement with the general public, the HKTDC is organising a citywide campaign “Hong Kong in Fashion”. More than 80 activities are being staged across the city with support from over 90 partners, including renowned fashion brands, malls, hotels, restaurants and fashion and design institutes. The citywide campaign runs from today until 25 September, and the activities are open to all fashion lovers.

The Hong Kong Design Centre is also staging “Fashion PMQ” at the PMQ design hub from today until 19 September, with an aim to facilitate the development of Hong Kong’s fashion industry. Designers from different disciplines are invited to turn PMQ studios into Fashion Crossover Pop-ups to showcase and sell their fashion designs and accessories.

CENTRESTAGE will become “OPENSTAGE” on the last day (10 September), when the doors will open to public visitors aged 12 or above free of charge, so that they can experience the magic of the fashion industry and check out the latest designs from leading brands. More than 50 brands will retail discounted products, offering fair visitors more shopping fun.

Fair details

Date: 7-10 September 2016 (Wednesday to Saturday)

Venue: Hall 3B-C & Grand Hall, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

Fair website: http://centrestage.com.hk

CENTRESTGE ELITES designer interviews: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBrAaPzPW6UrabQPmR11g1LLf9y-YH6Rv

Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers' Contest: www.fashionally.com

Hong Kong in Fashion: www.centrestage.com.hk/hkinfashion

Media Enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Communication and Public Affairs Department:

Joe Kainz     Tel: (852) 2584 4216           Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org

Media Registration: Media representatives wishing to cover the event may register on-site with their business cards and/or media identification.

To view press releases in Chinese, please visit http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/tc

About the HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) celebrates its 50^th anniversary this year. The HKTDC is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and services providers. 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 and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in overseas markets, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels including the media room. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.