HONG KONG – The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)-organized CENTRESTAGE, Asia's annual premier fashion event, officially kicked off today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The four-day exhibition, running until 5 September, is open free of charge to both industry buyers and the public, marking its 11th edition with a record-breaking convergence of some 270 international brands from 24 countries and regions. This year's event features over 40 activities, including more than 30 runway shows, and is a flagship programme of the third edition of Hong Kong Fashion Fest.
Smilely Lam, Associate Executive Director of the HKTDC, highlighted the event's role in leveraging Hong Kong's advantages as an international business hub and superconnector. "We enable Hong Kong brands to connect with overseas buyers, while simultaneously attracting international labels to use Hong Kong as a springboard into Asia, fostering two-way collaboration and creating more business opportunities," she said. The event also allows the public to experience the latest fashion trends, further consolidating Hong Kong's position as Asia's fashion and creative hub.
In response to the meteoric growth of streetwear, driven by Gen Z consumers, CENTRESTAGE debuts the Hype2 pavilion, a dedicated zone spotlighting fashion labels spearheaded by local celebrities and KOLs. Exhibitors include Rosita Kwok's Claro, Vincent Wong's OGIS, Kelvin Kwan's PICK AND MATCH, ROSEMA.ESE X Jaime Cheung, and Pakho Chau's XPX. During the fair, some 30 limited-edition and debut products are launched, with the "Hype2 Runway Show" scheduled for 4 September, bringing together over 10 streetwear brands with special celebrity guest appearances.
The grand opening fashion show, CENTRESTAGE ELITES, featured KIT WAN STUDIOS, a multidisciplinary design and visual arts studio led by Hong Kong-born creative director and visual artist Kit Wan. The studio has designed "stage armour" for artists at the Grammy Awards and Eurovision, showcasing Hong Kong design on global stages. Over 30 brand-new looks from the "MUTANT // MYTHOLOGY" collection debuted, with select pieces displayed at the fairground. The show was livestreamed across multiple platforms, and on 4 September, Kit Wan will engage in a sharing session with Dan Hastings, Editor of The Business of Fashion.
This year, Korea joins as CENTRESTAGE's Featured Partner for the first time, with the largest-ever pavilion. Jointly organized by KOTRA, HISEOUL SHOWROOM, and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Hong Kong, the pavilion brings 12 renowned Seoul designer brands, including DOUCAN, ELNORE, and RE RH'EE, alongside the Gyeonggi Fashion Creative Studio, which presents 10 local brands such as ARTS DE BASE, PHENOMENONSEEPER, and VEGANTIGER. The pavilion will host a thematic fashion show, "SEOUListic: The Future is Sustainable," on 4 September, featuring former IZ*ONE member Lee Chae-yeon as a guest performer.
The exhibition's global footprint continues to expand with first-time participants from Austria, Colombia, the Faroe Islands, Malaysia, Slovakia, and the UAE. The Austrian pavilion, coordinated by Austrian Trade Commission, brings 7 brands, while the Canadian pavilion features high-end, female-founded brands like Iris Setlakwe and Devlyn Van Loon. The Thai pavilion returns with 14 brands, including KANZ BY THAITOR. Other pavilions include Quanzhou, Macao, Australia, and Slovakia.
New this year is a 'Perfume' zone, gathering over 20 fragrance brands from Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam making their Hong Kong retail debut, alongside local brand OCO. A Scent Station allows visitors to sample fragrances. The 'Accessories' zone has been expanded, featuring local label Bethel, while the 'Craftsmanship' zone includes Malaysia's Maswira Majid and local brand Wanzzz. The 'Contemporary' zone showcases avant-garde aesthetics with Colombia's STUDIO INGRID BURGOS and Chinese Mainland's Langdeng. The 'Urban' zone includes local label 8FIVE2 by Julius Brian Siswojo of 24herbs and Petrolhead by Louis Cheung and Yorki Fan. The 'Athleisure' zone features local brand Plan216, and the 'Circular Fashion' zone highlights local brand JESSE LEE with 3D-printed upcycled garments.
The event also features over 40 exciting events, including a historic high of over 30 fashion shows. The Fashion Hong Kong Runway Show, inspired by "Hong Kong Dopamine," will present collections from 112 mountainyam, ANGUS TSUI, ARTY:ACTIVE, and Z I D I. FASHIONALLY will showcase young designers, and the Redress Design Award 2026 and the "Create Outside the Box" Fashion Design Competition will take place. The grand finale, the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers' Contest (YDC) 2026, will be held on 5 September, with the public invited to vote online for the "My Favourite Collection" award.
Interactive zones such as the Fashion Sound Lab, SNAPIO Stand, and FIGARO Café offer immersive experiences. The HKTDC continues to invite international buyers, including from B1OCK, Dongliang, 10 Corso Como, Muninsa, Dover Street Market London, and Selfridges. CENTRESTAGE is held concurrently with the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and Salon de TE, offering a one-stop shopping experience. More information is available at the CENTRESTAGE website.
