The 11th edition of CENTRESTAGE, Asia's premier fashion event, concluded successfully today, drawing over 12,000 trade buyers from 93 countries and regions—a new attendance record. Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), the four-day fair also saw significant growth in buyers from Vietnam, Russia, the US, and Malaysia. Combined with the concurrent Salon de Time, public attendance exceeded 20,000, underscoring Hong Kong's status as a vibrant fashion hub and East-meets-West cultural exchange center.
Smilely Lam, Associate Executive Director of HKTDC, noted that this year's event featured a record 270 brands from 24 countries and regions, including first-time participants such as Korea's DOUCAN and holynumber7, Austria's Woody, and Australia's VICETA WANG. The fair attracted top-tier international buyers like Dover Street Market London, Selfridges, 10 Corso Como, and Musinsa, fostering dynamic exchanges that highlight the industry's rapid integration with creative fields.
A survey conducted at the fair revealed optimistic industry sentiment, with 96% of respondents expecting steady or growing sales in the next 12-24 months. Fashion design was identified as the most popular product category (58%), and 73% agreed that brand crossovers and IP partnerships will become increasingly prevalent. To tap into the streetwear trend, CENTRESTAGE introduced the new Hype² pavilion, spotlighting labels by local celebrities and KOLs. Brands like Claro, founded by actress Rosita Kwok, attracted interest from buyers in the Chinese Mainland, Japan, and Germany.
Cross-sector collaboration was also a key theme, exemplified by local designer Janko Lam's 'Classics Anew' collaborating with ink painting artist Kan Tai-keung on the 'Quartet' collection. Ronald Chan of Devil Claw praised the pre-fair workshop for providing practical guidance on international buyer expectations, leading to on-site retail sales and new buyer discussions.
Korea debuted as the 'Featured Partner,' with 12 designer brands from Seoul and 10 from Gyeonggi Province. Wilfred Chung of KOTRA commended the fair's business-matching environment, noting over 400 visits on opening day and deals with Hong Kong buyers. Korean brands like Antonio Shin and Asparagus connected with buyers from diverse markets, with Asparagus expecting initial orders of US$6,000-7,000.
First-time national pavilions from Austria, Colombia, the Faroe Islands, Malaysia, Slovakia, and the UAE expanded the fair's international scope. Jennifer Feigll of Advantage Austria highlighted the fair as an excellent entry point into Asia, with brands like Cape De Coeur gaining media attention. Marianne Perkovic of the Australian Fashion Council noted an increase in buyer meetings from 120 to 180, with talks underway for pop-up stores in Hong Kong.
International buyers expressed enthusiasm for discovering new talent. Sophie Rose Davis-Evans of Selfridges met over 10 brands and singled out Hong Kong labels peces and MURFI LAU for wholesale partnerships. Tifandy Okto of Galeries Lafayette Indonesia showed interest in Australia's VICETA WANG and Chinese Mainland brand WANZZZ. Richie Chan of Triple Major placed three orders on the spot, including Danish brand Henrik Vibskov and Thai label Collector Project.
The fair featured seven themed zones, including the new Perfume zone with over 20 brands making their Hong Kong debut. Moon Li of Artis Cultural Association praised the fair's media exposure and expected retail sales of HK$100,000. Over 40 events, including a record 30+ fashion shows, showcased designers' latest collections, with CENTRESTAGE ELITES featuring KIT WAN STUDIOS and the Fashion Hong Kong Runway Show presenting Spring/Summer 2027 collections under the theme 'Hong Kong Dopamine.'
The 16th Redress Design Award finale also took place, with Germany's Jon Liesenfeld winning First Prize. CENTRESTAGE continues to serve as a vital platform for brands to enhance visibility, expand business opportunities, and reach international markets, reinforcing Hong Kong's role as a mega-event capital and creative hub.
