The 11th edition of CENTRESTAGE, Asia's premier fashion event, officially kicked off today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), drawing a record-breaking convergence of around 270 international brands from 24 countries and regions. Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, the four-day event runs until 5 September and is open free of charge to industry buyers and the public.
This year's CENTRESTAGE, a flagship programme of the third edition of Hong Kong Fashion Fest, features over 40 captivating events, including an unprecedented lineup of more than 30 runway shows. Smilely Lam, Associate Executive Director of the HKTDC, emphasized the event's significance: “CENTRESTAGE gathers a constellation of global fashion brands and design luminaries. Through this platform, we aim to leverage Hong Kong’s unique advantages as an international business hub and a 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. At the same time, it allows the public to experience the latest fashion and creative trends up close, further consolidating Hong Kong's position as Asia's fashion and creative hub.”
In response to the growing influence of streetwear among 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. Some 30 limited-edition and debut products are launched during the fair, and the "Hype2 Runway Show" on 4 September will bring 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 Kit Wan. The studio has designed "stage armour" for artists at the Grammy Awards and Eurovision. Over 30 brand-new looks debuted on the runway, 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.
Korea joins as the Featured Partner with its largest-ever pavilion, jointly organized by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), HISEOUL SHOWROOM, and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Hong Kong. The pavilion brings 12 renowned Seoul designer brands and the Gyeonggi Fashion Creative Studio, which presents 10 local brands. A thematic fashion show, "SEOUListic: The Future is Sustainable," will be held on 4 September, featuring former IZ*ONE member Lee Chae-yeon as a guest performer.
Other overseas pavilions include first-time participants from Austria, Colombia, the Faroe Islands, Malaysia, Slovakia, and the UAE. The Austrian pavilion, coordinated by Austrian Trade Commission, features brands like Woody and My Magpie. The Canadian pavilion highlights female-founded brands such as Iris Setlakwe and Devlyn Van Loon. The Thai pavilion returns with 14 brands, including KANZ BY THAITOR.
This year's exhibition features seven thematic zones, including a newly added "Perfume" zone with over 20 brands making their Hong Kong retail debut. The "Accessories" zone has been expanded, and other zones include "Craftsmanship," "Contemporary," "Urban," "Athleisure," and "Circular Fashion." The "Urban" zone features local label 8FIVE2 by Julius Brian Siswojo of the Hip Hop group 24herbs and Petrolhead by Louis Cheung and Yorki Fan, who made appearances on opening day.
Over 30 fashion shows will take place, including the Fashion Hong Kong Runway Show on 3 September, inspired by "Hong Kong Dopamine," presenting collections from 112 mountainyam, ANGUS TSUI, ARTY:ACTIVE, and Z I D I. FASHIONALLY will host presentations for young designers, and the "Meet the Designer" session will feature Korean designer Rok Hwang.
Industry competitions include the Redress Design Award 2026 and the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers' Contest (YDC) 2026, with the grand final on 5 September. The public can vote online for the "My Favourite Collection" award, with a chance to win one of five HK$2,000 Lee Gardens e-gift certificates.
Interactive zones such as the Fashion Sound Lab and SNAPIO Stand offer immersive experiences. The French Cultural Salon at FIGARO Café provides a space for exchanges. CENTRESTAGE is held concurrently with the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and Salon de TE, offering a one-stop shopping experience.
The HKTDC continues to invite buyers from around the world, including major retailers like B1OCK, Dongliang, 10 Corso Como, Muninsa, Dover Street Market London, and Selfridges. With its record-breaking participation and diverse programming, CENTRESTAGE reinforces Hong Kong's position as Asia's fashion capital and a hub for cultural and creative exchange.
