The DesignInspire 2025 exhibition opened at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, running until 6 December with free admission. Sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council with co-organiser Hong Kong Design Centre, the event features over 260 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions, demonstrating how design connects culture, industry, and everyday life.
A key highlight is the return of French design authority Maison&Objet under the upgraded banner Maison&Objet Intérieurs Hong Kong 2025. Centred on the concept of "Crossroads," the curation presents cross-cultural design language spanning dialogue, sustainable innovation, and avant-garde craft. Philippe Delhomme, Executive Board Chairman of Maison&Objet, noted the positive feedback from last year's showcase and highlighted that this year's event nearly doubles in scale, aiming to showcase the future of interior design. Full event details are available at https://designinspire.hktdc.com.
The exhibition features international pavilions from places including the Chinese Mainland, Belgium, Czechia, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, South Korea, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates. The Czech Pavilion, for instance, gathers Prague-based brands Artisème, Braasi Industry, and Pigmentarium, showcasing Bohemian crystal and porcelain craftsmanship, handcrafted urban backpacks, and artistic fragrances. This global representation underscores the event's role as a nexus for international trade and cultural exchange in design.
Renowned designer Alan Chan and emerging artist Chilai Howard anchor the cross-cultural narrative. BOTTEGA HONG KONG, with Alan Chan as Creative Director, reimagines everyday aesthetics through an "open carton" inspired by Italy's alimentari and Hong Kong's "si dor" neighbourhood stores. TINY STUDIO, curated by Chilai Howard, takes inspiration from Hong Kong's street stall culture to shape 12 studio pavilions with unique designs, hosting creators from both Hong Kong and Italy working across digital art, sound, scent, sculpture, and hands-on workshops. These showcases illustrate the commercial potential of blending local heritage with global design sensibilities.
DesignInspire 2025 includes 13 InnoTalks sessions and 20 creative workshops covering sustainable design, retro aesthetics, and craftsmanship. Highlights include "Time Warp – When Nostalgia Meets the Future" and "Future development potential of Art Toy IP," where international designer Winson Ma analyses industry trends. Notably, the event features "The A.I. Atelier," an experience zone blending design and technology powered by Preface, exploring how artificial intelligence reshapes design language. This integration signals a pivotal shift for industries where AI is becoming a core tool for innovation and efficiency.
To foster collaboration, DesignInspire hosted an exclusive VIP preview, bringing together leading creative organisations, international enterprises, and buyers from department stores, retail and residential development, hospitality and lifestyle brands, interior design practices, and food and beverage groups. The event runs concurrently with three other HKTDC-led events – Business of IP Asia Forum, Entrepreneur Day, and Start-up Express: International Edition 2025 – creating further synergies and business opportunities through one-on-one business matching. For business and technology leaders, this convergence highlights the growing economic importance of design-driven innovation and intellectual property in global markets.
