The 11th edition of CENTRESTAGE, Asia's premier annual fashion event, concluded successfully today, setting a new attendance record with over 12,000 trade buyers from 93 countries and regions, according to organiser the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). The four-day fair, held from 1 to 4 September, also drew over 20,000 public visitors when combined with the concurrent Salon de Time event, which were both open to the public for free for the first time.
The record turnout highlights the growing importance of Hong Kong as a fashion hub and a gateway for brands seeking to expand into Asian markets. Notably, buyer numbers from Vietnam, Russia, the US, and Malaysia saw significant growth, indicating robust sourcing demand from both emerging and established markets.
Smilely Lam, Associate Executive Director of the HKTDC, emphasized the fair's role in fostering international business connections. "CENTRESTAGE has been committed to assisting fashion brands and designers in expanding into international markets," she said. This year, the fair brought together 270 brands from 24 countries and regions, a record high, including first-time participants from Austria, Colombia, the Faroe Islands, Malaysia, Slovakia, and the United Arab Emirates. Also making their Hong Kong debut were international names such as DOUCAN and holynumber7 from Korea, Woody from Austria, and VICETA WANG from Australia.
The event also attracted top-tier retail buyers, including representatives from the UK's Dover Street Market London and Selfridges, Italy's 10 Corso Como, and Korea's Musinsa. Sophie Rose Davis-Evans, menswear and streetwear buyer at Selfridges, noted that the fair provided an excellent platform for discovering emerging labels. She highlighted two Hong Kong brands, peces and MURFI LAU, and said the company is negotiating wholesale partnerships with them.
Industry sentiment remains optimistic, with a survey conducted by the HKTDC during the fair revealing that 96% of respondents expect sales to remain steady or grow over the next 12 to 24 months. Cross-sector collaboration is seen as a key trend, with 73% of respondents agreeing that brand crossovers and IP partnerships will become increasingly prevalent. This trend was reflected in the fair's new Hype² pavilion, which showcased streetwear brands spearheaded by local celebrities and KOLs, and in collaborations like that between local designer Janko Lam and ink painting artist Kan Tai-keung.
The fair also served as a superconnector, facilitating business exchanges between brands and buyers. Korea debuted as the Featured Partner, presenting 22 designer brands from Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. Antonio Shin, founder of his namesake brand, connected with buyers from the Chinese Mainland, France, Germany, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Thailand. First-time exhibitor Asparagus, a Seoul-based avant-garde brand, attracted significant interest and expects initial orders of US$6,000 to US$7,000.
Emerging markets showed strong sourcing potential. Jennifer Feigll, Austrian Trade Commissioner for Hong Kong and Macao, led a national pavilion for the first time in the Circular Fashion zone, presenting seven sustainable brands. She praised the fair as "an excellent starting point for entering Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and the wider Asian market." Marianne Perkovic, Executive Chair of the Australian Fashion Council, reported that buyer meetings increased from 120 planned to 180, with strong interest from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, Indonesia, and Korea.
The fair also featured over 40 events, including more than 30 fashion shows, a record high. The opening show, CENTRESTAGE ELITES, showcased KIT WAN STUDIOS, while the Fashion Hong Kong Runway Show presented collections by four local labels under the theme "Hong Kong Dopamine." The event highlighted Hong Kong's role as a "mega-event capital" and its unique position as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, promoting cross-sector integration between fashion, art, and lifestyle industries.
With record participation and buyer interest, CENTRESTAGE reaffirmed its status as a vital platform for brands to enhance visibility, expand business opportunities, and reach international markets, particularly in Asia's rapidly evolving fashion landscape.
