Hong Kong’s flagship event for the design industry DesignInspire will open on 3 December at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) for four days of design showcasing, immersive experiences, workshops and business opportunities, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).
Over 250 exhibitors from 13 countries and regions will take part in the exhibition, including thematic pavilions mounted by the Chinese Mainland, Czechia, Macao and Taiwan.
HKTDC Assistant Executive Director Anna Cheung highlighted the event’s role in strengthening connections between local designers and the global design community: “Through a series of exhibitions and networking activities, we aim to foster deeper collaboration between the creative, design and business sectors – connecting buyers from the hospitality, real estate, luxury dining and cultural tourism industries – and unlock new business opportunities powered by design,” she said.
Maison&Objet returns as Strategic Partner
Paris-based design community Maison&Objet returns as Strategic Partner of the event, following its debut participation last year. The organisation will present pieces from 16 internationally celebrated designers and curators, alongside more than 200 brands in two exhibition zones. The displays will be complemented by Le Club, a dedicated space for business collaboration.
The Maison&Objet Design Factory will focus on sustainability, new materials and storytelling, featuring designers from Belgium, Thailand and more.
Another installation—Design Showcase—will present pieces from seven global design capitals that explore multifunctional design across living, work and hospitality environments.
Other installations include TINY STUDIO, curated by artist Chilai Howard, bringing together 12 design collectives from Hong Kong and Italy. Visitors will be invited to explore interactive experiences encompassing digital art, music, sculpture, fragrance blending, tattoo illustration and live weaving demonstrations.
Several leading Hong Kong design institutions will showcase innovation at DesignInspire. The Hong Kong Design Institute will present its Motifx home décor project, while the Hong Kong Design Centre will display over 200 pieces from its Design for Asia Awards held annually since 2003.
The InnoTalks series will host 14 sessions with global design leaders on topics such as creative collectibles, IP development, AI and inclusive design, while hands-on workshops in art-tech, sustainability and craftsmanship are open to members of the public eager to try their hand at creating original design pieces.
From corner shops to couture: a nostalgic design journey across borders
A highlight among the pavilions is BOTTEGA HONG KONG, designed by international design master Alan Chan in collaboration with UNVEIL and Su Chang Design Research Office.
The installation’s eye-catching structure resembles a giant carton box inside which a curated collection of furniture, lifestyle goods and design pieces from 15 Hong Kong and Italian brands is displayed.
Alan Chan revealed that the concept was inspired by the important role corner stores play in both Hong Kong and Italy and his own personal connection to these urban icons.
“I grew up in a corner shop,” he said, recalling that his family lived above a corner shop that his father ran in Wan Chai.
Similarly, in Italian villages and on street corners, delicatessens display cured ham, cheese and olives—serving as places where people greet each other, buy drinks and snacks, and connect with their local community.
The products may differ, but the spirit remains the same: spaces rooted in community and filled with human connection.
Conceptualised as an open cardboard box, the installation echoes the wooden crates of yesteryear, evoking themes of nostalgia and memory.
Inside the installation, Hong Kong's iconic Red A lampshades have been given a fresh look, painted in the red, white and green hues of the Italian flag and plastic crates once used for soft drink bottles have been transformed into transparent display stands.
The gallery displays various pieces of furniture—tables, stools, mirrors, umbrellas, vases—all everyday yet exquisitely crafted.
A standout item is a bespoke umbrella adorned with the skylines of Hong Kong and Italy—created through a collaboration between heritage umbrella makers from Hong Kong and Italy.
Another piece designed by Alan Chan himself reimagines a Giorgio Armani evening gown using an old Hong Kong feather duster, playfully blending folk craftsmanship with haute couture.
A week of design and business at HKCEC
The fair is part of an action-packed week of design and business.
Two other major HKTDC events will be held at HKCEC on 4 and 5 December–the Business of IP Asia Forum and Entrepreneur Day. Trade visitors can engage in one-on-one business matching sessions connecting design service companies with innovative enterprises from across the region to explore new partnerships.
Organised by Hong Kong Design Centre, the Business of Design Week Summit will run from 3 to 5 December at the HKCEC and will gather some of the world’s foremost design masters, brand leaders and entrepreneurs for a series of seminars on design, innovation and new business opportunities. This year’s summit features Italy as Partner Country.
Public visitors can enjoy free access to the DesignInspire exhibition from 4 to 6 December.