Hong Kong’s annual fashion showcase CENTRESTAGE finished on a high on 5 September, wrapping up four days of bright lights and runway glamour. Drawing industry players from around the world to see and be seen, the fair attracted more than 12,000 trade buyers from 93 countries and regions, a new record that reflected Hong Kong’s international connectivity and its role in bringing creativity and commerce together.
Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and sponsored by the Hong Kong SAR Government Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the event featured some 270 brands from 24 countries and regions, another record. Exhibitors from Austria, Colombia, the Faroe Islands, Malaysia, Slovakia and the United Arab Emirates joined the fair for the first time.
Together with the concurrent Salon de Time high-end watch exhibition, CENTRESTAGE recorded more than 20,000 public visits. HKTDC Associate Executive Director Smilely Lam said the lively business discussions between consumers, exhibitors and buyers helped brands raise their visibility, identify opportunities and reach international markets.
Connecting brands with global buyers
Leading retailers jetting in for the event included London fashion and streetwear outlet Dover Street Market, UK department store Selfridges and Milan shopping and dining complex 10 Corso Como, as well as Korean online store Musinsa.
On her first visit to CENTRESTAGE, Selfridges menswear and streetwear buyer Sophie Rose Davis-Evans met more than 10 emerging brands. Hong Kong labels peces and MURFI LAU caught her attention and wholesale partnership negotiations are under way.
Richie Chan, founder of the Triple Major fashion store in Chengdu, placed three orders with Danish brand Henrik Vibskov and Thailand’s Collector Project. He also connected with Austrian fabric producer Lenzing to support his own label’s development.
International exhibitors reported promising commercial results. Korea debuted as Featured Partner, with 12 Seoul designer brands and 10 labels from Gyeonggi province. Its pavilion received more than 400 visits on its opening day, with several participating brands receiving collaboration invitations from a major Kai Tak shopping mall. First-time exhibitor Asparagus, a Seoul-based genderless fashion brand, reported potential orders worth US$6,000 to US$7,000 (HK$47,000 to HK$54,000)
Australia’s delegation held around 180 buyer meetings, exceeding expectations. Leather brand West 14th secured partnerships with buyers from Japan and Korea, while the delegation began discussions with a Hong Kong shopping mall on pop-up and long-term retail collaborations.
Austria’s first national pavilion featured seven sustainable labels, most making their Asian debut, including waterproof cape maker Cape De Coeur.
Hong Kong creativity takes the stage
Homegrown design was prominent throughout CENTRESTAGE, with established and emerging labels unveiling collections inspired by the city’s culture, streetscapes and creative energy.
The new Hype² pavilion showcased labels founded by Hong Kong celebrities and key opinion leaders. Claro, established by actress Rosita Kwok, attracted buyer interest from the Chinese Mainland, Germany and Japan.
More than 40 events were held, including a record 30-plus fashion shows.
The opening runway CENTRESTAGE ELITES presented looks from KIT WAN STUDIOS, whose designs have been worn by performing artists and collected by the National Museum of Norway. Meanwhile, the Fashion Hong Kong Runway Show presented collections by 112 mountainyam, ANGUS TSUI, ARTY:ACTIVE and Z I D I under the theme Hong Kong Dopamine.
The Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers’ Contest 2026 closed the event with collections by 10 emerging local designers. Tsui Ao Lung was named champion for The Tide, inspired by the classic Cantopop song Kuang Chao, while Kenneth Cheang won two awards for NOSTALGIA, an exploration of Hong Kong’s landscapes and memories. Jenny Lam received the public-voted My Favourite Collection award for her interpretation of local workplace culture.
A new perfume zone hosted more than 20 brands making their Hong Kong debut, with on-site sales expected to reach HK$100,000.
Sustainability also topped the agenda. German designer Jon Liesenfeld won the 16th Redress Design Award, while Hong Kong’s Jasmine CheuCheuk received the runner-up and Hong Kong Best prizes.
Crossovers to boom
Beyond the runway, industry sentiment is broadly positive. Among more than 350 exhibitors and buyers surveyed by the HKTDC, 96% expected overall sales to remain steady or grow over the next 12 to 24 months.
Cross-sector collaboration is also expected to gain ground, with 73% agreeing or strongly agreeing that brand crossovers and IP partnerships will become increasingly prevalent in the coming year.
Together, the findings indicate creative collaboration and access to new markets will remain important themes for the industry after CENTRESTAGE.