Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), Hong Kong’s premier fashion event, Centrestage closed its 10th edition on a high note.

Held on an unprecedented scale, the four-day event attracted over 260 brands from 25 countries and regions and more than 10,000 buyers from 91 countries and regions. Notably, buyer participation from the UK, Mainland China, India, and Indonesia saw a significant increase, underscoring Hong Kong’s growing influence as a fashion hub and a center for East-West cultural exchange. Concurrent fashion event, Salon de Time, also contributed to the success, with a combined total of over 19,000 public visits, helping exhibitors expand their customer base and supporting the creative sector.

Highlighting the fair’s evolution over the years, Sophia Chong, Deputy Executive Director, HKTDC, states, over the past decade, Centrestage has become an essential trade and exchange platform for local, Asian, and international fashion brands. This year’s event set new records for scale and international participation, featuring renowned brands like Saul Nash (UK), HENRIK Vibskov (Denmark), and The Nerdys (Japan) for the first time. The fair also attracted top-tier buyers from around the world, including Machine-A (UK), Zalora (Indonesia), and Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores (Japan).

An optimistic outlook

Interviewing over 400 exhibitors and buyers, a survey conducted by the HKTDC during the fair, revealed a positive outlook for the industry. According to this survey, 56 per cent of respondents anticipate sales to grow in the next 12 to 24 months, with an additional 40 per cent expecting sales to remain steady. While 44 per cent respondents identified fluctuations in the global economy and 40 per cent cited intense competition as key challenges, around 38 per cent saw the greatest opportunities in the rising demand from emerging markets.

The fair showcased key trends, with fashion accessories once again identified as a major growth area. The newly launched Accessories zone was a direct response to this market demand, as 36 per cent of respondents saw accessories as having the highest growth potential.

Focus on cross-cultural craftsmanship

Featuring as the partner country for the first time, the United Kingdom presented 16 highly creative brands and emerging designers. In collaboration with the JCA-London Fashion Academy, the UK Pavilion highlighted sustainable concepts and innovative British design.

A major theme of the event was the fusion of traditional techniques with modern design. Internationally acclaimed couturier Guo Pei unveiled her entirely hand-crafted collection, ‘Gilternity: An Everlasting Radiance.’ Additionally, designers from diverse cultural backgrounds showcased works blending traditional techniques like embroidery and tie-dye. This included brands like Isabelle C from Hong Kong, which uses the Kesi silk tapestry technique, and Yu Kwa from Macao, which incorporates intangible cultural heritage in its designs.

Launchpad for emerging talent

In a show of global appeal, Danish showroom Vald Showroom and its featured brand, Henrik Vibskov, expressed excitement about exploring new Asian markets. Imellda Ho, a Hong Kong designer specializing in custom hats, praised the HKTDC for its international vision and hands-on support, which she called ‘irreplaceable’ for independent brands.

The fair also served as a launchpad for emerging talent. The Fashionally platform showcased new collections from brands like Marcch and Lapeewee, while the Redress Design Award 2025 honored sustainable fashion designers, with the championship title jointly awarded to Carla Zhang and Hugo Dumas. The event's success reaffirms Hong Kong's position as a dynamic and influential hub in the global fashion industry.