The number of participating designer brands and fashion shows reached a record high this year, showcasing the vibrancy and international influence of Hong Kong's fashion industry, and strengthening the city’s position as an international trading hub and an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. The fair is open to industry buyers and the public for free, welcoming visitors to experience the unique charm of Asia’s fashion capital in person.

Smilely Lam, Associate Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: “HKTDC is committed to promoting trade development through the extensive global network and years of exhibition experience to actively support Hong Kong fashion brands and designers in expanding into overseas markets. This year marks the 11th edition of CENTRESTAGE. Leveraging on Hong Kong’s role as a superconnector, we would like to utilise CENTRESTAGE to connect the industry with global buyers, partners and media. Through CENTRESTAGE, Hong Kong fashion and design can go further and shine brightly on the world stage.”

Inaugural Hype² pavilion harnesses star power and KOL influence

With the continuous growth of the global streetwear market and Generation Z consumers increasingly seeking "self-expression" and "emotional value", CENTRESTAGE introduces the Hype² pavilion for the first time this year. This pavilion spotlights fashion labels spearheaded by local celebrities and KOLs, promoting cross-sector collaborations across the fashion & lifestyle, show & entertainment, culture & creative industries. Participating brands include Claro by Rosita Kwok, OGIS by Vincent Wong, PICK AND MATCH by Kelvin Kwan, ROSEMA.ESE X Jaime Cheung by Jaime Cheung and Ariel Leung, and XPX by Pakho Chau and more. Several brands will launch limited-edition or debut products during the fair to further drive excitement. The fair will also host the "Hype² Fashion Show" on 4 September, featuring a joint presentation by more than 10 trend-setting brands.

CENTRESTAGE ELITES: KIT WAN STUDIO’s solo fashion show in Hong KongThe grand opening fashion show, CENTRESTAGE ELITES, will take place on the first day of the fair (2 September), putting the spotlight on KIT WAN STUDIOS, a multidisciplinary design and visual art studio led by Kit Wan, a Hong Kong-born creative director and visual artist. The studio's collaborative roster of local superstars is formidable and includes Miriam Yeung, Hins Cheung, MC Cheung, and Panther Chan. The artist’s overseas collaborations also span multiple top-tier events, including designing ‘stage armour’ for artists in Los Angeles at the Grammy Awards and Eurovision in the United Kingdom. Marking his solo fashion show in Hong Kong, the presentation is themed "MUTANT // MYTHOLOGY", connecting the two seemingly unrelated concepts of "mutation" and "mythology". Through three narrative chapters, it presents a cinematic fashion journey, striking a balance between the studio's signature performative showpieces and more-wearable fashion silhouettes. The HKTDC has specially arranged to livestream this grand fashion occasion on the CENTRESTAGE website and Instagram account, the HKTDC’s YouTube channel, Facebook and other official pages, as well as various lifestyle online platforms. During the fair, a dedicated exhibition area will also be set up at the venue to display selected works from CENTRESTAGE ELITES. Kit Wan will attend the fair in person on 4 September to share his experience in expanding into overseas markets and his insights on creative inspiration, to help guide young designers and fashion design students.

Korea debuts as "Featured Partner" to present largest-ever pavilion

This year’s CENTRESTAGE brings together exhibitors from 24 countries and regions, among which the Faroe Islands, Austria and Slovakia from Europe, the United Arab Emirates from the Middle East, Malaysia from Asia, as well as Colombia from South America will participate for the first time, further broadening the international footprint of CENTRESTAGE. Korea, meanwhile, becomes CENTRESTAGE's “Featured Partner” for the first time, with the Korean Pavilion jointly organised by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), HISEOUL SHOWROOM and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Hong Kong, marking the largest pavilion in the event's history. The pavilion brings 12 Seoul-based designer brands, including doucan, ELNORE, Ét demain, HOLYNUMBER7, NUOSMIQ and RE RH'EE. Beyond Seoul, the Gyeonggi Fashion Creative Studio brings 10 local brands, including ARTS DE BASE, PHENOMENON SEEPER and VEGANTIGER, introducing the latest Korean styling aesthetics and high street fashion to Hong Kong. The Korean pavilion will also present a thematic fashion show titled "SEOUListic: The Future is Sustainable" on 4 September (the third day of the fair). In addition to showcasing the creativity and sustainable concepts of Korean designers, Lee Chae-yeon, a former member of the girl group IZ*ONE, will make a special guest performance, fusing fashion and entertainment to highlight the charm of Korean pop culture.

The Austrian pavilion, coordinated by Austrian Trade Commission, makes its debut with seven brands, including Woody, which boasts over a century of wooden shoe craftsmanship, and the avant-garde structuralist brand km/a mode. Led by the Australian Fashion Council, the Australian pavilion will present 10 participating brands showcasing a natural and comfortable Australian fashion aesthetic. Meanwhile, the Canadian pavilion, spearheaded by the Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong and Macao, gathers several high-end, female-founded and female-led brands, including Iris Setlakwe and Devlyn Van Loon.

Seven thematic zones feature new "Perfume" zone

This year’s CENTRESTAGE features seven thematic zones. The brand-new "Perfume" zone gathers various fragrance brands from around the world, including niche labels from Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam that are not yet available in Hong Kong, allowing buyers and fashion enthusiasts to extend their fashion experience through scents. The "Craftsmanship" zone is a combination of artisanal techniques and fashion design, featuring first-time Malaysian exhibitor Maswira Majid and local brand Catchu Syvaion, which incorporates craft elements into lingerie design. The "Contemporary" zone brings together brands such as Colombian label STUDIO INGRID BURGOS and Chinese Mainland premium menswear and womenswear brand Langdeng. The "Urban" zone spotlights casual design brands full of metropolitan charm, including local brand COLE COOL. The "Athleisure" zone gathers multiple collections combining sportswear elements and workwear, including local brand Glocal Mahjong. The "Circular Fashion" zone introduces first-time German exhibitor Paulina's Friends and local brand JESSE LEE, showcasing upcycled fabrics combined with 3D printing technology. Furthermore, the "Accessories" zone, which was first introduced last year, has further expanded in scale this year, with American luxury brand Jeremie St. Croix making its debut.

Record number of fashion shows gathers industry elites and rising stars

This year, CENTRESTAGE will feature more than 40 spectacular events, of which over 30 are fashion shows covering a diverse range of styles, setting a new record for the fair. One of the major highlights, the Fashion Hong Kong Runway Show, will take place on 3 September. Inspired by the theme "Hong Kong Dopamine", it will transform the diversity, aesthetics and energy of this city into a sensory experience. Four local designer brands, including 112 mountainyam, ANGUS TSUI, ARTY:ACTIVE and Z I D I, will present their latest creative collections, interpreting the unique allure of Hong Kong fashion design.

In addition, other exciting fashion shows will feature local labels including KEVYIU, VICTOR CHAN STUDIO x atelierYVF, Cixi Jewelry and Cecilia Yau Couture, as well as designs by Paulina's Friends from Germany and Slovak designers Bráz Noémi and Mišena Juhász, showcasing diverse creative design styles from different regions to industry professionals and audiences. CENTRESTAGE will also host a series of talks during the fair, including a "Meet with Designer" session featuring Korean designer Rok Hwang in person on 4 September, who will share his experience in building the ROKH brand and taking it onto the international stage, as well as his observations and insights on the development of the global fashion industry. In addition, organisations including Redress, AiDLab and the Australian Fashion Council will present thematic talks exploring hot topics such as circular fashion and fashion technology.

CENTRESTAGE continues to nurture emerging design talent through a series of competitions, including the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers' Contest (YDC) organised by HKTDC, which is dedicated to providing a platform for young designers to showcase their work. In addition, the "Thread of Creativity – Fashion Design Competition 2026" organised by the Asian New Generation Creativity Design Association will also take place during the fair, allowing young designers to demonstrate their creative talent and inject fresh energy into the industry. In addition, the "Sparkle Charity Foundation x Sparkle Collection: Next In Chinese Style – Young Designer Challenge 2026 Award Presentation Ceremony", initiated by designer brand SPARKLE by KAREN CHAN, will honour the next generation of design talent, promoting the inheritance and innovation of fashion culture while encouraging young designers to fulfil their potential.

Other highlights include a fashion showcase organised by the Fashion Farm Foundation, featuring works by designers from the Greater Bay Area, as well as the "Young Knitwear Designers' Runway 2026" organised by the Knitwear Innovation and Design Society (KIDS), showcasing the vitality and development potential of Hong Kong's knitwear fashion industry.

The HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and Salon de TIME (1-5 September), also organised by HKTDC, will be staged concurrently with CENTRESTAGE, allowing visitors to explore the latest watch and clock products alongside fashion brands at the same venue. The CENTRESTAGE Instagram account (@centrestage_hktdc) has been continuously updated with the latest event information and fashion trends. Everyone is welcome to follow the account to stay closely connected with all the latest happenings at CENTRESTAGE.

CENTRESTAGE:

https://www.hktdc.com/event/centrestage/en