16 October 2015 – Supported by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), five leading Hong Kong fashion designers participated in this week’s celebrated Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week TOKYO 2016 Spring/Summer. A full-house attendance of over 330 buyers, media and fashionistas from Tokyo attended with about 100 more watching the live broadcast outside the show hall. Tokyo Fashion Week is one of the international fashion events throughout the year where the HKTDC organises Hong Kong designers to participate.
While the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week TOKYO 2016 Spring/Summer is still taking place at the official show venue - Shibuya Hikarie in the bustling heart of Tokyo, the “Fashion Hong Kong” group show stole the limelight, grabbing the attention of fashionistas and industry players alike. The show highlights and photos were uploaded on various social media channels by the show attendees and media, many of whom commented that the show was stunning and refreshing, demonstrating the versatility of Hong Kong fashion designs. FashionSnap.com, the top online fashion platform of Japan also ran a front-page feature story on the show.
The participating designers were Lulu Cheung, Chailie Ho, Polly Ho, Kathy Lam and KOYO William. They received overwhelming support from both the local and international fashion communities, and the show went viral on various social media channels.
Apart from staging the “Fashion Hong Kong” group show (14 October), a “Fashion Gallery” Pop-up Showroom was also set up (15 October) to facilitate networking and business opportunities. Over 260 buyers, media and fashionistas visited the “Fashion Gallery”. The designers’ showpieces and their sources of inspirations, such as music, movies, paintings, space travel and nature scenes were showcased. This novel Pop-up Showroom format came with "crossover" elements between fashion, art and tastes, providing another occasion for in-depth exchange and networking.
The participating fashion designers are keen to develop long-term links with the Japanese fashion market. Following the visit to PARCO’s company office and store (13 October) and Fashion Gallery (15 October), the HKTDC will further arrange a Joint Exhibition together with business matching activities on 20 to 22 October at the fashion hub, Daikanyama Hillside Terrace. This aims to connect Hong Kong fashion brands with important local buyers such as large department stores, international retailers.
The HKTDC helps Hong Kong industries such as the fashion industry by creating marketing opportunities. In addition to Tokyo Fashion Week, the HKTDC will join hands with designers to explore other fashion markets, such as taking part at Copenhagen Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week, as next stops overseas. In Hong Kong, the HKTDC’s Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter will take place in January 2016. Hong Kong Fashion Week for Spring/Summer will be held in July 2016 and CENTRESTAGE will be held in September next year.
The HKTDC’s “Fashion Gallery” provides a platform for buyers and designers to meet
Renowned designer Lulu Cheung presents her “Light It Up” collection at the Fashion Week, highlighting the boldness and softness of femininity through exquisitely chosen fabrics. Ms Cheung believes that taking part in overseas fashion events will help designers build their personal portfolio and enhance their reputation
Chailie Ho’s eponymous brand uses hand-drawn watercolour prints to portray the fluid beauty of femininity. Her “Mermaid Circus” collection vividly depicts the tranquillity of the underwater world, while the sway of silk captures the spontaneous and laid-back movements of sea creatures
Polly Ho’s Loom Loop is an ingenious mix of traditional Canton Silk processing and novelty in design. She uses these qualities in her latest collection to depict the classic story of “The Happy Prince”
Kathy Lam’s KATHY LAM STUDIO excels in the presentation of abstract musical rhythms through fashion. She says her favourite colours, blue and white, bring harmony and peace to everyday life. Her “Lorelei” collection is inspired by the 1984 hit song “Treasure”, by Scottish band, Cocteau Twins. The dream-like music and the unique vocal quality of the band prompted her to create the “Lorelei” collection where digital printing and geometrical patterns are merged together to give a sense of spontaneity
With shops in large shopping malls in Hong Kong and the mainland, KOYO William brings his new “Welcome on board” collection to the Tokyo market. As image consultant for several film stars, KOYO William thinks that the use of Outlast® fabric in clothing has the added function of adapting to different weather conditions. The collection blends novel fabrics with creative design concepts, making it forward-looking without losing its style
Please contact the HKTDC's Communication and Public Affairs Department:
Joe Kainz Tel: (852) 2584 4216 Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org
To view press releases in Chinese, please visit http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/tc
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The HKTDC is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturersand services providers. With more than 40 offices globally, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in overseas markets, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels including the media room. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.
