Scenes from the 2022 Press Conference
The fashion event CENTRESTAGE, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and supported by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's CreateHK, will be held in a hybrid format from September 9th to 11th. Over 240 brands from 15 countries and regions both inside and outside Hong Kong will come together to present 20 shows. Utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as AR and VR, the event is providing an interactive and exciting fashion experience to people all over the world.

Official website: https://centrestage.hktdc.com/home/


Scenes from the 2022 Press Conference

"Children of the discordance" will perform at the opening gala show.
The gala show "CENTRESTAGE ELITES" that will kick off the Centre Stage will feature the 2020 edition of Fashion Asia Hong Kong's "Children of the discordance". Children of the Discordance, by Hideaki Shikama, who was selected as one of the "Top 10 Asian Designers to Watch," will be making an appearance. The brand has attracted attention from around the world for its unique collections that fuse street culture and music, and will be showcasing its 23SS collection, including new items added specifically for this event. There will also be a show featuring the latest gender-neutral collection from DEMO, by Derek Chan and Mite Chan. The brand has quickly become a hot topic in Hong Kong as well.

The show will be streamed live on the CENTRESTAGE official website (https://centrestage.hktdc.com/home/) and social media (Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HKTDC.Exhibition, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hktdclifestyle/?hl=zh-hk).



https://youtu.be/kmzlGiyjfWI

Young designers gather at the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers Contest
Another highlight of the Centre Stage will be the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers Contest 2022 (YDC). Since its launch in 1977, the contest has produced many new talents for the global fashion industry, with the final judging taking place on September 11th. The judges include prominent industry figures such as designers, editors, buyers, and stylists, with Hideaki Shikama also invited as a VIP judge from overseas. Ten finalists will compete for the grand prize.


Supporting the Development of Hong Kong Designers
An event spotlighting up-and-coming local Hong Kong designers will also be held. At the "FASHIONALLY Collection #19 Fashion Show" on the 9th, seven brands, including ARTO., CAR|2IE, FromClothingof, KEVIN HO, Lapeewee, REDEMPTIVE, and WHY, which are gaining popularity in Japan, will present their collections and compete against each other.


Sustainable Initiatives
Six Hong Kong brands will participate in the "Fashion Hong Kong Runway Show." ANGUS TSUI, with its sci-fi flair; BLIND by JW, which combines fashion and art tech; V VISSI, SUN=SEN, 112 mountainyam, and Bettie Haute Couture, which are committed to social contribution through fashion, will present their Spring/Summer 2023 collections. Shows using the metaverse and fashion avatars will enhance the fashion experience.

This year's focus will be on high-quality, sustainable materials. Each designer will create their own creations using upcycled fibers from The Billie System, a Hong Kong textile manufacturer, Novetex Textiles Limited. Visitors to the Fashion Hong Kong booth will also be invited to donate their old T-shirts and polo shirts (100% cotton only). The first 100 attendees will receive a limited-edition commemorative gift made from upcycled materials.

During the event, the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and Salon de TE will be held simultaneously, offering a shopping destination featuring fashion apparel and high-quality watches from around the world. On the 10th and 11th, a lottery will be held where you can win a special "CENTRESTAGE X Watch & Clock."

【Official Site】
Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fairhttps://www.hktdc.com/event/hkwatchfair/en
Salon de TEhttps://www.hktdc.com/event/te/en





We interviewed three designers from the participating brands via email to hear their enthusiasm for the event.

The questions for each designer are as follows:

Children of the discordance (Shikama Hideaki)

1. What is the theme of this season's Center Stage collection? Also, what do you usually value when designing?
The core of the brand is valuing one's own background. Design work involves blending one's own background with a contemporary vibe, but one thing we mustn't forget is "discordance." Another fundamental principle I believe is crucial: being unique. 2. How has your creativity changed before and after COVID-19? How has the pandemic affected your creativity? One big difference is that we no longer make special winter clothing, and instead have a wider variety of lighter clothing to accommodate daily life during the pandemic. One factor I think is a change in business style is that we can no longer hold our own showroom in Paris, and now conduct business negotiations with buyers from around the world online. It wasn't until I started living during the pandemic that I realized that holding physical exhibitions and regularly presenting collections on the runway was what motivated me to create.

In June 2022, the pandemic subsided, and we were able to hold a showroom in Paris for the first time in a while. I'm proud to say that we were able to put a different level of passion into the details of our creations than we have in the past two years.


3. What are your thoughts on inclusion and diversity in the fashion industry, and in your own design methods? Please tell us about any actions you have taken as a brand.
As we incorporate a wide range of cultures, we have become very careful about the background of our designs. I feel that simply having a cool design is no longer enough. I consider this to be the most important factor in operating internationally. While our designs may not have many sensitive elements to begin with, we understand that we are now living in an age where we must pay close attention to the shapes and silhouettes contained in even the most casual logos. I believe that collaborating with international brands has allowed me to grow as a person.


4. Please tell us about the characteristics of the Hong Kong market and your expectations and feelings for CENTRESTAGE.
We have many business partners in Hong Kong, and I feel that there are many fans of the brand. Street fashion in Hong Kong is in the same time zone as Tokyo, and while it has been growing as a culture for a long time, I also get the impression that luxury fashion has taken root there. Many people there are passionate about fashion, and I hope that this show will help increase the number of fans of the brand.


5. What are your thoughts on the Japanese market and fashion creativity?
I think Japan has a unique fashion culture. I don't usually leave my studio much, so I'm not very familiar with current Tokyo fashion. Jumping into trends isn't my style, so I want to always pursue creativity that is unique to COTD.

NATACHA VAN

1. Please tell us the theme of this season's Center Stage collection. Also, what do you usually value when designing?
"The Traveler - Bringing glamour closer to you" is a new series being launched in the 2023 Spring/Summer collection. Inspired by the luxurious travel style of the world-famous Orient Express, we thought that glamour should be more accessible even on life's journeys.

The new collection is inspired by the glamorous and playful lifestyle of old-fashioned luxury travel that was also a part of the 1930s. Recreating the atmosphere of that time, I have combined a reinterpretation with the relaxed feel of modern travel to create a glamorous and fun 'SS23 collection.


2. How has your creativity changed before and after COVID-19? How has this pandemic affected your creativity?
Before the spread of COVID-19, I loved traveling abroad. Japan in particular inspires my collections. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, I've been traveling to smaller areas of Cambodia to find inspiration from local communities.


3. What are your thoughts on "inclusion and diversity" in the fashion industry, or in your own design approach? Please tell us about any actions you've taken as a brand.
From a designer's perspective, each design is a picture born from my imagination. Our team turns those designs into clothing, bringing our vision to life. I believe this is exactly what it means to have a diverse team of people.


4. Please tell us about the characteristics of the Hong Kong market, and your expectations and feelings about CENTRESTAGE.
By participating in Center Stage, I hope to increase brand awareness both domestically and internationally. I'm particularly focused on gaining recognition in Hong Kong, where the fashion industry is mature. At the same time, I'm also aiming to expand into the Japanese fashion industry. I think Japanese fashion is very unique and distinctive.


5. What are your thoughts on the Japanese market and fashion creativity?
I love Japanese fashion. I like how kimonos, which were once everyday wear, have now become traditional formal wear for special occasions and celebrations. Nowadays, modern clothing incorporating Western trends is common, but when Japanese people began to adopt Western styles, they were sensitive to global trends and added their own unique Japanese sensibilities and interpretations. This is how Japan's dramatic and unique fashion trends were born. Kimonos, which are considered traditional formal wear, were originally plain or basic kimonos in subdued colors worn everyday, but as times and fashions have changed, they have become grand and luxurious attire for special occasions.

Sparkle By Karen Chan

1. Please tell us the theme of this season's Center Stage collection. Also, what do you usually value when designing?
This is Karen Chan's fourth consecutive year participating in Center Stage. The main theme of Sparkle By Karen Chan's 2022-23 collection is "Hong Kong Story - Lion Rock Spirit." It is inspired by the image of a "nostalgic Hong Kong store" and "Hong Kong classics." The fabric patterns at the Nostalgic Hong Kong store are inspired by retro toys and snacks once sold in neighborhood stores—such as Hong Kong's iconic ska balls, plastic bubble tubes, lollipops, bottled juice, soda crates, and the intricate carvings on storefront iron gates. The patterns at Hong Kong Classic are inspired by streetscapes from the 1950s to the 1990s—spinning barber poles, ice cream trucks, and airmail envelopes—and feature red, white, and blue as their primary colors. These once-iconic Hong Kong pieces are reimagined in Sparkle By Karen Chan's bold and funky prints, transforming them into playful and unique chic cheongsams and thong jackets. In keeping with the brand's colorful spirit, all patterns feature bold neon colors, creating a happy, youthful, and vibrant palette. This year's main colors are "Sparkle By Karen Chan Loves Black Pink," "Red White Blue Reinvented," and "Black & Red Chic."

A modern cheongsam and thong jacket made from eco-denim are also suitable for the office. Meanwhile, the "Sparkle By Karen Chan 2023 IP Collaboration" is a wild and funky collaboration that crosses Hong Kong pop culture with global anime characters. It features Sanrio's popular character Kuromi, and expresses cheongsam-style street fashion in Hong Kong's signature neon colors.

All the themes have in common the toys, sweets, manga, and other items that filled our childhoods with joy and delight, evoking nostalgic memories of Hong Kong's past. In a time when daily life and joys were simpler, people worked hard, neighbors knew each other by name, and helped each other without asking for anything in return...that's the "Lion Rock Spirit."


2. How has your creativity changed before and after COVID-19? How has this pandemic affected your creativity?
Before the spread of COVID-19, everything was big and booming, and everyone was attending parties and events. But COVID-19 changed everything. Social gatherings suddenly disappeared, and masks became a part of everyday life. So I came up with the idea of printing colorful, original patterns on disposable KF and surgical masks, making them fashionable and practical by offering beauty and fun in addition to high protection.

And even though there are no more parties, people still have to go to work. I knew people like that would want to cheer themselves up with colorful fashion, so I created a denim collection featuring everyday cheongsams, thong jackets, and accessories.

Since the pandemic, people have been nostalgic for the "good old days" more than ever, and we incorporated retro Hong Kong items like red, white, and blue tarps, traditional floor tiles, and our "MITONG" rice bowls, which feature a pattern inspired by Chinese lucky coins, into our original patterns, which were met with great acclaim.


3. What are your thoughts on "inclusion and diversity" in the fashion industry, or in your own design approach? Please share any actions you have taken as a brand.
I believe inclusion and diversity are two sides of the same coin. To me, diversity means opening your mind to embrace things that are unfamiliar and outside of your comfort zone. Diversity, especially in the art and fashion world, means understanding that beauty knows no boundaries. Beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, genders, and ethnicities, and every culture has its own unique beauty. I grew up in Hong Kong, a melting pot of cultures, and various cultures have been imprinted on me from a young age. I was raised in a traditional Chinese family and studied in the British school system, which is a unique blend of East and West that Hong Kong offers. I then studied abroad for 15 years in the United States and Canada, where I was exposed to many cultures. My time abroad opened my eyes and mind, teaching me to appreciate all arts and cultures, which has had a profound influence on my designs.

Sparkle By Karen Chan not only combines the Chinese cheongsam with Western fashion aesthetics, but also incorporates elements of Korean and Japanese fashion into its designs. To me, Hong Kong is not just a Chinese society, but a truly international city where different cultures coexist. Everyone is beautiful in their own way, regardless of ethnic, cultural, or religious background. I encourage everyone to embrace their inner beauty and dress in their own style, without being bound by societal "fashion rules." I believe that Sparkle By Karen Chan's cheongsam, thong jackets, and streetwear designs are gorgeous and stylish for everyone, regardless of ethnicity, gender, age, or size. Traditional cheongsams can be tricky to wear. For a long time, the assumption has been that a cheongsam must be feminine and modest, with a slim figure that conforms to the dress's curves. Traditional tang jackets have typically been dark and monochromatic, projecting a masculine image. However, Sparkle By Karen Chan's designs are the complete opposite. While retaining the essential elements of the cheongsam—the mandarin collar, slanted placket, and impeccable craftsmanship—they incorporate Western elements like A-line skirts and floral sleeves. These new elements flatter the dress, while also providing practicality and a slimming effect, making it suitable for women of all ages and body types.

The tang jacket, crafted in bold colors and playful, childlike patterns, has become accessible to both men and women of all ages. The vibrant and playful tang jacket has given many people the confidence to wear it, and it can be worn in a feminine, masculine, or neutral style. Sparkle By Karen Chan is more than just fashion; it's a way to express who you are and who you want to be.


4. Please tell us about the characteristics of the Hong Kong market and your expectations and feelings about CENTRESTAGE.
The Hong Kong fashion market is very interesting. Hong Kong people have a strong desire to spend and tend to buy famous international brands and Western-style clothing. On the other hand, Chinese-style fashion is not popular because most cheongsams and thong jackets are traditional and outdated. However, with the arrival of Sparkle By Karen Chan on the market, I think people have realized that cheongsams and thong jackets can still look young and trendy. Sparkle By Karen Chan Collection - Sparkle By Karen Chan by Karen Chan is a contemporary designer brand specializing in chic high-end fashion from a young and vibrant China. As a luxury, cultural, and creative brand from Hong Kong, it is committed to reviving the cheongsam, an intangible cultural heritage. Combining the sublime craftsmanship and timeless beauty of the cheongsam with the modernity and fluidity of Western couture in funky, bold prints, Sparkle by Karen Chan elevates the traditional cheongsam and thong jacket into a colorful, fun, and wearable piece unique to Hong Kong.

Sparkle by Karen Chan's innovative and avant-garde interpretation of the cheongsam earned us the honor of being invited to Hong Kong Fashion Week's most influential center stage for the fourth consecutive year. We hope that the center stage will bring the cheongsam and Hong Kong fashion to international attention.


5. What are your thoughts on the Japanese market and fashion creativity?
Japan, with its rich traditions and culture, has long influenced the Western fashion scene. Many top couture houses have drawn inspiration from Japonism and the refined kimono, and the traditional kimono's unique structured silhouette and intricate layering have been adopted by many designers. In everyday life, modern Japanese fashion blends Eastern and contemporary elements, showcasing Western silhouettes and constructions while incorporating the Japanese essence of the kimono.

The Japanese kimono and the Chinese cheongsam have had a fascinatingly similar influence on modern fashion. Both are national dress, possessing intricate details yet simple and elegant forms. China and Japan share colorful histories and deep cultural roots, and the cheongsam and kimono share many common fabric designs, including exotic myths and folk tales, stories of everyday life, and motifs from nature, such as flora and fauna.

In addition to kimonos, contemporary Japanese street fashion is also highly regarded for its originality and distinctiveness. Sparkle by Karen Chan shares this fashion creativity.

And the "wabi-sabi" style. Its androgynous and avant-garde elements, regardless of age or gender, accentuate individuality. Sparkle By Karen Chan also incorporates these aesthetic principles, always original and transcending age and gender.