Asia’s fashion spotlight, Centrestage, returns this month with a theme of Chapter Infinity that celebrates unlimited opportunities

Since 2016, Centrestage has served as a promotional and launch platform for fashion brands and designer labels through exhibits, shows, contests and citywide campaigns. The international trade show, which is organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, has already established itself as Asia’s premier fashion event. 

Now, following a successful 2020 edition that made history as the first virtual runway show series in Hong Kong, Centrestage returns this month with an open invitation to the city’s fashion-loving public for shopping at special prices.  

Chapter Infinity, as the 2021 show is themed to “plot the story of a bright and positive future with endless opportunities in the post-pandemic era”. From September 10-12, the event features live broadcasting and video conferencing for overseas buyers as well as close to 30 fashion events including in-person runway shows, parades, KOL sharing sessions, trade seminars and more. 

This year’s Centrestage Elites opening gala show presents the dedicated works of two distinct designer brands. Mooyeol Lee, who majored in fashion design at Samsung Art and Design Institute, launched Youser in 2011 and debuted at Milan Fashion Week for the spring/summer 2020 season. He has won several industry awards, including the International Woolmark Prize in Asia and Best Designer from the Council of Fashion Designers of Korea.  

Hong Kong design duo Calvin Chan and Joyce Kun launched The World Is Your Oyster in 2015, quickly gaining the attention of major retailers such as Joyce Boutique. The brand “encourages wearers to proudly stand out with designs that capture style and celebrate a way to live”, featuring versatile and functional pieces made with the finest Japanese and Italian fabrics. Chan and Kun have also won several awards and been named one of 10 Asian Designers to Watch at Fashion Asia 2017 Hong Kong.  

With designs that celebrate exploration, experimentation and emotion, this year’s Centrestage  Elites are a fitting way to kick off an event that aims to reignite creativity in a world of infinite possibilities. 

Along with the two featured designers at the Centrestage Elites opening gala show are more than 200 brands that will also be gathering at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre during the three-day event. Among those are Hong Kong’s own Demo, V Vissi, Why and atelierYVF Ethical Bridal.

Founded by local designer Derek Chan in 2014, Demo aims to break down gender boundaries and defy expectations. Its signature “soft masculinity” combines traditional menswear elements with contemporary styling in designs that link modern life and classical literature with influences from nature and poetry. 

V Vissi was founded by Vickie Au to promote sustainable and intelligent fashion for a global audience. Together with her design consultancy company V Visionary, it works with fashion and apparel stakeholders to design and customise sustainable and ethical products that endure season after season. 

With three different lines for women, human and youth, Why is the brainchild of Ka Yan Lam. Its unique offerings include thoughtfully designed high-fashion womenswear, seasonless collectibles in gender-neutral sizes, and pieces made and reinvented from a client’s own clothing or materials.  

AtelierYVF Ethical Bridal takes its name from founder Yasmina Viale-Fraine, who started sewing at age eight and moved from Paris to Hong Kong in 2011 and founded atelierYVF in 2017. Her designs feature an artistic, modern bohemian style crafted out of silks from China, Korea and Japan, and French laces from Calais, Chantilly, Lyon and Alençon. The brand mixes European and Asian influences and bring a more ethical and sustainable offer to evening and bridal wear.

These are just among some of the highlights to look forward to at this year’s Centrestage; the event is set to showcases the city’s expanding influence in the global world of fashion. Register now for free admission.

Also see: 10 Hong Kong fashion brands to support