Hong Kong Fashion Fest 2026: “Rhythm Of The Heart” Sets the Stage for Global Fashion Dialogue

Fête Chinoise Exclusive: On the Ground in Hong Kong at Hong Kong Fashion Fest 2026
Written by Anna Au-Yeung
Photography: Anna Au-Yeung, Hong Kong Fashion Fest 2026

Hong Kong’s 3rd annual Fashion Fest—“Rhythm Of The Heart”—took place from September 1 to 14, with expanded programming hosted at premier landmarks across the city. Sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and held in collaboration with six different organizations, Fashion Fest continues to refine, expand, and elevate its diverse slate of design events in an effort to promote Hong Kong as the East-meets-West international hub for cultural and fashion exchange.

Fête Chinoise was honoured to be the only Canadian media outlet invited among international press to experience Hong Kong Fashion Fest during a whirlwind four full days of programming. Highlights from the festival included:

VIRTUOSE: The Artistry of Couture

The grand opening fashion showcase took place at the Hong Kong Palace Museum, featuring bespoke cross-cultural couture collections from Hong Kong designers Vivian Luk and Tigerstrolling, Spanish designer Guillermo Decimo, and Vietnamese designer Phan Huy.

This couture show set an elevated tone for Fashion Fest, presenting fashion as art through painstaking detail and countless hours of exquisite craftsmanship on display. The showcase represented the highest echelon of fashion in exclusivity, technique, and visionary artistic expression—making for an inspiring, star-studded event.

The World Is Your Oyster designer Joyce Kun modeling her jacket

Wear's HK

A new Fashion Fest initiative, "Wear's HK" featured citywide pop-up activations across six premier shopping destinations, including Harbour City, IFC Mall, and Harvey Nichols at Pacific Place. Collections by local Hong Kong designers were made accessible for public purchase, accompanied by opening ceremonies at each location featuring the designers alongside celebrity guests.

This initiative was a smart, effective way to introduce local designers to both residents and international visitors, giving consumers the opportunity to understand the designers’ vision and direct access to purchase pieces on the spot. Because the curated selections were limited in quantity, temporary, and location-exclusive, the resulting retail experience felt uniquely elevated and exclusive.

CENTRESTAGE

A major trade showcase exploring sustainable textiles, eco-friendly manufacturing, and lifestyle products—ranging from perfumes, footwear, and accessories to cutting-edge streetwear, denim, and evening gowns—CENTRESTAGE featured global representation from Australia, Japan, Mainland China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Canada. This marked the first year CENTRESTAGE was integrated directly into the Fashion Fest schedule, creating dynamic synergies across the two-week festival.

Held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the trade show paired a sprawling exhibition hall with a dedicated runway stage for highly anticipated showcases, most notably Hong Kong designer Kit Wan’s CENTRESTAGE ELITES show. Fête Chinoise Chinoise was present at the after party event where Kit Wan designs were illuminated and celebrated while live performances and a DJ set the mood.

Hon. Sunny Tan speaking on Hong Kong’s role as an International Fashion Hub Leader in Asia

Bohan Qiu presentation on consumer trends in China

Fashion Summit 2026 International Conference

Gathering top innovators, global fashion groups, environmental organizations, and industry decision-makers, Fashion Summit 2026 focused on sustainable design and the integration of AI and digital technology. Organized by the Clothing Industry Training Authority under the theme “Code the Fashion Forward,” the summit examined the intersection of style and digital transformation.

Fête Chinoise attended keynote presentations by the Honorable Sunny Tan and Bohan Qiu. Honorable Sunny Tan spoke passionately about Hong Kong’s role as an international fashion hub, highlighting the city’s strong manufacturing heritage, unique international Chinese network, and well-established design ecosystem. Bohan Qiu offered expert insights into Chinese consumer trends, unpacking the evolving purchasing habits across different generations in China and what they mean for global brands looking to expand into the Chinese market.

Future Threads - Menswear’s New Waves exhibition

individual pieces and designer bios displayed on the ground level

Future Threads: Menswear’s New Waves

A cross-regional collaboration between the Hong Kong Design Centre and the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, this exhibition bridged classic Italian tailoring with modern East Asian style.

Ten emerging designers (five from Hong Kong and five from Italy) presented their Spring/Summer 2027 collections from initial moodboards to completed contemporary menswear pieces. Housed in a two-story exhibition and retail space in Fashion Walk, Causeway Bay, the ground floor presented designer bios and key garments, while the upper floor housed full collections. Fête Chinoise enjoyed a guided tour of all ten collections, learning about the distinct inspirations behind each piece.

“10 Asian Designers to Watch” Fashion Show

“10 Asian Designers to Watch” Award Presentation

Gawon from K-Pop Group Meovv - special guest of Hong Kong Design Centre wearing Disaya - a Thai designer and one of the “10 Asian Designers to Watch”

“Glam Rock”, a special three-act ballet performance by Hong Kong Ballet

Hong Kong Fashion Fest Gala and “10 Asian Designers to Watch” Fashion Show & Award Presentation Ceremony

Organized by the Hong Kong Fashion Council, the Fashion Fest Gala leaned into the “Rhythm Of The Heart” theme to curate a star-studded evening bringing together fashion, art, and culture. The gala featured “Glam Rock,” a nostalgic, three-act ballet performance by the Hong Kong Ballet set to three rock tracks, including one by legendary Hong Kong band Beyond. The dancers wore avant-garde costumes designed by global fashion icon Robert Wun, creating a striking visual centerpiece. The gala also hosted the “10 Asian Designers to Watch” Fashion Show & Award Presentation Ceremony, a program presented by the Hong Kong Design Centre recognizing outstanding creators from across Asia.

“SEOUListic: The Future is Sustainable” Fashion Show

SEOUListic: The Future is Sustainable

As part of CENTRESTAGE, Korea debuted as the official “Featured Partner” for the first time, presenting the "SEOUListic: The Future is Sustainable" fashion show. The showcase highlighted the creativity and eco-conscious craftsmanship of 12 Korean designers, complete with a special performance by former IZ*ONE member Lee Chaeyeon.

DJ Sammy Leung - “5th Hong Kong Denim Festival Ambassador” and Guest Speaker

The 5th Hong Kong Denim Festival “Denim Voyage Party” & Fashion Show

Set in the Sky Lobby of Central Plaza in Wan Chai, the "Denim Voyage Party" opened with a lively set by veteran DJ Wong Chi-Chung. Guest speaker and Denim Festival Ambassador DJ Sammy Leung kicked off the event by sharing his personal love for denim, from his father's style influence to bespoke riding wear for his passion for motorcycles.

Organized by the Hong Kong Design Institute, the runway show explored denim’s evolution from utility workwear to contemporary fashion through 30 distinct looks. Created by emerging Hong Kong designers, local brands, and an acclaimed Korean streetwear label, the garments moved through a winding runway, showcasing deconstructed tailoring, avant-garde silhouettes, and sustainable practices in everyday contemporary denim fashions.

Each event highlighted how the Hong Kong government, industry leaders, and fashion institutions are forward focused on developing and promoting Hong Kong’s textile and fashion industry. While in the past, Hong Kong’s textile industry had a manufacturing focus; Hong Kong is betting on the transition to an international fashion hub by establishing itself as a design centre utilizing collaborations and synergies with different countries. With each consecutive Fashion Fest, Hong Kong is on the path to success.