We can’t talk about the rise of Asia’s presence in the global fashion conversation without the mention of Hong Kong. One of the earliest port cities to assert its doubly-influential presence in both the East and West spheres, Hong Kong was once at the forefront of all things innovative and multicultural before the advent of the Internet and ease of travel; it was where art, music and films celebrated tradition and innovation in equal measures.
Today, it continues to uphold this claim to fame with the second edition of Hong Kong Fashion Fest, after a successful first run last year. Happening between 22 November and 7 December, the government-funded event presents seven flagship programmes that covers areas such as haute couture, digital fashion, denim, sustainability, cross-disciplinary collaborations, as well as business and industry exchange — showcasing the city as a choice cradle for new ideas in fashion to meet, mix and come to fruition.
“Building on the success of last year’s inaugural Hong Kong Fashion Fest, this year’s edition will fully showcase the city’s dynamic fusion of tradition and innovation, the creative power of a new generation of designers, and the international vision and cross-sector excellence of our creative talent,” shared Miss Rosanna Law, JP, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism.
To be more specific, Hong Kong Fashion Fest is all the more important to the global fashion stage because it is spearheaded and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, which has played an instrumental role in advancing collaborative projects between Hong Kong and international partners — including the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM), organiser of Paris Fashion Week, and the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (CNMI), organiser of Milan Fashion Week.
If these names are not reassurance enough that this event will offer quality, insightful and fresh experiences of fashion’s frontier and Hong Kong’s critical role in it’s development, then the fact that there is official support will — here’s an outline of how a well-aligned push for innovation will ripple through fashion on a global scale.
VIRTUOSE: The Artistry of Couture 2025.
Presented by the Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association (HKFDA) on 22 November, the first programme of the festival is a runway show that gathers next-generation couture designers from across France, Japan, Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong to showcase their latest creations — all against the backdrop of the Victoria Harbour.
“For me VIRTUOSE is about exchange — meeting new perspectives, celebrating craftsmanship across cultures, and showing that couture can speak a universal language in its individuality,” shared French designer Peet Dullaert. “It’s an opportunity to show how couture can live beyond its traditional boundaries.”
4th Hong Kong Denim Festival — Denim Artistry
Organised by the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), this programme gets creative with the staging of denim’s allure by having fashion showcases, in-store collaborations, thematic exhibitions and cross-disciplinary partnerships directly connect local denim artisans with consumers and other businesses. Expect craftsmanship to shine alongside curated pairings of art and music.
“The exhibitions feature a distinctive fusion of heritage denim pieces and contemporary denim art from local collectors and international partners,” said Dr. Elita Lam, Principal of the Hong Kong Design Institute and Project Leader of the 4th Hong Kong Denim Festival. “This dialogue between past and present enriches the cultural depth of the event, promoting exchange among creatives and industry professionals while inspiring the public to experience denim as both an art form and a symbol of craftsmanship.”
PLAY, POSE & PIXEL Digital Fashion Exhibition
Digital fashion’s pillar sees Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) and the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM) coming together to present an interpretation of FabriX World’s acclaimed exhibition, which debuted at Paris Fashion Week in September. Augmented reality try-ons, 3D virtual fashion displays and other immersive technologies will allow visitors to dress nostalgic Hong Kong-style dolls in digital outfits, design their own avatars and explore personalised digital “dress-up” innovations.
“It allows us to demonstrate Hong Kong’s unique position as both a creative incubator and a business gateway, reaffirming its importance on the world stage while nurturing the next generation of designers, technologists, and dreamers,” shared Shin Wong, Creative Director of FabriX on the significance of being part of the festival.
Fashion to Reconnect: A Tale of Two Style Capitals
Sustainability in the fashion worlds of both Hong Kong and Italy collide in this joint programme curated by College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences of City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), CNMI, Fondazione Pistoletto Cittadellarte and sustainability-focused Guardini Ciuffreda Studio. Works by nine Hong Kong and 16 Italian designers come together in the form of art installations, thematic fashion exhibitions and conference sessions.
Prof. Alfred Tat-kei Ho, Dean of College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, and Prof. Esterina Nervino, Assistant Professor at City University of Hong Kong, believe that it is important to connect professionals across different sectors and stages of the fashion value chain. “As the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences promotes research on fashion through a cross-sectoral lens — emphasising collaboration with other creative industries and fostering cultural exchange — the Fashion Fest serves as a vital platform to realise this vision. It not only provides an opportunity to disseminate academic research and translate scholarly insights into public engagement, but also positions Hong Kong among the global fashion capitals by bringing together diverse stakeholders from the community,” they shared.
WWD x SJ Global Fashion & Business Conference and WWD Fashion Loves Culture Gala
Organised by the Hong Kong Fashion Council in partnership with Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) and Sourcing Journal (SJ), the conference and gala will spotlight innovation across fashion, business, and sustainability, while fostering meaningful dialogue between East and West — and why Hong Kong is the perfect meeting point to have these exchanges. Happens on 26 November.
Fashion Summit (HK) 2025
Presented by the Clothing Industry Training Authority (CITA), Fashion Summit (HK) 2025 this year includes a fashion exhibition, an international conference and runway show at the Hong Kong Palace Museum, exploring the artistry and innovation of sustainable fashion while highlighting Hong Kong’s uniquely traditional yet futuristic cultural make-up.
“I’m motivated by the opportunity to connect with the Hong Kong audience and share a vision for the future of sustainable fashion,” said participating British designer Jennifer Droguett. “This programme offers a space to exchange ideas with inspiring peers and celebrate how fashion can honour our heritage while shaping a more responsible and imaginative future in our industry.”
Fashion Asia Hong Kong
Organised by the Hong Kong Design Centre that saw much success last year, this programme refreshes its Fashion Challenges Forum and the 10 Asian Designers to Watch Exhibition with a new curation of global fashion leaders and emerging Asian designers.
“Creating community, collaboration and unity in a time where the world is segmenting off, I hope beauty and utility can bring us together,” shares participating costume designer Kit Wan of Kit Wan Studios. “HKDC has a long standing track-record of showcasing different creative points-of-view and perhaps I can offer inspiration to a young person who sees their contribution to the fashion industry, a bit different, like me.”
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