First Hong Kong Fashion Fest aims to put city on haute couture design map

The government-sponsored event is intended to help make Hong Kong a high-fashion hub, but industry insiders say much more needs to be done

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A model walks the runway at the Chanel Cruise 2024/25 show in Hong Kong, held in November 2024, a month that will also see the launch of the first Hong Kong Fashion Fest. Photo: Reuters

Annie Cheung

Published: 12:15pm, 17 Nov 2024Updated: 4:43pm, 19 Nov 2024

Corrected [10:40am, 19 Nov, 2024]

[10:40am, 19 Nov, 2024]
Kevin Yeung Yun-hung is not the chairman of the Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association. Its chairman is Kevin Yeung Kei-bun.

Is Hong Kong’s fashion design industry having a moment?

Hot on the heels of this month’s Chanel Cruise 2024/25 show at the Hong Kong Design Institute – attended by the likes of French model Caroline de Maigret and Spanish actress Penélope Cruz – the city is to host the first “Hong Kong Fashion Fest” from November 20 to December 4.

Sponsored by the city’s Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, part of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the new event, intended to be held annually, is focused on haute couture, or high-end fashion.

It sets out to consolidate existing fashion and textile design events to reaffirm “Hong Kong’s position as a prime destination for hosting major cultural and creative events”, says Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, the secretary for culture, sports and tourism .

Spanish actress Penélope Cruz at the Chanel Cruise 2024/25 show in Hong Kong. Photo: Reuters

Catwalk shows, exhibitions, seminars and masterclasses will be held across the city.