HONG KONG :  Supported by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), five leading Hong Kong fashion designers participated in this week’s celebrated Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week TOKYO 2016 Spring/Summer. A full-house attendance of over 330 buyers, media and fashionistas from Tokyo attended with about 100 more watching the live broadcast outside the show hall. Tokyo Fashion Week is one of the international fashion events throughout the year where the HKTDC organises Hong Kong designers to participate.

While the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week TOKYO 2016 Spring/Summer is still taking place at the official show venue – Shibuya Hikarie in the bustling heart of Tokyo, the “Fashion Hong Kong” group show stole the limelight, grabbing the attention of fashionistas and industry players alike. The show highlights and photos were uploaded on various social media channels by the show attendees and media, many of whom commented that the show was stunning and refreshing, demonstrating the versatility of Hong Kong fashion designs. FashionSnap.com, the top online fashion platform of Japan also ran a front-page feature story on the show.

The participating designers were Lulu Cheung, Chailie Ho, Polly Ho, Kathy Lam and KOYO William. They received overwhelming support from both the local and international fashion communities, and the show went viral on various social media channels.

Apart from staging the “Fashion Hong Kong” group show (14 October), a “Fashion Gallery” Pop-up Showroom was also set up (15 October) to facilitate networking and business opportunities. Over 260 buyers, media and fashionistas visited the “Fashion Gallery”. The designers’ showpieces and their sources of inspirations, such as music, movies, paintings, space travel and nature scenes were showcased. This novel Pop-up Showroom format came with “crossover” elements between fashion, art and tastes, providing another occasion for in-depth exchange and networking.

The participating fashion designers are keen to develop long-term links with the Japanese fashion market. Following the visit to PARCO’s company office and store (13 October) and Fashion Gallery (15 October), the HKTDC will further arrange a Joint Exhibition together with business matching activities on 20 to 22 October at the fashion hub, Daikanyama Hillside Terrace. This aims to connect Hong Kong fashion brands with important local buyers such as large department stores, international retailers.

The HKTDC helps Hong Kong industries such as the fashion industry by creating marketing opportunities. In addition to Tokyo Fashion Week, the HKTDC will join hands with designers to explore other fashion markets, such as taking part at Copenhagen Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week, as next stops overseas. In Hong Kong, the HKTDC’s Hong Kong Fashion Week Fall/Winter will take place in January 2016. Hong Kong Fashion Week Spring/Summer will be held in July 2016 and Centrestage will be held in September next year.