Hong Kong CENTRESTAGE 2019 Elite Brand Collections, China

The 4th edition of CENTRESTAGE, features some 240 brands and more than 40 fashion events, over 20 fashion shows are held at the event, including the opening gala fashion show CENTRESTAGE ELITES and Fashion Hong Kong Runway Show. Many brand launched their latest collections on stage. The show offering an ideal platform for fashion brands and designers to gain international exposure, and helping to reinforce Hong Kong’s position as a leading fashion hub in the region.

CENTRESTAGE 2019 have “Future Tribes” as its central theme. The event feature three thematic zones: ALLURE – representing craftsmanship, refinement and elegance; ICONIC – displaying avant-garde designs; and METRO – showcasing contemporary, minimalistic expressions of urban life. This year’s show will feature some 240 fashion brands, including more than 80 local brands along with international labels from Mainland China, France, Italy, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, the United States and more. Thirty-six buying missions comprising about 1,600 international fashion buyers have been organised to visit the event, providing opportunities for designers to interact with the industry and get useful market insights.

CENTRESTAGE launched its annual fashion extravaganza om 4 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The exclusive CENTRESTAGE ELITES opening event brought together renowned Hong Kong designer Anais Mak and her brand ANAÏS JOURDEN, and New York-based Joseph Altuzarra and his brand ALTUZARRA, in a joint fashion show featuring their pre-spring 2020 collections.

Brands reveal their latest collections through fashion shows and presentations at CENTRESTAGE, an ideal promotion and launch platform for international fashion brands and designers. Three new local brands, including Charlotte Ng Studio, Fake Fan and SFZ & SON participating in the FASHIONALLY Presentation.

Fashion Summit (HK) and a series of seminars are held during the fair, exploring issues including the sustainable development of the fashion industry, and technological impacts on the industry, attracting many industry players. Meet the Visionaries seminars feature some international fashion designers.

Redress Design Award, the world’s largest sustainable fashion design competition, and the Knitwear Symphony 2019 and the ninth Hong Kong Young Knitwear Designers’ Contest, organised by the Knitwear Innovation and Design Society, are held during the event to nurture more budding talents.

Hong Kong in Fashion features over 90 fashion events beyond the CENTRESTAGE fairground, collaborating with more than 90 Hong Kong fashion boutiques, restaurants, hotels and cultural landmarks to generate “fashion heat” across the city. The campaign runs through 30 September.

Anais Mak
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Anais Mak founded the acclaimed ANAÏS JOURDEN label in 2012 and has dazzled the global fashion stage ever since. Anais studied fashion design at Studio Berçot in Paris, where European culture combined with the neon-lit memories of her hometown to spark a bold new vision without borders.

ANAÏS JOURDEN is defined by a subtly subverted take on formal femininity, channelling controlled volumes and fabric experimentation to unleash a wave of retrospective affirmation. Inspired by Anais’ well-disciplined childhood in Hong Kong, timeless formalwear and the elegance of yesteryear are fundamental pillars of the label’s distinctive silhouette. Anais’ total command of texture and juxtaposition harmonises feminine aspiration with traditional techniques, expressing the spirit and preferences of the modern woman. Through the creative and sometimes unexpected use of embroidery, smocking, ruffles, gatherings and pleating, Anais crafts unique textures that inspire new contextual perspectives. Melding artisanal craftsmanship with industrial techniques, ANAÏS JOURDEN is about a casual attitude, a statement of intent and the promise of contemporary grace, delivering a graphic punch to generic femininity. The brand was built on the notion that dressing up is more about twisting the classic feminine look, rather than breaking it down entirely.

Going from strength to strength with every passing season, ANAÏS JOURDEN was the only Hong Kong-based womenswear label to be featured on Paris Fashion Week’s AW18 calendar, after earning a coveted selection by The Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode. Anais has garnered widespread acclaim including being named the winner of Vogue Italia’s “Who is on Next” in 2015, a semi-finalist in the LVMH Prize 2015, and on Forbes’ “30 under 30” list in 2017. ANAÏS JOURDEN can be found at premier international retailers such as Galleries Lafayette Beijing, ikram, JOYCE, Lane Crawford, Neiman Marcus and Shopbop.

Joseph Altuzarra
Diverse interests and multicultural perspectives influence the work of every designer, but for Joseph Altuzarra, they represent the foundation of his highly acclaimed craft. Born and raised in Paris, Joseph Altuzarra is one of fashion’s greatest talents. His eponymous label, ALTUZARRA, is a luxury women’s ready-to-wear and accessories brand that reflects his French, American and Chinese background, along with his palpable passion for film, literature, fine art and facets of world culture. Driven by the transformative power of fashion from a young age, Joseph channelled his first love into a powerfully bold womenswear line that breathes allure and elegance in every collection.

After graduating from Swarthmore College with a degree in Art History, Joseph launched himself into the world of fashion with apprenticeships at Marc Jacobs and Proenza Schouler, before working with master pattern maker Nicholas Caïto to hone his technical skills. He later became Riccardo Tisci’s first assistant at Givenchy in Paris, before launching his New York-based label ALTUZARRA in 2008.

Joseph’s vision unveils a modern wardrobe for women to feel confident and sexy in their everyday lives, defined by polished technique, alluring femininity, touches of the avant-garde and unapologetic sexiness. The ALTUZARRA woman exudes confidence and control, seduction and sophistication, collecting memories, objects and inspirations from the fascinating palette of life. ALTUZARRA has since become a wardrobe and red carpet staple for confident women around the world including Beyoncé, Emma Stone, Jennifer Lawrence, Michelle Obama, Nicole Kidman and Rihanna, just to name a few.

Season after season, Joseph has received numerous accolades including the Council of Fashion Designers America (CFDA)/Vogue Fashion Fund Winner, Forbes’ “30 Under 30”, the Swarovski Award for Womenswear Design, the International Woolmark Prize, as well as Business of Fashion’s “BoF 500” for five years running. Joseph was honoured by the CFDA as its Womenswear Designer of the Year in 2014, and the Accessories Council’s Designer of the Year in 2017. In 2018, he was crowned as Designer of the Year at the American Image Awards.

Young Fashion Designers’ Contest 2019
This year’s YDC saw a total of three promising local designers awarded out of a pool of 16. Champion Wilson Yip received a monetary reward together with a one-month internship working in the studio of respected Japanese fashion designer Mihara Yasuhiro, sponsored by Sun Hing Knitting Factory Ltd.

The judging panel for this year’s YDC was made up of an impressive roster of fashion experts and media pundits. Chief Judge was Lawrence Leung, Chairman of the HKTDC Garment Advisory Committee, while Mihara Yasuhiro, famous Japanese fashion designer and owner of his own eponymous label, was VIP Judge. The other seats on the panel were taken by Michael Mok, General Merchandising Manager/Head of Merchandising at JOYCE; Jonathan Lee, Senior Area Manager (Asia) of Tomorrow Ltd; Peter Wong, Editorial Director of Vogue Hong Kong; Styling and Art Director Declan Chan; and Virginia Chan, Head of Footwear at i.t apparels Limited.

The judges assessed the young designers’ works based on creativity, originality, market potential, craftsmanship, use of fabrics and overall aesthetics, and offered expert feedback to each of the participants. VIP Judge Mihara Yasuhiro had particular praise for the winning piece, saying that Champion Wilson Yip “managed to paint fashion over the backdrop of everyday life, using elements of daily wear and injecting them with novelty and creativity”.

Designer: Wilson Yip, Design: “Forgetful Still”
Champion and Best Footwear Design Award
The designer has created a collection that addresses his own forgetfulness, which he refers to as an aesthetic of absentmindedness, and the structure of the clothing has been redesigned down to the smallest details. The oversized silhouettes and spray-dyed effect denote clumsiness, but the belt in each outfit allows for a smarter look if desired. The collars and hoods of the jackets are detachable, while buttonholes can be used to attach different accessories. The trousers are especially feature-rich, with details such as multiple pockets, exposed seams and lining, and magnetic buttons that automatically snap into place to avoid the embarrassment of the open fly.

Designer: Louis Chow, Design: “Already But Not Yet”
First Runner-up
This menswear collection explores the process of design by blurring the boundaries between a finished work and an unfinished garment, inside and outside, front and back. Louis takes familiar silhouettes and adds in new twists, like a blazer with shoulders that expose the lining, attached with a quilted houndstooth scarf. A deconstructed trench coat uses interfacing materials with hand-stitched plaid patterns, while a two-way quilted coat/cape is also made from interfacing fabrics with quilted houndstooth patterns. The trousers feature asymmetrical hems that again highlight the inside-out aesthetic.

Designer: Enzo Chan, Design: “SINCE 1996”
Second Runner-up and New Talent Award
Enzo Chan was born in 1996, and this menswear collection is filled with memories that symbolise his life journey so far. Personal photographs with friends and family are digitally enhanced and turned into embroidery on T-shirts and jackets, and loaded with details both inside and out. The level of care and their prominence show the value of memories for the designer. The oversized silhouettes, multiple layers and subdued grey tones reflect Enzo’s personal style, while the addition of pink is an attempt to inject a sense of youth and vitality. The mix of fabrics is equally diverse, with suiting fabrics, knits and corduroy creating strong textural contrasts.

14 previous YDC designer brands: 112 mountainyam, ARTO.,Charlotte Ng Studio, DEMO, Fake Fan, FromClothingOf, HARRISON WONG, From Another Planet, KEVIN HO, Lapeewee, NECRO POON, S.F.Z. & Son, YEUNG CHIN and YMDH returned to the YDC stage on Saturday to present a special MINI x YDC fashion show. THE NEW MINI CLUBMAN also made its first launch in Hong Kong at this spectacular event to showcase the elegance and creativity shared among both the car and fashion designs.

In addition, from 13 September to 8 October, MINI run the MINI x YDC Anniversary Collection Exhibition at MINI Tsuen Wan showroom and the YDC 2019 Winning Collection Exhibition at the MINI Wan Chai showroom for the public to take a closer look at the skills of the YDC designers.

The YDC has been organised by the HKTDC for more than four decades with the objective of nurturing and promoting young fashion talents. To further promote the international visibility of local Hong Kong designers, in 2012 the HKTDC launched FASHIONALLY.com, an online platform that showcases the work of local labels and talents to link them with global industry insiders and opportunities.

Hong Kong CENTRESTAGE 2019
CENTRESTAGE is Asia’s premier fashion event, offering a promotion platform for fashion brands and designers to showcase their talent. Events such fashion shows, designer sharing sessions, open talks, trend analyses and networking opportunities, with the objective of connecting local brands with the global fashion industry.

The Hong Kong CENTRESTAGE showcase of high-calibre local and overseas fashion talents, and exciting, engaging events was held during the show period. It has created a fashion extravaganza that enables brands to overcome geographical and time limitations to showcase their latest designs to buyers and fashionistas.

CENTRESTAGE to provide a comprehensive promotional platform through which Asian fashion brands and budding designers can launch and present their latest fashion collections and connect with global buyers and fashionistas at the same time. A greater number of local and international fashion brands participating at this year’s CENTRESTAGE, underscoring the event’s position as Asia’s leading launch and marketing platform for fashion brands and highlighting its ability to create diverse business opportunities.

HKTDC
Established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body dedicated to creating opportunities for Hong Kong’s businesses. With more than 40 offices globally, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China, Asia and the world. With 50 years of experience, the HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in international markets, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels including the media room.