Is Hong Kong Fashion Week FINALLY getting trendy?

Hong Kong Fashion Week (HKFW) has long been criticised for its lack of actual fashion. But in recent years there seems to have been a shift in a slightly more stylish direction. Coconuts’ trendsetter Charlie Tamoto finds out what’s changed and who to look out for at this year’s event. 
HKFW, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, was originally created as an attempt to match Mainland manufacturing exhibitors and trading groups with buyers interested in mass quantity blanks – like white t-shirts – at the lowest cost possible. Ins

In terms of stimulating business and the economy, HKTDC has accomplished its goal. However, it sorely fell short on the fashion front and, for the longest time, it got away with it.

Then enters The HUB, a fashion trade show that brings international and local designers together with buyers from hip boutiques across the world. In the face of this new competition, HKFW – which culminates this Thursday at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre – is desperately trying to rebrand itself to stay relevant.


Angelica Ma

For a few years now organisers have been frantically promoting the “World Boutique” section, which highlights celebrated designers from Europe, the United States and Asia. This year, there will be 30 live fashion shows at the World Boutique and a record-breaking number of 660 brands exhibiting. And on Thursday (Jan. 22), it will open to the public for one-off purchasing opportunities.

The 2015 show will also feature Eri and Phillip Chu of wildly successful local brand Ground Zero, along with Loris Diran from New York City, Lars Wallin from Sweden and Wang Yutao from Beijing.


Ground Zero

Although HKFW still has a long way to go in terms of catching up with London, New York and Paris Fashion Week, we do see some green shoots of hopeful change.

What HKFW does do well every year, however, is the Young Fashion Designers’ Contest (YDC). The YDC allows our city’s best and brightest fashion talents to showcase their collections and compete to win HKD35,000 and a one-month internship at Sweden’s H&M’s headquarters.

It’s probably the most exciting show at HKFW because it reflects the ever-evolving fashion landscape of Hong Kong and our future sartorial influencers.

Here are a few young hopefuls out of the 16 finalists that we think are worth paying attention to:

Michelle Yeung
Collection: Inside the Caves


 

Yeung wants her women to look whimsical and edgy at the same time, like a rock-and-roll fairy or a cracked out pixie. She’d paid meticulous attention to her show-topper piece, which features hundreds of hand-stitched beads that form together like white crystal rock candy. In the middle of the dress is a contrasting sheer plunge-line that gives that added sex appeal.


Kevin Ho
Collection: The Crossing

Geometry is the keyword for Ho’s striking, who-run-the-world-girls collection. The interlocking, hand-sewn grosgrain ribbon strips on the crimson organza dress are mesmerising and display impeccable craftsmanship. The broad shoulders and synched waist reference hard plated armour, suitable for the formidable modern woman that no-one would want to cross.


 

Kitty Wong
Collection: Delicate Craft

Wong thinks in dimensions, and fearlessly creates swirls and twirls around her pieces for a whirlwind of fun. Throughout her collection Wong utilises a 3D printer to construct a high-tech, black-lace effect fastened to her hand-stitched skirts. Although she’s still in her final year at PolyU, her work has already been exhibited at Lane Crawford, and HK celebs have been more than eager to try on her designs.


Tong Ka-lam
Collection: A knot of…

Tong likes to play with structure, sculpture and graphic prints. There is definitely a contemporary vibe emitting from this collection with the clear juxtaposition of hard and soft elements. The blue coat, which took three weeks to weave together, provides a fully detailed and hefty pairing to the flowing dress for an elegant, boho-chic look.


Tsang Fan-yu
Collection: Yon

Representing menswear, Tsang offers up a samurai street look for a guy that might just take to the air like a ninja. It’s all about looking hood and swag these days, so this tunic – detailed with a backpack strap belt, paired with wide-leg pants and white kicks – ticks off all the boxes for today’s style conscious fashionisto.



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