CENTRESTAGE 2026 opened on September 2 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), bringing together approximately 270 international fashion brands from 24 countries and regions—the largest brand participation in the event’s 11-year history.
Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and sponsored by Hong Kong’s Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the four-day event runs until September 5, 2026. It features more than 40 fashion events, including a record programme of over 30 runway shows.
The exhibition is open free of charge to trade buyers and members of the public, positioning CENTRESTAGE as both an industry sourcing platform and a wider showcase for fashion, design and creative culture.
Record international participation at CENTRESTAGE
According to the HKTDC’s official opening announcement, this year’s exhibitor line-up includes established labels, independent designers and emerging brands from across Asia, Europe and other international markets.
Austria, Colombia, the Faroe Islands, Malaysia, Slovakia and the United Arab Emirates are making their first appearances at the fair. Overseas brands are represented through 11 international and regional pavilions, expanding the range of collections available to buyers.
Korea is the Featured Partner for the first time and has established its largest-ever CENTRESTAGE pavilion. The participation includes 12 Seoul designer brands presented with support from KOTRA, HISEOUL SHOWROOM and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Hong Kong.
The Gyeonggi Fashion Creative Studio is presenting another 10 Korean brands. A dedicated runway show, “SEOUListic: The Future is Sustainable,” will place Korean design and sustainability in focus on September 4.
Other international groups include an Austrian pavilion featuring seven brands, a Canadian delegation focused on female-founded labels and a Thai pavilion presenting 14 brands. Pavilions from the Chinese mainland, Macao, Australia and Slovakia further broaden the fair’s sourcing coverage.
New zones expand the fashion sourcing mix
The official CENTRESTAGE preview identifies seven thematic zones covering different segments of fashion, accessories and design.
A new Hype² pavilion focuses on Hong Kong streetwear brands created or led by celebrities and key opinion leaders. Participating labels include Claro, OGIS, PICK AND MATCH, ROSEMA.ESE X Jaime Cheung and XPX. Around 30 limited-edition and debut products are being introduced during the fair, with more than 10 streetwear brands scheduled to participate in the Hype² runway show.
CENTRESTAGE has also introduced a dedicated Perfume zone, reflecting the increasing overlap between fashion, beauty and lifestyle retail. More than 20 fragrance brands from Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam are making their Hong Kong retail debuts, alongside established local labels.
The other exhibition areas cover accessories, craftsmanship, contemporary fashion, urban apparel, athleisure and circular fashion. Buyers can explore products ranging from jewellery, home-grown streetwear and designer accessories to garments created with upcycled textiles and 3D-printing technology.
Runway programme highlights designers and new talent
The event’s runway schedule combines internationally active designers with emerging fashion talent.
The opening-night CENTRESTAGE ELITES show features KIT WAN STUDIOS, led by Hong Kong-born creative director and visual artist Kit Wan. More than 30 new looks from the studio’s “MUTANT // MYTHOLOGY” collection are scheduled to debut.
The Fashion Hong Kong Runway Show follows on September 3 under the theme “Hong Kong Dopamine.” It presents collections from four Hong Kong brands: 112 mountainyam, ANGUS TSUI, ARTY and Z I D I.
Emerging designers are also represented through FASHIONALLY Collection #26, presentations by young labels and several industry competitions. The programme concludes on September 5 with the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers’ Contest 2026, where 10 shortlisted designers will compete across four award categories. Public voting for the My Favourite Collection award is available through the official FASHIONALLY voting page.
The event programme also includes discussions on sustainable fashion, circular production and fashion technology, helping connect creative showcases with commercial and technical developments affecting the industry.
Part of the wider Hong Kong Fashion Fest
CENTRESTAGE is a flagship programme of the third Hong Kong Fashion Fest, which runs from September 1–14 under the theme “Rhythm of the Heart.” The citywide programme brings together eight flagship initiatives organized by six industry bodies.
For buyers, CENTRESTAGE is intended to provide access to Asian and international labels while helping participating brands establish connections with retailers and distribution partners. HKTDC has invited buyers from companies including 10 Corso Como, Dover Street Market London, Selfridges, Dongliang and B1OCK.
The event is being held concurrently with the HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and Salon de TIME, which run from September 1–5. The overlapping schedules allow visiting buyers to explore fashion, accessories and timepieces during one trip to HKCEC.
Source: Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Hong Kong Fashion Fest and the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
