Every year, the Hong Kong Design Center spotlights ten exceptional Asian designers in an exhibition, hand-selected by a panel of distinguished judges across the fashion industry. Furthering its commitment to this initiative, Fashion Asia returned once again with its eighth edition that ran from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1.
This year’s Fashion Asia was organized by the Hong Kong Design Center (HKDC) and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), as a program of the Hong Kong Fashion Fest and presented by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Related Articles
Building on the success of this, Fashion Asia presented “A Showcase of Asian Design Excellence” for 2024 — an enhanced exhibition format that featured not only 2024’s winning designers but a selection of past winners, giving a sweeping overview of Asian design excellence. In collaboration with Clockenflap, the exhibition was a multifaceted sensory experience fusing together the worlds of fashion and music at the Central Harbourfront.
You May Also Like
Designers from previous editions of the exhibition participating this year include Chen Peng, Christian Stone, Feng Chen Wang, Louis Shengtao Chen, Pillings, Ponder.er, Pronounce, Reverie by Caroline Hú, Shuting Qiu and Windowsen.
The 2024 winners are Grace Ling, Juntae Kim, KWK by Kay Kwok, Markgong, Oude Waag, Raxxy, Ruohan, Setchu, Tanakadaisuke and Ya Yi. At a preview event held at the “Fashion Challenges Forum,” the ten designers showcased their signature looks and offered attendees a first look at their creative vision.
Notable judges who picked the rising stars from Asia in the fashion industry include Caroline Rush, chief executive of the British Fashion Council; Tasha Liu, co-founder of Labelhood; Kaoru Imago, fashion week division director at Japan Fashion Week; Kennis Chan, director of Fashion Asia; and Sophie Brocart, chief executive officer of Patou and mentoring director of the LVMH Prize.
Chan explained that through its judging process — made up of an esteemed panel of international judges — and collaborating with influential leaders, the prestigious fashion conference in Asia has created a powerful platform to elevate the work of emerging designers. “Fashion Asia’s notability stems from our commitment to building a strong brand identity and connecting emerging designers with industry leaders,” said Chan.
Here, Fairchild Studio spoke with all ten designers about their short-list selection for Fashion Asia’s “10 Designers to Watch” exhibition.
Fairchild Studio: What does it mean to you to be shortlisted for this year’s Fashion Asia’s “10 Designers to Watch” exhibition event?
Grace Ling: I am honored to be selected! There is such a huge pool of incredible talent in the whole of Asia and to be selected means a lot to me. It means that I am doing something right and relevant and it means that the platform allows me to show and push further innovation in fashion.
Juntae Kim: This is my first time being recognized by an Asia-based award, including Korea. I feel honored to be featured alongside such incredibly talented designers. On top of that, this will be my first visit to Hong Kong, so I’m very excited to immerse myself in the experience and take in all the inspiration this opportunity offers.
KWK by Kay Kwok: It’s an incredible honor to be recognized as one of the “10 Designers to Watch” by Fashion Asia. This acknowledgment is not just a milestone for me and my team but also a celebration of the experimental and forward-thinking approach that defines KWK by Kay Kwok. Being part of this prestigious platform allows us to connect with a wider global audience and showcase how technology, art and tradition can coexist in fashion. It’s both humbling and motivating to be recognized alongside other talented designers shaping the future of Asian fashion.
Markgong: I am honored to receive this award. Participating in this event is a way to express my gratitude for the recognition. It’s an opportunity to introduce more people to Markgong and understand the attitude that Markgong aims to convey. This is a great opportunity for the brand. I also hope that through this event, we can gain more market insights and engage in exchanges.
Oude Waag: It’s a great pleasure for me to be shortlisted — and a great chance to show and communicate our work to the international audience.
Raxxy: This is high recognition for the Raxxy brand. Hong Kong’s pivotal role in promoting Asian fashion design and creativity is undeniable. We are deeply honored to be invited to participate in such a grand event in the fashion industry here in Hong Kong.
Ruohan: Being shortlisted for Fashion Asia’s “10 Designers to Watch” is a significant recognition of the contribution of both the Ruohan brand and myself to the Asian fashion landscape. This accolade underscores the growing appreciation for our brand’s minimalist and timeless aesthetic within the region, while also acknowledging the strong connection we’ve fostered with our discerning clientele. The timing of this recognition is particularly noteworthy as it reflects our ongoing growth and reaffirms our deep-rooted presence in Asia. Such acknowledgments serve as a catalyst, inspiring us to continue crafting designs that transcend fleeting trends and embody a lifestyle of effortless spirit.
Setchu: Being shortlisted for Fashion Asia’s “10 Designers to Watch” is an incredible honor. It’s a recognition not only of the work we’ve done at Setchu but also of the unique perspective we bring to fashion by blending Eastern and Western influences. It means a great deal to be acknowledged by an event that highlights and celebrates Asian talent on a global scale. It’s both motivating and humbling and it fuels my desire to continue pushing boundaries and creating designs that resonate with a diverse audience.
Tanakadaisuke: This is my first time receiving such an opportunity on an international stage outside of Japan and I am truly grateful. I would be delighted if my expressions could reach not only Japan but also other parts of Asia.
Ya Yi: It is an honor to be shortlisted for this year’s Fashion Asia’s “10 Designers to Watch.” As a relatively new brand, it is a show of confidence in our vision and our work. It is particularly exciting to meet other Asian designers and hear about how they interpret fashion design and how they build their creative universes!