#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2025-04-10

Fashion InStyle unveils future materials at Asia's creative hub

The immense potential of Hong Kong's creative industries is being highlighted by the HKSAR Government, which is actively developing the sector as a new economic driver and working to position Hong Kong as Asia's creative hub. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is echoing this development direction by hosting seven large-scale events, spanning lifestyle products and licensing opportunities, that will further enhance the city's reputation as a creative hotspot.

Fashion InStyle launches the new NEXT@Fashion InStyle highlighted zone this year. Today’s press conference featured a fashion piece created by designer Kinyan Lam using Gambier Canton Silk, and another created by designer Arto Wong using Lotuxilk © 2025 HKTDC

The seven mega events include the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair, Home InStyle and Fashion InStyle (27-30 April at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, HKCEC); the Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair and DeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong (held concurrently at AsiaWorld-Expo, 27-30 April); and the Hong Kong International Licensing Show and Asian Licensing Conference (28-30 April at the HKCEC). The events will serve as a bridge connecting Hong Kong's creative industries with Mainland China and international markets while reinforcing the city’s positioning as a regional creative hub.

Speaking at a press conference held today to introduce the upcoming events, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Sophia Chong said: "This year's seven lifestyle and licensing mega events will be gathered in the final week of April. Beyond showcasing cultural creative designs and functional products from around the world, they will specifically address emerging market trends, including silver economy solutions and sustainable products and materials. The consolidated fair period provides buyers with a diverse one-stop sourcing opportunity while facilitating cross-industry and cross-sector business connections to generate synergies."

Ms Chong added that the seven exhibitions and conference are expected to attract some 6,000 exhibitors from over 30 countries and regions, including Mainland China and Hong Kong, as well as Australia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Thailand from the Asia-Pacific region, and Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the United States from the European and North American regions. Fashion InStyle will welcome first-time exhibitors from Austria and the UK, while the Printing & Packaging Fair will feature a new participant from Cambodia.

Innovative fashion materials converge at Fashion InStyle

The 2025 edition of Fashion InStyle sees the launch of NEXT@Fashion InStyle, a new highlighted zone organised by the HKTDC and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the HKSAR Government, bringing together some 60 global material suppliers to showcase advanced fashion materials. Five local designers have been specially invited to create fashion pieces using some of these innovative materials. Designer Han Chong, founder of the internationally acclaimed brand Self-Portrait, will serve as the ambassador and share insights on-site. Thailand is the Strategic Partner of NEXT@Fashion InStyle, powered by the Thailand Creative Culture Agency (THACCA) and National Soft Power Development Committee. They will bring some 30 Thai exhibitors showcasing fashion materials that blend Thai cultural heritage, sustainability and innovative technology.

EXHIBITION+ model extends business opportunities

The HKTDC will continue employing its EXHIBITION+ online-offline integrated model for the fairs, allowing exhibitors to leverage the AI-powered Click2Match business matching platform, hktdc.com Sourcing platform and the Intelligence Hub to extend physical exhibition interactions onto online platforms. Buyers can use the Scan2Match function in the HKTDC Marketplace App to scan exhibitor and product showcase QR codes, record favourite exhibitors, browse product information and make inquiries, allowing discussions to continue online during and after the exhibition. Starting this month, the online promotion period for exhibitors will be extended to one year. For convenience, buyers can register on the HKTDC Marketplace App and download free eBadges for direct venue entry.

Collaboration between film director and four local designers boosts interdisciplinary interplay in Hong Kong

The Fashion Hong Kong Runway Show rounded off the first day of CENTRESTAGE, the annual Asian fashion extravaganza, last night (4 September). Building on the previous year's fusion of fashion and ballet, this year's event took interdisciplinary collaboration one step further, enlisting Weeds of Fire director Steve Chan to narrate the latest collections of four Hong Kong fashion brands – ANGUS TSUI, röyksopp gakkai, selfFab. and Z I D I – through cinematic storytelling, inviting the audience to explore the fashion realm from a new perspective.

Fashion extravaganza CENTRESTAGE returns in September

CENTRESTAGE, the annual fashion extravaganza organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), will showcase a rich tapestry of style from 4 to 7 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event will feature a plethora of fashion shows, parades and seminars led by industry heavyweights, with attendees able to gain insights into the latest industry trends and cutting-edge designs, as well as explore business opportunities.

Fashion for Good launches DW(O)R-X to navigate the emerging landscape of PFAS-free finishes

Fashion for Good announced the launch of Project DW(O)R-X, a collaborative initiative designed to benchmark PFAS alternative durable water- and oil-repellent (DW(O)R) chemistries. Responding to growing market demand for alternatives to PFAS‑based finishes, the project aims to generate reliable, comparable data that can support informed sourcing decisions and the assessment of emerging chemistries.

C&S strengthens its governance to support its evolution

C&S announces the appointment of Marco Lucietti to its Board of Directors. With extensive international experience across the textile and denim industries, Lucietti will work alongside CEO Federico Corneli, contributing to the company’s managerial development, organizational structure and long-term strategic direction.

Carrington Textiles publishes third Sustainability Report

Carrington Textiles has announced the publication of the third Sustainability Report from the RTS Textiles Group, highlighting another year of progress towards more responsible manufacturing across its global operations. The report outlines continued investment in technologies and initiatives designed to improve environmental performance and support long-term business resilience across the Group’s manufacturing facilities in the UK, Portugal and Pakistan.

YKK develops concept EXCELLA® zipper tape using nonwoven fabric partially derived from used clothing

YKK Corporation has developed a concept version of its premium EXCELLA® zipper series made from nonwoven fabric sheets created by fiberizing used clothing and other textile materials. Based on a proposal by fashion designer Yuima Nakazato, this item was created as a result of collaboration between Nakazato, Seiko Epson Corporation and YKK. The concept zipper was incorporated as a material component for pieces in the newest YUIMA NAKAZATO Couture Collection, “INFERNO,” which was unveiled in Paris, France on July 8, 2026.

PERFORMANCE DAYS announces new focus topic & forums for October 2026

With its upcoming October 13–14, 2026 edition, PERFORMANCE DAYS is placing the spotlight on one of the textile industry’s most important transformations: “Bio-Based Materials – From Fiber to Fabric”, a two-part Focus Topic exploring the future of bio-based innovation across the textile value chain. Part 1, presented in October 2026, will focus on fibers and next-generation material developments, while Part 2 at the March 2027 edition will shift the perspective toward dyeing, finishing, additives, and processing technologies.

Febratex 2026 to be the largest edition of the leading textile trade fair in the Americas with 10 exhibition halls

Febratex 2026 will be the largest edition in the history of the leading textile trade fair in the Americas. Dedicated to the textile and apparel manufacturing industries, the event will take place from August 18–21, 2026, in Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil, with a strong focus on technology, sustainability, and business generation.

Cotton Brazil Dialogues field trip brings international stakeholders closer to Brazil’s cotton production chain

How do you build trust across the global textile value chain? By opening the farm gates. This is the principle behind the Cotton Brazil Dialogues. At the end of July, the programme welcomed its first group of international participants for a five-day immersion into Brazilian cotton production, combining field visits with technical workshops to showcase the quality, sustainability, innovation and traceability behind one of the world’s leading cotton origins.