UK's International Trade Department stages Festival of Innovations in Hong Kong - March 21-24 2018

If someone says to you that the world is now run by Asia, you have little reason to doubt it.  After the Winter Olympic Games in PyeongCheng, Korea, the next Summer Olympics will take place in Tokyo, Japan, followed by the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China.

Hong Kong's iconic shoreline and picturesque harbour. 
Fashion, textiles and footwear are top exports for the UK with Hong Kong and China in the top 20 destinations buying UK goods.  The fashion industry is worth over £28 billion to the UK economy.
Photo © Lucia Carpio 2018

In the world of luxury fashion, one of China’s biggest textile firms Shandong Ruyi Investment Holding recently snapped up leather brand Bally to add on to its stable of luxury fashion brands (including SMCP and Aquascutum) and add impetus to its plan for  accelerate global growth.  Then there came the news that the bidding contest for French fashion brand Lanvin was won by Fosun International, a Chinese group controlled by Shanghai billionaire Guo Guangchang with interests in insurance, trading and many other businesses including French holiday operator Club Med and knitwear band St. John in the United States.

Hong Kong the port of call for UK's Department of International Trade in March 21 - 24, 2018.
Photo © Lucia Carpio 2018

Now amidst its ongoing Brexit saga, and its government’s insistence of great opportunity for trade deals outside the EU market, UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT) announced that its new project: “Great Festival Of Innovations” will take place in Hong Kong on 21-24 March.

It will enable the sharing of innovations that will drive the future of free trade and build life-long partnerships, according to the DIT, and delegates will learn how the worlds of fashion, luxury goods and retailing are set to change for consumers in the future.

The festival is designed as an opportunity to showcase the UK as one of the world’s best places to visit, study, invest in and do business, said DIT, offering a series of thought-provoking and lively keynotes, masterclasses, showcases, installations and performances over four days, involving industry leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, educationalists, futurologists to an audience from the UK, Hong Kong, China, Japan, South Korea and wider region.

Fashion and retailing sessions announced so far include Fashion Through the Looking Glass, examining how digital influencers are transforming the style and beauty industries; New Destinations: Culture and Commerce, exploring how arts organisations and retailers will draw in visitors in the future; and Beyond Luxury, a look at the switch from exclusive branded product towards authentic experience.

Minister of State for Trade and Export Promotion, Baroness Fairhead said: “DIT is helping the best of British fashion brands showcase their top quality items to growing markets around the world.

“Exports of fashion goods grew 6% last year and, as an international economic department, we are now expanding support for UK designers through the Exporting is GREAT campaign and our network of international advisers.”

For full information if interested in participating, click HERE.