Year of the Pig celebrations in Hong Kong

Hong Kong welcomes  the Year of the Pig with a colourful parade featuring festive floats and various performing groups representing local and the Mainland as well as other parts of the world, including  world-class performers and world record holders, according to organisers at the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB)

Photo: Hong Kong Tourism Board

The 2019 Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade was staged on 5 February (the first day of the Year of the Pig) in the popular shopping district of Tsim Sha Tsui.

Themed ‘Best Fortune. World Party.’, the parade featured 34 floats and performing troupes from over 11 countries and regions. It consisted of a number of world-renowned performing teams and world record holders, including Junior New System from the Philippines, which gained fame in the American talent show “America’s Got Talent”, Face Team Acrobatic Korfball from Hungary, which holds 10 Guinness records, Hiplet Ballerinas from the US, whose videos have achieved overwhelming popularity on social media platforms, and multi-award-winning Austrian acrobatic troupe The Freaks Acrobatic Show.

Hong Kong Shines Brilliantly for its festival of Light!

While Paris, which is normally referred to as City of Lights, is burning and under sieged by protesters and rioters (and how will this be resolved, Monsieur Macron?), Hong Kong can easily take over the banner as it celebrates its brilliant Light Festival.

The lit-up skyline and city scape with Christmas lights turn this city and its beautiful harbour into a jewel box.  Feast your eyes on these photos captured while Content Editor Lucia Carpio was crossing on the Star Ferry from Central in Hong Kong Island towards the Kowloon Peninsula and the Tsim Sha Tsui district.  You may need to put your shades on.

All photos © Lucia Carpio 2018

Hong Kong's Winter Sky lit up for its first Pulse Light Festival

There is no better time to visit Hong Kong than this winter, so says the Hong Kong tourism authorities.  And  so here I am just when the temperature starts to drop, dipping ever so slightly from mid-20s to the high-teens.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is launching the inaugural Hong Kong Pulse Light Festival 2018, running between 29 November 2018 and 24 February 2019, covering the Christmas season, New Year and Lunar New Year celebrations.

The first Hong Kong Pulse Light Festival turns the city harbourfront 

into a playground of luminous artworks.  Photo from the Hong Kong Tourist Board.

It is billed to be the largest open-air light festival in this vibrant cosmopolitan city.  From the enhancement of “A Symphony of Lights” light-and-music show featuring more skyscrapers and special effects, to brilliantly lit installations by artists from  11 countries including France, Italy, Japan, Israel, Singapore, Hungary, the US and India, along with four createdby Hong Kong designers.  

The HK$23 million (USD2.939 m) festival is expected to draw about 500,000 visitors to the Central district harbourfront, according to organisers at the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB)  

If you are able to come to this amazing city this winter, you will be treated to a list of visually enriching events:- 

Winter Wonderland

A total of 18 art installations by artists from around the world will be on display along the beautiful Victoria Harbour.   

The creative luminescent displays offer a futuristic interactive experience in addition to Instagram-worthy photo opportunities, including: The brilliant cephalic illustration “Talking Heads” by Viktor Vicsek from Hungary will come to life via animated facial expressions that change colours at night. Interactive light bicycles “Lightbattle X” by VENIVIDIMULTIPLEX from the Netherlands will be on display for spectators to immerse themselves in a competitive and warm-spirited racing game; whereas the premiere exhibition of “Bat and Coin” by the Daydreamers from Hong Kong turns the traditional pawnshop sign into a larger-than-life illuminated silhouette. 

Bright Skies Ahead 

Dubbed as the one of the world’s most spectacular light shows, “A Symphony of Lights” is a nightly light show along Victoria Harbour for this Christmas and New Year. The additional skyscrapers participating in the coordinated production and pyrotechnics from building rooftops adding highlights to the show on selected evenings will usher in the holiday season.  

A Tale of Two Trees 

A 25-metre-tall artistic reinterpretation of the traditional Christmas tree will be installed adjacent to the Observation Wheel. The “XTree” by France’s 1024 Architecture is made with lit-up metallic scaffoldings that represent branches, and augmented by strategically placed light decorations that dance to a matching soundtrack.  Hong Kong’s Christmas atmosphere is further enhanced by the much-anticipated iconic Christmas Tree at Statue Square, enticing visitors with its sparkling festive display.

Along with a range of magical winter celebration activities taking place at key attractions across the city, festive seasonal events and night tours, these festivities promise to spice up visitors’ holiday season with an unforgettable visual voyage in Hong Kong. 

Hong Kong Pulse Light Festival Event Information 

Key Activities	Date & Time	Location
International Light Art Display	29 November 2018 – 24 February 2019 Lights on at 5:00pm – 11:00pm daily (except on 29 November 2018 - 7:45pm – 11:00pm)	Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section)
A Symphony of Lights	Enhanced version from 29 November 2018 onwards, 8:00pm – 8:10pm daily Pyrotechnic display on 29 November, 1, 8, 12, 15, 22, 29 December 2018	Best vantage location in Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and night cruise tours
Christmas Tree	29 November 2018 – 1 January 2019 Lights on at 5:00pm – 11:00pm daily (except on 29 November 2018 - 7:45pm – 11:00pm)	Near Hong Kong Observation Wheel
Iconic Christmas Tree	29 November 2018 – 1 January 2019	North Statue Square, Central

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.

Two spectacular light shows over Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour this December

Hong Kong’s famous picturesque Victoria Harbour with its magnificent skyline is set to be even more spectacular this December with the staging of two light shows – the new version of the internationally acclaimed nightly multi-media A Symphony of Light and the winter version of the Hong Kong Pulse Light Show – from 1st to 28th December 2017. 

Hong Kong skyline by night as viewed from Kowloon.

The two extravaganzas, best viewed from the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront in the Kowloon side, will brighten up Hong Kong’s Christmas atmosphere with dynamic lighting effects and the illusion of an wintry setting at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

The new version of A Symphony of Lights features dynamic rays of light sent out in rhythm from 40 buildings and locations on both sides of the Victoria Harbour. The new show incorporates a variety of exciting lighting effects such as coloured searchlights, lasers, and all-new beam lights sent out like a special fan-shaped lighting effect from the roof of the Central Government Offices and the Revenue Tower. Ten LED panels on a number of harbourside buildings are for the first time joining the multi-media show, displaying images and messages to encourage audience participation. 

The show is complemented by music from Asia’s leading classical orchestra the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, providing visitors with a thrilling and unforgettable sound-and-light experience. The 10-minute show begins at 8pm every evening. 

This is immediately followed by the winter version of Hong Kong Pulse Light Show - an 8-minute performance -   at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.  The 3D projection show begins with a snowstorm which covers the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in snow and ice and blows away the numbers on the Clock Tower, stopping time just before Christmas arrives. 

An ingenious dragon then sets out to find the missing numbers which are scattered across Hong Kong landmarks. The dragon eventually finds them and restarts time to save Christmas. During the show, the piazza is decorated with snowing effect along with glowing LED balls and a giant crystal ball. 

Photos © Lucia Carpio 2017

Tom Dixon opens flagship shop in Hong Kong

The historic Hollywood Road in Hong Kong's trendy Soho where antique shops have traded high quality Chinese antiques for more than a hundred years - is now also the new retail home of the iconic British product design brand Tom Dixon, which opened its first standalone shop in South East Asia this week.

The duplex store takes a prime location on the island close to the dynamic city's business and commercial Central district, and houses the brand’s latest furniture, lighting designs and home accessories.

“With an acceleration of interest for our work in this region, 52 Hollywood Road emerges as the new epicentre of our latest expansion in Asia. The two-storey showroom showcases a curated collection of our core products where charred timber cladding and grey marble fixtures complement the concrete floor and walls, and serve as a fitting backdrop to our metallic tones of copper, brass and chrome,”   according to the designer Tom Dixon.

The ground floor of the Tom Dixon flagship offers a veritable Aladdin’s cave of home accessories. From bold table-top architecture to the scent of London itself, the copper cave houses a cabinet of Tom Dixon curiosities. Designed to engage and encourage interaction, shoppers are also invited to explore the versatility of the collections through a plug and play lighting track and the designers tool box engineered to demonstrate finishes, colour and fabric options.

The café, operated by Nodi, offers a selection of artisanal coffee, small snacks and the perfect meeting place for Hong Kong's affluent set and design enthusiasts to slow down and soak in the latest ideas in furniture, accessories and lighting.

Tom concluded: “As our second monobrand in the eastern hemisphere, 52 Hollywood Road is the launch pad for many extraordinary adventures in Asia.”

FASHION ACCESS reports an enthusiastic September show

The three-day Hong Kong trade fair – FASHION ACCESS – came to a satisfactory conclusion on September 27, with industry visitors and exhibitors alike acknowledging its importance for their business, while the organisers say Hong Kong remains the centre of Asia’s thriving fashion scene.

The fair - held bi-annually at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre - was attended by a host of trade buyers from 58 countries and regions, with the top 10 representing countries from Hong Kong, China, Japan, USA, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Russian Federation, Italy and Singapore.  

International buyers were impressed with the wide variety of products on show, billing it a must-attend event.

Maria Yue of Winway Fashion in Hong Kong said: “There’s a larger variety of products available at Fashion Access than in other exhibitions, which makes sourcing much easier.”
Piraya Wattanopas of Sretsis Co. Ltd in Thailand noted: “This is my fourth visit at Fashion Access. I found bags of good quality and suitable accessories for the line of clothes I designed.”

Covering a wide range of accessories for head-to-toe fashion the main exhibition focus was on bags (51%) as well as footwear (23%).  The fair was divided into two main areas for buyers’ convenience. One floor was for companies that offered contract manufacturing services that came from mainly Asian countries, while the other area of the event, Fashion Avenue, was dedicated to independent international brands from 13 countries providing buyers of high-end department stores, online stores, boutiques and specialty shops with trendy and up-market fashion items.

In this edition, the fair featured over 200 companies from 21 countries and regions, with over 70 newcomers from Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.  There were participation of 9 group pavilions bringing in new names from China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Korea.

Mr. Howell Williams of Manzoni, Australia, a first-time exhibitor was satisfied with his first experience at Fashion Access and expressed plans to return for the next edition: “Consistent flow of visitors and a good mix of buyers from Hong Kong and China.  I received more than 30 enquiries on the first day morning and 2 confirmed orders from Japan!”

Jean-Marie Parthenay of Kaloes Raffia Bags in Madagascar was also pleased with his first participation: “I met many quality buyers and am very satisfied with the results. Fashion Access is the best fair to promote my brand and show my products in Asia.”

Perrine Ardouin, event director at UBM Asia said Fashion Access continues to maintain its long-standing 30-year+ presence in Asia’s most favoured city - Hong Kong.  She cited Hong Kong’s status as a free port as one of its unique attributions. 

“There are no exchange controls to hinder international business transactions; that is why it (Hong Kong) is still Asia’s commercial hub for western businesses and to top all these advantages, it remains the centre of Asia’s thriving fashion scene," said Ardouin.

The event organisers also named four participating companies recipients of the “Best of APLF Awards,” in recognition for their excellent product designs excellence through the Best of APLF Awards (BOAA).  The winners were:

Best Small Leathergoods - Saturday Morning and Night, Korea

Best Men's Footwear - Deshi Shoes Company Limited, China

Best Bags - Antony Group Srl, Italy

Best Footwear Collection - Guangzhou City Quangsheng Shoes Company Limited, China

The next edition of Fashion Access – for Autumn-Winter 2015-2016  -will be held from 30 March - 1 April 2015 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong.
For more information, please visit fashionaccess.aplf.com.