Fashion Summit (HK) 2026 "Code the Fashion Forward" at the Hong Kong Palace Museum: Global Fashion Leaders, Innovators, and Local Design Talents Gather, Sharing Insights to Co-create a Green and Smart New Chapter in Fashion

HONG KONG, Sept. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Organised by the Clothing Industry Training Authority (CITA) and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the "Fashion Summit (HK) 2026" was successfully held on 3 September 2026, at the Hong Kong Palace Museum in the West Kowloon Cultural District. As one of the flagship programmes of this year's "Hong Kong Fashion Fest", this world-class fashion extravaganza gathered top global fashion groups, innovators, international environmental organisations, as well as leaders and decision-makers from various sectors. Under the theme "Code the Fashion Forward", the Summit focused on how sustainable design, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and innovative business models can integrate at a critical crossroads where the fashion industry navigates digital transformation and environmental responsibility. It explored how AI can be incorporated into the world of craftsmanship with a more humanistic perspective, driving global fashion towards a greener and smarter future.

Mr. Raistlin Lau, JP, Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said in his welcoming remarks that since its inaugural edition in 2017, the Fashion Summit (HK) has continuously received strong support from the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau. It is truly encouraging to see how this conference has gone from strength to strength over the years, having expanded not only in scale but also in influence and international standing. Today, the Fashion Summit (HK) has become a leading platform where industry leaders, innovators, and designers come together to exchange ideas, explore opportunities, and advance sustainable fashion.

Mr. Lau noted that this year's theme, "Code the Fashion Forward", is both timely and thought-provoking, as the fashion industry has entered a new era shaped by technology, including the growing use of big data and AI. He highlighted that technology should not only drive business growth but also help the industry move forward with greater sustainability. At the same time, he believed that the most crucial components in the heart of fashion remain deeply human, namely, creativity, craftsmanship, and storytelling. Hong Kong enjoys a unique advantage in this regard; here, innovation and tradition do not compete but complement each other.

He further pointed out that this spirit of blending tradition with innovation is fully reflected in the lineup of today's six panel discussions. Speakers explored how data, technology, and creative media are transforming the fashion industry, sharing insights on a wide range of topics covering agile consumer models, AI-enabled green retail strategies, the enduring legacy of sartorial tailoring, as well as the growing influence of fashion storytelling from screen to wardrobe. He thanked all speakers for contributing their valuable insights and expressed his confidence that the conference will generate fresh ideas, deepen collaboration, and help shape a more innovative and sustainable future for fashion.

In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Roger Chan, Chairman of the Clothing Industry Training Authority (CITA), pointed out that AI is unlocking new opportunities in the fashion industry—from personalisation and digital design to virtual showcases and creative storytelling. This year's theme, "Code the Fashion Forward", reflects that the future of fashion must be shaped with clear intention, responsibility, and innovation. He noted that the word "Code" represents not only digital technology but also a new design language, a fresh operational mindset, and a renewed commitment to transforming the fashion industry towards a more sustainable and meaningful future.

Mr. Chan expressed his honour in welcoming distinguished speakers, industry leaders, innovators, designers, and experts from around the world to this Summit, sharing their insights on combining technology, creativity, craftsmanship, culture, and sustainability to address the major challenges facing the industry today. As an industry, we must not use technology solely for speed and convenience; we must utilise it to reduce waste, minimise environmental impact, enrich product value, and inspire more thoughtful consumption models. He further hoped the Summit would inspire everyone to imagine boldly, innovate responsibly, and lead the future of fashion with a clear purpose.

Hon. Sunny Tan, BBS, Member of the HKSAR Legislative Council (Textiles & Garment) and Chairman of the Steering Committee of Fashion Summit (HK) 2026, kicked off the Summit. In his keynote speech, he stated that the HKSAR Government is determined to develop "Ten Centres, Two Hubs, One Highland", among which the directions of a talent centre, supply chain management, and sustainable development are closely related to the textile, apparel, and fashion industries. He emphasised that Hong Kong, with its unique international Chinese network, well-established ecosystem, and strong manufacturing heritage, is fully equipped to become a global fashion and creative hub.

Centred around the core theme "Code the Fashion Forward", the Fashion Summit (HK) International Conference gathered luminaries from Hong Kong and around the world across 6 panel discussions and 4 professional talks to exchange the latest fashion trends, innovative technologies, solutions, and opportunities. Together with various industry stakeholders, they explored the possibilities in fashion. Guided by world-class speakers, participants delved into the application of AI in design, brand strategy, retail innovation, consumer data analysis, and product lifecycle optimisation. They also reflected on how technology can help the industry reduce waste and enhance efficiency while preserving craftsmanship and humanistic spirit.

Among them, the first heavyweight panel discussion in the morning, titled "Future Consumption: From Data Insights to Agile Fashion Business Models", was moderated by Dr. Christina Dean, Founder & Board Chair of REDRESS. Joined by Mr. Diego Dultzin, Co-Founder of OnTheList; Mr. Wei Li, Chief Economist (Northeast Asia) of Mastercard Ltd.; Ms. Natalie Wang, Founder of a Fashion Brand; and Ms. Chloe Yu, Senior Manager (Business Development - Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan & Southeast Asia) of Tmall Global, Taobao & Tmall Group of Alibaba, the panel explored how data insights are reshaping consumer behaviours and driving companies to formulate agile fashion business strategies.

The afternoon sessions of the Summit covered a diverse range of forward-looking topics, focusing on retail innovation, craftsmanship heritage, and sustainable development.

Retail Innovation and a Green Future: 
Mr. Kevin Choi, Global Marketing Director, Brands & Retailing at Tessellation Group; Ms. Emma Liao, Senior Advisor of Warburg Pincus; and Dr. Charleston Sin, Head of AI and Data of Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks (HKSTP), explored "Retail Innovation: AI-Driven Brand Strategy for a Greener Future", analysing the critical role of AI in driving sustainable brand development.

Heritage and Breakthrough of Traditional Craftsmanship:
The panel discussion "How Century-old Craftsmanship Brands can get back on Young People's Radar through Street Collabs" invited Mr. Worm Chau, Creative Director of Lee Kung Man, and Mr. Joe Wong, Director of Triplet Investments Limited. Moderated by Prof. Magnum Lam, Assistant Professor of the School of Fashion and Textiles at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, they shared successful experiences of rejuvenating traditional brands. Furthermore, Mr. Juri Di Silverio, APAC Chief Tailor of top brand BRIONI, and Mr. Geoffrey Shin, Co-founder & Master Tailor of Ascottage, supported by Mr. Alan See, Chairman of the Hong Kong Sartorial Association, discussed the artisanal charm of high-end bespoke menswear under the theme "Tailoring is Art".

Driving Sustainable Practices and Design:
Multiple international speakers delivered thought-provoking professional talks. Footwear Designer Ms. Maria Nina Václavková explored the sustainable challenges and solutions in footwear design; Ms. Pippa Small, Founder of Pippa Small Jewellery, shared insights on jewellery as empowerment; and Mr. Rainer Roten, Group CEO of TESTEX AG, explained how to transform compliance into a competitive advantage in the new era of the textile industry.

Cross-media Storytelling and Cultural Resonance:
The grand finale highlights included the panel discussion "From Screen To Wardrobe: The Revolution of Storytelling", presented by the team from the TVB programme Amazing Cut. The champions of the first and second seasons, Mr. Kev Yiu and Mr. Tiger Chung, alongside the programme's judge and Chairman of Fashion Farm Foundation Mr. Mayao Ma, host Ms. Crystal Fung, and artiste/model Ms. Hilary Chong, joined the stage to share their insights.

Meanwhile, Ms. Angelica Leung, Deputy Head of Consumer & Hospitality of Invest Hong Kong, moderated another panel discussion. She engaged with Dr. Robert Esser, Managing Director International of Nest Designs, and Mr. Patrick McDowell, Founder & Creative Director of PATRICK McDOWELL, to explore the topic: "In multi-cultural cities like Hong Kong, how can a brand's narrative remain culturally resonant while staying consistent globally?".

Fashion Fever Continues with "Wear's HK" Building a High-Efficiency Pop-up Ecosystem
Although the "Fashion Summit (HK) 2026" has successfully concluded, the September fashion fever is far from over! The public is invited to visit the "Wear's HK" pop-up shop series starting from 1 September to support local fashion design brands and experience the boundless potential of 20 Hong Kong fashion design brands in person. "Wear's HK" is a fashion pop-up shop project organised by the Clothing Industry Training Authority (CITA) and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the HKSAR Government. A series of pop-up shops are launched across six prime fashion and shopping destinations in Hong Kong from 1 to 14 September 2026, bringing the fashion vibe to various districts across the city.

The "Wear's HK" pop-up shops are located at six prime locations: ifc mall, Harbour City, Harvey Nichols Pacific Place, Hong Kong International Airport, Hysan Place, and Festival Walk, featuring carefully selected retail spaces. These physical spaces will closely connect multiple Hong Kong fashion designers with Gen Z, millennials, and global consumers. By seamlessly integrating physical exploration with instant purchasing, the pop-up shops will not only drive revenue but also help local fashion designers expand their market reach, nurture top talent, and build a high-efficiency "Wear's HK" pop-up ecosystem.

At the same time, "Fashion Summit (HK) 2026" is concurrently holding a Hong Kong fashion exhibition until 14 September on 1/F of Jardine House in Central, showcasing sustainable fashion apparel meticulously crafted by these 20 local fashion brands.

About Fashion Summit (HK)

Fashion Summit (HK) is an event organised by the Clothing Industry Training Authority (CITA) with the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as the lead sponsor. It is an Asian mega-event focused on "Sustainable Fashion" and serves as one of the flagship programmes of the Hong Kong Fashion Fest. Since 2017, Fashion Summit (HK) has continually hosted international conferences, convening key players from the fashion industry, renowned academics, representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), media, alongside leaders and decision-makers from various sectors in Hong Kong. They gather to exchange insights and ideas on the latest trends, innovative technologies, solutions, and opportunities in sustainable fashion, working collaboratively to foster the sustainable development of the fashion industry.

Under the theme "Code the Fashion Forward", the International Conference of Fashion Summit (HK) 2026 was held once again at the Hong Kong Palace Museum in the West Kowloon Cultural District on 3 September this year. The fashion industry is currently at a critical crossroads where "digital transformation" and "environmental responsibility" intersect. Fashion Summit (HK) 2026 will delve into how sustainable design, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and innovative business models can integrate to jointly shape a fashion industry that is both smart and environmentally responsible.

Please visit: https://www.fashionsummit.hk/

About Wear's HK

"Wear's HK" is a fashion pop-up shop project organised by the Clothing Industry Training Authority (CITA) and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as a flagship programme of the Hong Kong Fashion Fest. A series of pop-up shops will be launched across six prime fashion and shopping destinations in Hong Kong from 1 to 14 September 2026, bringing the fashion vibe to various districts across the city. The pop-up shops will be located at Harbour City, ifc mall, Harvey Nichols Pacific Place, Hong Kong International Airport, Hysan Place and Festival Walk — six prime locations featuring carefully selected retail spaces. These physical spaces will connect 20 units of Hong Kong Fashion Designers with local fashionistas, Gen Z, millennials, and global consumers. By seamlessly integrating physical exploration with instant purchasing, the pop-up shops not only drive revenue but also help local fashion designers expand their market reach, nurture talent, and build a high-efficiency "Wear's HK" pop-up ecosystem.

Please visit the official website: https://wearshk.com/

About Hong Kong Fashion Fest

Announced by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive in the 2023 Policy Address, "Hong Kong Fashion Fest" will be organised to develop Hong Kong into a fashion design hub in Asia. Through consolidating various fashion design events and introducing innovative elements and affiliate activities annually, the Hong Kong Fashion Fest promotes Hong Kong's fashion and textile design brands and boosts Hong Kong's position as a prime destination for hosting mega cultural and creative events. Under the theme "Rhythm of the Heart", the third edition of Hong Kong Fashion Fest will be held from 1 to 14 September 2026 at various landmarks in Hong Kong. The event will bring together eight flagship programmes organised by six industry organisations and, for the first time, will be combined with CENTRESTAGE - the annual fashion extravaganza organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council - to generate stronger synergies. The event will attract fashion design industry players from all over the world to come to Hong Kong; foster collaboration, innovation and business opportunities; establish platform for local and international fashion designers and brands and connect with different sectors in the fashion design industry of Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and overseas, thereby consolidating Hong Kong's position as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.

About Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), formerly known as Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) since 2009, was established in June 2024. CCIDA is a dedicated office under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR Government) to provide one-stop services and support to the cultural and creative sectors with a mission to foster a conducive environment in Hong Kong to facilitate development of the arts, culture and creative sectors as industries. CCIDA's strategic foci are nurturing talent and facilitating start-ups, exploring markets, promoting cross-sectoral and multi-disciplinary collaboration, promoting industrialisation of the arts, culture and creative sectors under the industry-oriented principle, and fostering a creative atmosphere in the community, thereby reinforcing Hong Kong as Asia's creative capital and our positioning as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.

For more details about the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, please visit: www.ccidahk.gov.hk

SOURCE The Clothing Industry Training Authority (CITA)