Creativity & Lifestyle

The HKTDC Design Gallery’s annual LoveHK exhibition has returned to Hong Kong and runs until 9 July, displaying more than 60 artworks made from everyday waste items such as coffee filters, wine corks, egg cartons, vegetable and fruit nets and glass bottles at its Wan Chai CEC shop.

Hong Kong has long been a shopper’s paradise drawing people from all over the world for retail therapy and over the past two decades the fastest growing segment has been consumers from nearby parts of Mainland China.

In spring this year Hong Kong’s art community celebrated the end of travel restrictions by holding an “art spring”, with exhibitions and cultural events including Art Basel (main picture), Art Central, HK Walls and other art collective events at venues such as the Tai Kwun and the Fringe Club.

As travel and trade between Hong Kong and Mainland China rapidly recover following the COVID-19 pandemic, the consumer market has picked up, boosting industries such as tourism, retail and exhibitions.

Noting the steady stream of disposable cutlery going to Hong Kong landfills, an architect turned industrial designer developed a pocket-friendly dining set for take-away eating city dwellers.

Founded by a senior fashion designer in Hong Kong, Moonone Collection Limited has expanded into overseas markets and helped to nurture a new generation of clothes designers through cross-border cooperation with multinational artists.

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and sponsored by Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, CENTRESTAGE returns to the spotlight from 9 to 11 September. The three-day event will open to fashion buyers and also the general public, featuring a number of in-person as well as virtual exhibitions, with visitors able to immerse themselves in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) interactive experiences.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted bricks-and-mortar retail businesses but provided new opportunities for Hong Kong start-up AEfolio Limited, which expanded its online presence to offer its customisable homeware and artisan glassware pieces.

As industry in Mainland China moves up the value chain and Hong Kong’s gateway role updates in tandem, cultural and creative enterprises are becoming increasingly important, particularly for young people starting out in their careers.

Design marketing platform Vermillion showcases the work of established and emerging Asian talents, celebrating items ranging from furniture and homeware accessories to prints and photography. The business-to-business platform zooms in on Asian creations and its rapidly growing portfolio includes almost 200 lifestyle brands and creative talents from China, Japan and Southeast Asia. The firm has focused on working with real-estate clients and design professionals but has plans to set up a business-to-consumer (B2C) arm, Founder and CEO Krizia Li said.

Aspiring designers often find that fully understanding the business end of their operations – whether it is intellectual property rights, licensing, patents or merchandising – to be a challenge. That’s why the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) came together to co-organise two professional incubation and mentorship programmes to help young talents navigate the business world and succeed in their endeavours.

Interior design harnesses all the senses, incorporating spatial layout and arrangement, functionality and aesthetic design to create pleasing spaces. Designers also need to pay close attention to factors such as materials, lighting, scent and furniture. For Hintegro, a Hong Kong-based studio, interior design is also a process of creating positive and beautiful experiences for its clients.