Hong Kong fashion designers take their creations to the world stage by merging virtual and physical clothing to inspire the fashion industry, while helping to foster cultural bonds and create business opportunities. Oasis Hu reports from Bangkok.
Thai designers pose with their creations at the Juxtaposed 2023 Hong Kong Fashion in Bangkok, which took place on Oct 22, 2023. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
Amid the blazing glare of a brilliantly illuminated stage, the models began strutting down the catwalk as their outfits in digital avatars mirrored their every move on a parallel virtual runway, drawing gasps of amazement from the audience.
The fashion extravaganza, organized by the Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association and held in Bangkok on Oct 22, broke tradition in many ways. It featured more than 50 creations by 52 designers from the special administrative region, and four others from Thailand. International models were invited to don physical clothes, along with an ensemble of virtual avatars to showcase fashion in the metaverse.
In the vast atrium of IconSiam — the Thai capital’s premier high-end shopping mall — a stage was erected, with a central physical catwalk encircled by screens showing the models’ virtual counterparts. The stage was surrounded by fashion boutiques, providing a fitting backdrop. Some guests watched from their seats adjacent to the runway, while hundreds of onlookers packed the space around it. Shoppers on the upper floors couldn’t help peering down on what was unfolding below.
The spectacle was a prelude to Juxtaposed 2023 Hong Kong Fashion in Bangkok — an event organized by the HKFDA that aimed to unite fashion designers, and which was sponsored by Create Hong Kong, a dedicated office set up by the HKSAR government to propel the development of creative industries. The show was also part of Hong Kong Week — a major cultural exchange program initiated by the HKSAR government to foster cultural exchanges among Hong Kong and other cities. This year, Hong Kong Week was held overseas for the first time, with concerts, dance performances, and the screening of films in Bangkok.
As one of the key features of Hong Kong Week, Juxtaposed 2023 Hong Kong Fashion in Bangkok was aimed at bringing Hong Kong fashion to the global stage by combining the visions of Hong Kong designers and their Thai counterparts, and taking a total of 112 designs to Thailand. Held under the theme “Fashion Meta”, it opened with a fashion show on Oct 22, with 56 of these creations debuting by merging virtual and physical fashion.
The opening show of the Juxtaposed 2023 Hong Kong Fashion in Bangkok attracts celebrities and influencers from Thailand. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
To create business opportunities, a pop-up boutique was set up within the mall displaying ready-to-wear clothing from the participating Hong Kong labels. What set this shop apart was its seamless integration of exhibition and online shopping, where visitors could experience a new shopping approach that transcended physical retail shops.
The event drew tremendous crowds, with the opener hosting distinguished guests, ranging from government officials, fashion representatives, designers, celebrities and actors, to influencers from Hong Kong and Thailand.
Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, Hong Kong secretary for culture, sports and tourism, said in his inaugural address the event would offer the local audience a wonderful experience that reinterprets the interesting contrasts between the cultural identities of Hong Kong and Thailand.
“‘Hong Kong Week serves as an exceptional platform to present Hong Kong cultural and creative achievements to the Thai audience and strengthen the bonds between Hong Kong and Thailand,” he said.
HKFDA Chairman Kevin Yeung Kei-bun said he hoped the occasion would provide an opportunity for Thailand to appreciate the creativity of Hong Kong, and encourage meaningful interactions in fashion design between the two places. “We look forward to inspiring and enlightening the fashion industry, bringing in new insights and understanding,” he said.
In an interview with China Daily, Ploi Horwang — a Thai actress with 1 million followers on Instagram — says she was extremely excited to have been invited to the event. It was the first time she had attended a fashion show from another part of the world, as well as her first encounter with a runway that blended fashion with technology. “It has given me a completely new experience,” she said.
Soundtiss — a Thai social influencer with about 600,000 followers on Instagram, but who has never been to Hong Kong — says the event evoked a strong desire for her to visit the city.
She loves the beauty and creativity of Hong Kong fashion so much that she would like to “wear every single dress designed by these talented designers”.
Models walk down a central physical catwalk, which is encircled by screens broadcasting their virtual counterparts. The venue, staged in the IconSiam in Bangkok on Oct 22, 2023, drew large crowds. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
HK fashion under spotlight
Henry Lau Chi-wa, a Hong Kong designer who founded renowned clothing brand SPY, has been making waves in the fashion business since the 1990s. With collections sold in various countries and cities, including Kuwait, Sydney, Dubai and Beijing, he had created costumes for Hong Kong pop superstars like the late Leslie Cheung Kwok-wing and Anita Mui Yim-fong, as well as Taiwan music sensation Jay Chow.
For Lau, the Bangkok show was of significant value, providing him an opportunity to share his story with international audiences. His designs have always been distinguished by their captivating narratives and theatrical flair, and the creations he took to Thailand continued to exude his signature style. Lau conveyed a story of “freedom and bondage” to the Thai audience, saying designers often find themselves “navigating” between business and art. Depending on the project, a design may lean toward commercial appeal or artistic expression, making it challenging in trying to strike the right balance. So he incorporated strap-on designs in his clothing, creating a bondage effect when worn by models.
The prominent designer, who had taken part in numerous fashion events, says the show in Thailand was unique as it was the first time he and more than 50 fellow Hong Kong designers had collectively chosen garments for such an event, forming a unified force to represent the SAR’s fashion icons. He said he believes the attributes of Hong Kong fashion lie in its lack of historical constraints, the city’s harmonious blend of Eastern and Western influences, and its forward-thinking, international perspective.
Models walk down a central physical catwalk, which is encircled by screens broadcasting their virtual counterparts. The venue, staged in the IconSiam in Bangkok on Oct 22, 2023, drew large crowds. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
The Thai audience would perceive these distinctive qualities through what was embodied in their garments, be it the design, fabric or craftsmanship, thus enabling them to experience the essence of Hong Kong’s fashion identity, he says.
In contrast, Cheung Lu-lu — another veteran Hong Kong fashion designer with over 30 years’ experience in the business — has won recognition for her understated design style. Her creations chosen for the showcase in Thailand upheld her distinctive approach, characterized by simple palettes and minimalistic aesthetics.
Despite the absence of elaborate embellishments, she focused on utilizing high-quality fabrics that exemplify her brand’s pursuit of a refined lifestyle, she says. By embracing restrained and sophisticated aesthetics, she wanted to evoke a subtle yet profound impact, conveying a sense of simplicity and unpretentiousness to the Thai audience.
HKFDA Vice-Chairman Walter Ma Wai-ming, himself a renowned fashion designer, says the 52 participating Hong Kong designers from various generations have unique styles, and the event had served as a comprehensive platform to show the diverse characteristics of Hong Kong fashion.
Whether it’s dramatic or understated style, the gathering enabled the world to witness the SAR’s creative endeavors, providing a deeper understanding of the traits that define Hong Kong fashion, Ma said.
Some of the designers’ fashion works on display at Juxtaposed 2023 Hong Kong Fashion in Bangkok. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
Embracing Thai vibe
The significance of this event as a platform for exhibiting culture and fashion was also acknowledged by Thai designers.
Pring Bunnag, who was born in Bangkok, founded Sucette, a Thai brand. She pursued further studies in California before spending over a decade in Paris, where she set up a shoe brand and boutique, earning many awards for her designs. Pring was back in Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she reconnected with her roots and was captivated by the country’s heritage, especially the beauty and opulence of Thai silk and textiles.
Motivated to showcase her hometown’s treasures to the world, she established Sucette, with skirts as its centerpiece. What makes Sucette dresses unique is their incorporation of the classic Thai sarong — the large length of fabric woven in various patterns. Pring was also inspired by the historical images of Siamese women in the 19th century, gracefully draped in a single piece of fabric. She integrated this element into her designs, instilling her creations with a vintage and elegant charm.
In addition, she says, each Sucette dress is individually hand-printed and hand-dyed, using sustainable practices and natural dyes derived from plants.
Through her brand, she hopes to communicate a powerful message to the world that beauty does not necessarily stem from material excess or chasing trends. Instead, it can be found in simplicity and naturalness. On being invited to the event, she felt “super honored to be included and be an example of Asian style”, allowing her to exhibit her brand to a world audience.
Some of the designers’ fashion works on display at Juxtaposed 2023 Hong Kong Fashion in Bangkok. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
Remaining true to the brand’s philosophy, Pring utilized the iconic sarong fabric, and personally hand-printed and hand-dyed dresses for the occasion. In the process, she encountered many challenges. She accidentally burned the silk because of the high heat while working on a charcoal stone. During the hand-printed and hand-dyed process, she discarded a lot of materials that didn’t enable her to achieve the desired results. She persevered and kept trying until she achieved the goal.
For Pring, the result embodied the essence of craftsmanship. “You never know what you’ll get until the last moment,” she says. So she always remains positive, happy and energetic when creating dresses as she believes that, through her garments, these emotions can be transmitted to and resonate with the audience.
Through the Bangkok extravaganza, she wanted to challenge the prevailing notion of “Made in Thailand/Asia” as being of mass manufacturing and low quality. She wanted to convey to the world that this label can be synonymous with luxury and the highest level of artistry.
Kathy Rassarin, founder of a girls’ brand in Thailand called Flat 2112, called the event a remarkable opportunity for her to gain international recognition and exposure. Driven by her fascination with castles, historical portraits, photographs and stories, she drew inspiration from Victorian dresses for her showcased design. She adapted the historical collection to be more wearable for daily life, infusing them with a girlish and lively touch.
Rassarin aimed to convey the core message of her brand: Age is no barrier to maintaining a youthful attitude, and, regardless of everything one faces, it’s possible to infuse life with happiness, she said.
The event takes place in the heart of IconSiam — the city’s premier high-end shopping mall. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
Opportunity for exchange
Lau highlighted another significant aspect of the show — promoting cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Thailand. He admires the works of four Thai designers and appreciates their unique styles. While Hong Kong has a fast-paced and high-pressure lifestyle, Thailand enjoys a more relaxed and casual atmosphere, as reflected in its clothing designs, he says. Thai designers often employ vibrant colors, bold combinations, and casual styles, while incorporating prints into their creations.
Hong Kong and Thailand embrace drama in their fashion designs, but with distinct purposes. Hong Kong’s dramatic clothing is typically geared toward stage performances, whereas Thai people go for “exaggeration” in their daily lives. “It’s common to see Thais putting on dramatic outfits while shopping or working. This is a really distinctive cultural characteristic of Thailand,” says Lau. “In the future, I’ll apply what I’ve learned from this exchange to my own design.”
Pring adds she’s excited about collaborating and exchanging views with Hong Kong designers. She identifies herself as a Chinese Thai, proudly acknowledging her heritage and the links with her great-grandparents, who were born in China, adding she has always been passionate about Chinese culture.
Hong Kong is a unique and special city in China, Pring says. It has a combination of Western influences with Chinese traditions, as well as a cosmopolitan nature and a thriving arts scene. Such a unique blend is reflected in the works of Hong Kong designers in various aspects, such as their shapes, textures, craftsmanship and inspirations, she said.
Having lived in Paris for over a decade, Pring particularly points to the richness of contemporary French fashion, attributing the French capital’s profusion to its diverse and mixed population, which includes various European nationalities that can contribute to the city’s fashion industry.
She said she believes that Asia, with its different cultures, has the potential for collaboration and mutual inspiration.
By collaborating collectively, Asian designers can create an environment that’s conducive to reshaping the global perception of “Made in Asia”, challenging existing stereotypes and showcasing exceptional craftsmanship. Pring says the fashion show in Thailand served as a remarkable initiative and a good starting point for introducing Hong Kong designers to Thailand, as well as putting forth Thai fashion to a broader audience. It helped create a sense of community among design talents, laying a strong foundation for future cooperation among different Asian regions, she added.
And she’s ready to talk to Hong Kong designers, share ideas with them, and cultivate stronger ties within the Asian fashion community.
Contact the writer at oasishu@chinadailyhk.com
