In the vibrant heart of Sham Shui Po, a new chapter in Hong Kong's design story unfolded as Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) launched its groundbreaking DX design hub in December 2024. This momentous occasion marked not just the opening of a physical space, but the dawn of a new era in Hong Kong's creative landscape. As the city continues to strengthen its position as Asia's creative capital, the final months of 2024 witnessed an extraordinary convergence of design excellence, innovation, and cultural exchange through a series of remarkable events that showcased Hong Kong's unique role as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
Hong Kong Design Centre’s New Landmark ‘DX design hub’
The period spanning November to December 2024 proved transformative, featuring the launch of DX design hub, the success of Business of Design Week (BODW) 2024, Fashion Asia Hong Kong's influential programmes, and a host of other significant initiatives that collectively demonstrated HKDC's commitment to nurturing creative talent and fostering design innovation. These achievements not only celebrated Hong Kong's design prowess but also reinforced its position as a vital nexus for global creative dialogue.
Hong Kong Design Centre’s New Landmark ‘DX design hub’ Holds Launching Party
The launch of DX design hub on 3 December 2024 marked a significant milestone in HKDC's mission to nurture design talent and promote creative excellence. Located at 280 Tung Chau Street, this innovative space spans five levels and encompasses 3,600 square metres of creative potential. The hub's opening ceremony drew together government officials, business leaders, and creative professionals from Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, symbolising the strong collaborative spirit that defines Hong Kong's design community.
Prof. Eric Yim, MH, JP, Chairman of HKDC, giving welcome remarks at the DX design hub Launching party
Prof. Eric Yim, Chairman of HKDC, captured the essence of this achievement: 'The "D" in DX design hub stands for design and diversified design disciplines, while "X" signifies "multiply" and "crossover". Through DX design hub, we aim to foster communications and collaborative partnerships across various creative and design fields, as well as between the wider creative design industry and the business sector.'
The opening period saw the launch of several groundbreaking exhibitions that set the tone for DX design hub's creative vision. 'Convergence | 匯', housed in The Box, offered visitors an immersive journey through Hong Kong and Asia's rich design legacy. This innovative technological showcase demonstrated where 'Old meets New', 'East meets West', and 'Legacy shapes Future', running from December 2024 through February 2025.
'Convergence' offers visitors an immersive journey through Hong Kong and Asia's rich design legacy
'Convergence' offers visitors an immersive journey through Hong Kong and Asia's rich design legacy
In the Atrium space, the creative installation 'BEing | 變形記' captured imaginations with its innovative use of projection mapping technology. The paper-made gigantic Chameleon installation, perching within DX design hub, featured an ever-changing skin that symbolised the evolving characteristics of Hong Kong designers, creating a mesmerising spectacle that will continue to inspire visitors through May 2025.
'BEing' presents imaginations with innovative use of projection mapping technology
The Design Museum proudly presented 'Design Pulse Asia', a comprehensive exhibition delving into the unique heritages, diverse trajectories, and cultural exchanges shaping Asia's design landscape. This six-month showcase, running until June 2025, exemplifies how the fusion of regional influences, materials, and craftsmanship has been pivotal in the evolution of design, leading to the creation of diverse Asian lifestyles that contribute to the enrichment of global culture.
‘Design Pulse Asia’ exhibition explores Asia's design heritage, development and cultural exchanges
‘Design Pulse Asia’ exhibition explores Asia's design heritage, development and cultural exchanges
The opening programme also featured the flagship 'GBA Creative Fortnight', themed 'What's NE(X)T', which showcased the power of design through Experience, Explore, and Exchange. Visitors explored three distinct zones: 'Experiential Passage' offered sensory journeys through innovative installations, 'Co-creation Commons' fostered collaboration among designers, and 'Networking Area' connected creatives to forge meaningful partnerships. Another highlight was 'Takuma Fujisaki's Mogols', an exciting fusion of local fashion and Japanese pop culture featuring 12 designers from HKDC's incubation programmes, who created made-to-order collectibles and striking art pieces that spotlighted Hong Kong's emerging fashion talent.
'GBA Creative Fortnight' themed 'What's NE(X)T' showcases design through Experience, Explore and Exchange
'GBA Creative Fortnight' themed 'What's NE(X)T' showcases design through Experience, Explore and Exchange
From 2 to 16 December, HKDC orchestrated an unprecedented city-wide celebration of design through BODW in the city. This innovative programme transformed Hong Kong into a vibrant canvas of creativity with over 60 themed events spread across the city.
‘BODW in the city’ Opening Party
The programme's diverse offerings included several standout exhibitions and experiences. 'The Asymmetry of Blablabla' and 'Energy of Repair' at BaseHall 2 explored architectural narratives and environmental sustainability through compelling visual installations. The innovative 'CityMapper' experience offered an hour-long multisensory tram journey through Hong Kong's heart, while the 'FILA x James Jean Art Installation' presented a mesmerising exploration of space and imagination through the acclaimed artist's distinctive visual language.
CityMapper: A Multisensory Dialogue to Experience Traditional Hong Kong by the Iconic Tram Ride
'The Asymmetry of Blablabla'
The initiative marked a significant evolution from previous years, as highlighted by Professor Viveca Chan, Vice Chairman of HKDC and BODW in the City Working Committee Chairman: 'BODW in the city is pioneering a fresh format, diverging from past editions. We're engaging not just across different design disciplines, but also extending our collaborative network to include business sectors and brands, significantly broadening our reach and impact.'
‘BODW in the city’ – ‘City of Design’ Opening Party
The Business of Design Week (BODW) 2024 Summit, held from 4 to 6 December at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, marked a momentous celebration of design excellence and international collaboration. Under the theme 'Inter/Section: Design, Artistry and Innovation', this Asia’s premier event coincided with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France, elevating its significance as a platform for design and cultural exchange, creative dialogue,and business collaborations.
‘BODW 2024’ Closing Ceremony
With France as the Partner Country, BODW 2024 assembled 50 renowned designers and entrepreneurs from France, Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas. The summit featured more than 40 face-to-face panels, keynote speeches and fireside chats, exploring five key topics: Urban Futures, Brands & Retail Resurgence, Craftsmanship & Material Mastery, Culture & Digital Aesthetics, and AI & Future Tech.
Thomas Heatherwick, Founder & Design Director of Heatherwick Studio
The Summit brought together distinguished speakers who shared transformative insights across various design disciplines. Thomas Heatherwick, Founder & Design Director of Heatherwick Studio, advocated for humanising architecture: "We need to create buildings with the mindset that emotion is a function." Ma Yansong, Architect, Artist, Founder & Principal Partner of MAD architects emphasised architecture's relationship with nature, while Guo Pei, Couture Designer and Founder of Rose Studio, explored the intersection of tangible craftsmanship and intangible cultural heritage. Tino Kwan, Principal Consultant of Tino Kwan Lighting Consultants, illuminated the transformative power of strategic lighting in architectural design, demonstrating how minimal equipment could achieve maximum impact in creating immersive brand experiences.
Guo Pei, Couture Designer and Founder of Rose Studio
Tino Kwan. Principal Consultant of Tino Kwan Lighting Consultants
The event's significance was underscored by distinguished guests including Prof. Eric Yim, MH, JP, Chairman of HKDC; Ms Margaret Fong, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council; and Mrs Christile Drulhe, Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau. Mrs Eva Nguyen Binh, President of Institut français and Ambassador for French Cultural Diplomacy, delivered an inspiring opening address that highlighted how French culture's rich heritage continues to drive innovation. Prof. Eric Yim emphasised Hong Kong's unique position as a nexus for East-West cultural exchange, while Mrs Christile Drulhe celebrated the enduring cultural ties between France and Hong Kong, noting how design serves as a universal language connecting ideas, cultures, and disciplines. This collaboration exemplified the shared commitment to making design a bridge between tradition and modernity, craftsmanship and innovation.
Hong Kong Design Centre is pleased to announce Italy as its Partner Country for BODW 2025
The partnership with France extended beyond the summit, enriching BODW 2024 through various initiatives. Notable highlights included the successful Knowledge of Design Week (KODW) held in June, the debut of "Maison&Objet Design Factory" at DesignInspire, and an exclusive performance by renowned French audio-visual artists Franck Vigroux and Antoine Schmitt during the summit's opening afternoon session.
Through this rich programme of cross-cultural exchange and innovative dialogue, BODW 2024 not only celebrated the historic ties between China and France but also reinforced Hong Kong's position as a vital nexus for global creative discourse. The summit demonstrated how design thinking and cultural collaboration can drive progress and innovation, creating lasting impact across industries and communities.
Fashion & Design Excellence
Fashion Asia Hong Kong 2024 emerged as a powerful testament to Hong Kong's position as a vital hub for Asian fashion design. The programme's flagship event, the Fashion Challenges Forum, held at the St. Regis Hong Kong on 29 November, brought together an impressive roster of international fashion luminaries. Notable speakers included Nicolas Morineaux, CEO of Galeries Lafayette China; Prabal Gurung, Vice Chairman of Council of Fashion Designers of America; Lv Xiaolei, Executive Vice Chairman of Shanghai Fashion Designer Association; Laura Weir, Creative Director from Selfridges; and acclaimed Fashion Designer Phillip Lim. These industry leaders engaged in profound discussions about market trends, craftsmanship, and digital innovation, offering invaluable insights into the future of fashion.
Participants engaged in the Fashion Challenges Forum to explore the latest developments and trends in the fashion industry
‘Fashion Challenges Forum’
The Fashion Challenges Forum featured thought-provoking discussions on crucial industry topics. Sessions included 'The Next Chapter in Chinese Retail', exploring future trends in luxury consumption; 'Creative Strategies in Global Retail', examining the evolution of department stores; 'Asian Forces in Fashion', investigating the interplay of heritage and global influence; and 'The Power of Storytelling', discussing authentic brand narratives in today's digital landscape. These discussions, led by industry luminaries, provided valuable insights into the future of fashion retail and design.
‘Fashion Challenges Forum’
‘Fashion Challenges Forum’
The '10 Asian Designers to Watch' exhibition, running from 29 November to 1 December, took an innovative approach this year by launching a multi-sensory collaboration with Clockenflap. This groundbreaking exhibition blended style and sound through interactive designer Sound Diaries, creating an immersive experience that redefined traditional fashion showcase formats. The exhibition spotlighted ten remarkable emerging designer brands: Grace Ling, Juntae Kim, KWK by Kay Kwok, Markgong, Oude Waag, Raxxy, Ruohan, Setchu, tanakadaisuke, and YA YI, each bringing their unique vision to challenge conventional fashion boundaries.
’10 Asian Designers To Watch’ exhibition
’10 Asian Designers To Watch’ exhibition
’10 Asian Designers To Watch’ exhibition
In a notable enhancement to the exhibition, Fashion Asia presented 'A Showcase of Asian Design Excellence', featuring distinguished past winners including Chen Peng, Christian Stone, Feng Chen Wang, Louis Shengtao Chen, pillings, Ponder.er, Pronounce, Reverie by Caroline Hù, Shuting Qiu, and Windowsen. This retrospective celebration demonstrated the enduring impact of Asian design talent on the global fashion landscape.
’10 Asian Designers To Watch’ exhibition
’10 Asian Designers To Watch’ exhibition
The DFA Awards 2024 marked the highest level of design landscapes in Asia with the prestigious awards ceremony taking place during the BODW Gala Dinner on 4 December. The evening saw the conferment of four distinguished awards, each representing the pinnacle of design excellence in Asia. Ms. SUM Fong Kwang, Vivian, JP, Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR, presented the trophies to an exceptional roster of winners: Mr. Kengo KUMA received the DFA Lifetime Achievement Award 2024, Mr. Tino KWAN was honored with the DFA World's Outstanding Chinese Designer 2024, and Mr. Eisuke TACHIKAWA was recognized as the inaugural DFA Designer of the Year 2024. Mr. Kikuo IBE, recipient of the DFA Design Leadership Award 2024, shared his heartfelt appreciation through a touching video message.
BODW 2024 Gala Dinner cum DFA Awards Presentation Ceremony
The celebration of design excellence continued with the DFA Design for Asia Awards and DFA Hong Kong Young Design Talent Award Presentation Ceremony on 6 December. This year marked an unprecedented achievement with 215 DFA DFAA and 17 DFA HKYDTA awardees, underscoring the remarkable depth and breadth of Asian design talent. The ceremony was graced by international design masters including Mark DYTHAM, KAN Tai-keung, Henery STEINER, and Eisuke TACHIKAWA, who presented the awards to the winners.
DFA HKYDTA winners
Professor Eric Yim, Chairman of Hong Kong Design Centre, emphasized the transformative power of design: "Design has always been a powerful catalyst for change, shaping not just our surroundings but how we connect with the world. We are proud to acknowledge the unparalleled level of creativity and individuality of the winners and celebrate the visionaries for their profound contributions to design."
DFA Design for Asia Awards - Grand Award Winners
The DFA Awards 2024 Exhibition, held at DesignInspire from 5 to 7 December at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, provided a comprehensive showcase of works from winners across all six award programmes. This exhibition not only displayed exceptional design achievements but also offered insights into the philosophies and creative processes behind these outstanding projects. The exhibition's impact extended beyond physical boundaries through the DFA Awards Online Showcase platform, ensuring global accessibility to these remarkable design accomplishments.
DFA Awards 2024 Exhibition
The inspirational PechaKucha event at DX design hub on 6 December marked a significant milestone in Hong Kong's creative community engagement. This globally renowned storytelling format, making its debut at HKDC's new base, brought together diverse voices including PechaKucha co-founder Mark Dytham and an impressive lineup of creative professionals. Speakers including Cardin CHAN, Freeman LAU, Michelle LAU (DFA HKYDTA winner), Rodney LOH (DFA DFAA winner), Penelope LUK, and Keith WONG shared their insights and experiences through the distinctive 20x20 format, creating an evening of dynamic exchange and inspiration.
DX design hub came alive with creativity and inspiration during our first PechaKucha event on 6 Dec
The launch of The Barn at DX design hub represented another significant achievement in fostering material innovation and creative exploration. In collaboration with matériO' from Paris, The Barn proudly showcased over 1,500 special, unique, and innovative materials. The opening ceremony was attended by distinguished guests including matériO' Founder & CEO Quentin Hirsinge, matériO' Head of Development Pauline Vidalm, and Tribe22 Founder & Director Marie-helene Prevot, marking the establishment of the first matériO' in the Greater China Area.
“Precious Matter” exhibition at the Barn, DX design hub
‘Precious Matter’ exhibition at the Barn, DX design hub
Takuma Fujisaki's Mogols collaboration brought an exciting fusion of local fashion and Japanese pop culture to life. This dynamic partnership paired acclaimed artist Takuma Fujisaki's beloved Mogol characters with 12 fashion designers from Fashion Incubation Programs & Design Incubation Programs, resulting in a unique showcase of made-to-order collectible figurines and striking 150cm art pieces. The exhibition not only provided a platform for Hong Kong's emerging fashion talent but also fostered meaningful connections between creators, collectors, and design enthusiasts.
Takuma Fujisaki’s Mogols: A Hong Kong Fashion Collaboration with FIP & DIP
Takuma Fujisaki’s Mogols: A Hong Kong Fashion Collaboration with FIP & DIP
The Precious Matter Exhibition, powered by matériO', invited visitors to explore the diversity of materials shaping our world. With over 1,500 special, unique, and innovative materials on display, from rare textiles to sustainable resources, the exhibition challenged visitors to reconsider their relationship with precious, finite resources while encouraging mindful consumption through repair, preservation, reuse, and recycling.
As we reflect on these remarkable achievements of late 2024, it becomes clear that Hong Kong Design Centre has not only established new milestones but has also laid the groundwork for an even more dynamic future in design innovation and cultural exchange. The successful launch of DX design hub, alongside the triumphant execution of major events including BODW 2024, Fashion Asia Hong Kong, and the DFA Awards, demonstrates HKDC's commitment to nurturing creative talent and fostering design excellence.
Looking ahead, HKDC continues to expand its programming and engagement opportunities, with upcoming initiatives that will further strengthen Hong Kong's position as Asia's creative capital. Through DX design hub, we anticipate hosting an exciting array of exhibitions, workshops, and collaborative events that will bring together creative minds from across the region and beyond.
We invite you to be part of this exciting journey into the future of design. Follow DX design hub's social media channels and visit www.hkdesigncentre.org/dx/happenings for the latest updates on our upcoming programmes and events. Join us in shaping the next chapter of Hong Kong's design story, as we continue to push boundaries, inspire innovation, and create meaningful impact through the power of design.
Together, let us embrace the possibilities that lie ahead and contribute to Hong Kong's flourishing creative ecosystem. Whether you're a design professional, enthusiast, or simply curious about the transformative power of design, there's a place for you in our growing community at DX design hub – Hong Kong's newest and most dynamic creative destination.
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