CaliforniaApparelNews.net

Daisy Li

Hong Kong Fashion Week is an odd mix of sourcing show with runway shows.

And one of the standouts on the catwalk during the Spring/Summer 2012 event, held July 4-7 at the Hong Kong Convention Centre, was the assortment of student creations. The Chinese University of Hong Kong filled the runway with over-the-top fashion that only students have the audacity to dish up.

Every year the organizers of Hong Kong Fashion Week come up with a theme to set the tone for the mammoth sourcing and fashion fair, which has hundreds of apparel sourcing companies putting their best foot forward. This year, the theme for the July 5–8 show was "Summer Carnival," with lots of bright images that had a certain Disneyesque quality. This particular display became a popular spot for passersby to have their picture taken.  

Norwegian designer Espen Salberg never disappoints when he shows his elegant creations on the runway at Hong Kong Fashion Week.

Last year, Salberg, who resides in Indonesia, wowed everyone with his collection of sophisticated dresses that have simple lines but pack a punch. This year was no different when he showed what he could do with soft jersey and basic colors.

The temperature outside was hot and humid—think 91 degrees with 70 percent humidty—as Hong Kong Fashion Week kicked off July 5 with four days of fashion and business.

Ika, an Indonesian designer based in Hong Kong, brought a cooling trend to the show with her as-always incredible collection of fashions that, for Spring/Summer 2011, is taking its inspiration from the oceans of the world. 

Our global culture and its evolving nature are on everybody's minds, including fashion designers.

At Hong Kong Fashion Week, that concept was front and center at the runway show of Hong Kong-based deisigner Ika, who has been a staple of the catwalk crowd here for years.

Andreas Kronthaler, creative director for the Vivienne Westwood label and husband of the venerable English designer, was dressed as you would expect a creative director to be. Plaid pants, polka dot shirt, tweed blazer and a navy-blue hat to accent his blue eyes.

Hong Kong has never been known to be a city shy of fashion designers who put their stamp on world culture.

Vivienne Westwood and Andreas Kronthaler

For all the years that I have been going to Hong Kong Fashion Week, this is probably a first.

Fashion doyenne Vivienne Westwood will be presenting a runway show at Hong Kong Fashion Week, scheduled for Jan. 18-21, as well as hosting a pre-show cocktail party.