HONG KONG | Marking its 11th edition this September, CENTRESTAGE has continued to reinforce Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s fashion hub with a fresh international outlook and cross-cultural perspectives.
At its grand opening show, CENTRESTAGE ELITES will spotlight KIT WAN STUDIOS, a multidisciplinary design and visual art studio led by Hong Kong-born creative director and visual artist Kit Wan.
Hong Kong has actively promoted a “Mega Events Economy” in recent years, with large-scale concerts and live performances becoming an increasingly important component of the city’s cultural and creative landscape.
Stage design and performance costumes have been integral elements of the audience experience at such events, and this year’s CENTRESTAGE ELITES has been acclaimed for merging manga and mythology with bespoke, highly detailed metalwork, multimedia installations and cinematic garment design.
As a performative costume designer and scenographer navigating the global entertainment industry, Wan has treated sets and lighting as collaborative canvases, seamlessly interweaving music, mood, and entertainment elements.
Designing stage armour for artists at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles and Eurovision in the United Kingdom has allowed Hong Kong design to shine on top-tier global stages.
KITWAN Studios will present its forthcoming collection fusing sci-fi inspirations with mechanical aesthetics, blurring the boundaries between collectable and wearable fashion. Its unique “abstract reality” approach has spanned everything from one-of-a-kind costume design to permanent museum exhibits. The studio has also been deeply rooted in Cantopop, injecting a vibrant vitality into Hong Kong’s entertainment and performing arts industry.
By infusing pop culture with avant-garde, bold and experimental aesthetics, Wan has pioneered a new visual dimension. He had first majored in knitwear design at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University before expanding his footprint to Amsterdam, after a short stint in London.
He then relocated to Norway, where he completed his MA in fashion design and became the first fashion designer to be honoured with the Norwegian government's “Young Artist Award”. His creations have been enshrined in the National Museum of Norway's permanent collection, elevating them to the status of timeless art.
Wan will lead a sharing session during CENTRESTAGE, offering insights into his creative journey and the studio's work, alongside a showcase of their innovative designs.
