At a time when global retail and sourcing industries continue to navigate economic uncertainty, the latest edition of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s seven flagship lifestyle and licensing events demonstrated how cross-sector collaboration and design-led innovation are increasingly shaping the future of international trade.
Held across multiple halls in Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the fairs collectively attracted more than 95,000 buyers from 134 countries and regions, bringing together industries spanning gifts, homeware, fashion, packaging, licensing and cultural creativity.
A celebratory toast at the Joint Networking Reception brought together key industry leaders and representatives across Hong Kong’s trade, design and business sectors during HKTDC’s seven flagship lifestyle and licensing events. Pictured from left are Helena Chiu,Chairman of the Hong Kong Exporters’ Association, Jeffrey Lam, Chairman of the HKTDC Home InStyle and Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair Organising Committee, Algernon Yau,Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Jenny Koo, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, and Zacharias Cheng,President of the Innovative Entrepreneur Association (IEA).
Among the largest events were the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair, which welcomed more than 32,000 buyers, alongside Home InStyle and Fashion InStyle, both of which reflected growing conversations around sustainability, material innovation and lifestyle-focused design.
Across the exhibition grounds, buyers moved fluidly between homeware, fashion materials, packaging solutions and intellectual property showcases, revealing how design, branding and product development are becoming more interconnected than ever.
Jenny Koo, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, said the fairs highlighted Hong Kong’s role as a bridge between Chinese Mainland enterprises and global markets.
“The seven flagship events fully showcased Hong Kong’s distinctive strengths in lifestyle, cultural and creative design, brand development, and intellectual property, offering global buyers a rich and diverse array of sourcing options, while connecting exhibitors with international buyers and partners to unlock business opportunities,” she said.
One of the most talked-about additions this year was the debut of the “Reimagine” themed floor, which brought together innovative concepts from both the gifts and home sectors. The showcase highlighted how consumers are increasingly drawn towards products that combine functionality with sustainability and storytelling.
The Cultural and Creative Avenue at Home InStyle brought together over 110 design institutions and cultural brands from more than 10 countries and regions. The showcase also partnered with Pantone to present immersive home settings inspired by the 2026 Colour of the Year, “Cloud Dancer”, exploring how colour combinations can influence the mood and atmosphere of a living space.
At Home InStyle, material experimentation emerged as a recurring theme. Hong Kong exhibitor Lotux International Holdings introduced biodegradable products made from lotus stems and fibres, including eco-friendly cutlery and deodorising cat litter.
“Our innovative eco-friendly materials and pet products attracted strong interest from visitors,” said Sales Director Daphne Wan, who added that the company is already discussing collaborative developments with industry partners.
Meanwhile, the rise of wellness-focused and ageing-friendly innovation was also visible across the fairgrounds. Gerontechnology company allcareAI Limited made its debut with an infection-prevention mobile toilet designed for elderly care environments.
“In the first two days alone, we received over 20 enquiries,” shared CEO Phil Woo, noting interest from care homes, rehabilitation providers and international partners across Asia and Europe.
The Fashion Parade at NEXT@Fashion InStyle showcased designer garments created using innovative materials developed by global textile suppliers.
Fashion InStyle similarly reflected how material innovation is becoming central to the future of apparel design. The returning NEXT@Fashion InStyle zone featured over 60 global exhibitors specialising in next-generation textiles and experimental materials.
Among them was Hangzhou-based Textile Library, which showcased self-developed fabrics including warp-print textiles and crackle-finish materials. Founder Mary Ma said the response from buyers exceeded expectations.
“The materials drew strong interest and praise from international buyers and have already yielded several concrete cooperation intentions and promising follow-up business opportunities,” she said.
The Philippines joined NEXT@Fashion InStyle as this year’s featured partner, with exhibitors drawing strong interest from buyers exploring new collaboration opportunities across fashion and material innovation.
According to a survey conducted by the HKTDC among 1,541 exhibitors and buyers, nearly half of respondents expect sales growth over the next two years, despite ongoing concerns surrounding global economic volatility and geopolitical tensions.
Beyond sourcing, the fairs increasingly functioned as networking and business-matching platforms. Canadian homeware brand Umbra connected with suppliers across Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan and the Chinese Mainland, while buyers from the Middle East explored sustainable packaging alternatives for regional e-commerce markets.
The licensing segment also continued to grow in influence. The Hong Kong International Licensing Show gathered over 330 exhibitors and more than 600 intellectual property projects from across Asia Pacific.
The Hong Kong International Licensing Show gathered more than 330 exhibitors from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and across Asia Pacific, showcasing over 600 brands and intellectual property projects spanning arts and culture, animation, entertainment, sports and brand collaborations.
Speaking at the accompanying Asian Licensing Conference, Licensing International President and CEO Maura Regan observed that demand for immersive branded experiences continues to rise globally.
“Consumers continue to demand immersive experiences, from theme parks to branded hotels to pop-up shops to retail experiences,” she said.
Whether through sustainable materials, cultural storytelling, design collaborations or licensing opportunities, the events reflected how lifestyle trade today extends far beyond products alone.
For more information, visit HKTDC.
