DesignInspire 2025 opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, running until 6 December, with free admission for industry professionals and the public from tomorrow. The event, sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) and organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) with co-organiser Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC), features over 260 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions. This convergence demonstrates Hong Kong's strategic position as an east-meets-west centre for international cultural exchange and commercial collaboration in the creative industries.
The importance of this event lies in its role as a global platform weaving creativity and commerce, unlocking design-led business opportunities since 2017. Sophia Chong, Executive Director of the HKTDC, stated that this year's DesignInspire unites global creative and business talents, presenting major international collaborations that underscore the event's mission as a world-class design platform. With Hong Kong's unique position as a global business hub, the event fosters international exchanges and collaboration that can lead to new partnerships and economic growth.
A key highlight is the upgraded presence of French design authority Maison&Objet under the new banner Maison&Objet Intérieurs Hong Kong 2025, featuring two signature pavilions: Design Factory and Design Showcase, and business lounge Le Club. Philippe Delhomme, Executive Board Chairman of Maison&Objet, noted that this year's showcase nearly doubles in scale from last year's debut, indicating growing international interest in Hong Kong's design market. The event website at https://designinspire.hktdc.com provides full details about the exhibition.
The international scope extends beyond France, with pavilions from the Chinese Mainland, Belgium, Czechia, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, South Korea, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates presenting diverse design viewpoints. The Czech Pavilion, for instance, showcases Prague-based brands Artisème, Braasi Industry and Pigmentarium, fusing centuries-old Bohemian crystal and porcelain craftsmanship with contemporary sensibilities. This cultural exchange has implications for preserving traditional crafts while adapting them for modern markets.
Cross-cultural narratives are further emphasized through two featured presentations. BOTTEGA HONG KONG, with Alan Chan as Creative Director, reimagines everyday aesthetics through an "open carton" inspired by Italy's alimentari and Hong Kong's "si dor" neighbourhood stores, showcasing Hong Kong and Italian talent including fashion brand FERRAGAMO and furniture design powerhouse Moroso. Meanwhile, TINY STUDIO, curated by emerging artist Chilai Howard, takes inspiration from Hong Kong's street stall culture to shape 12 studio pavilions hosting creators from both Hong Kong and Italy working across digital art, sound, scent, sculpture and hands-on workshops.
The business implications are significant, with DesignInspire hosting an exclusive VIP preview today that brings together leading creative and cultural organisations from Hong Kong and overseas, major institutions across various sectors, international enterprises and design service users and buyers. Participating companies span department stores, retail and residential development, hospitality and lifestyle brands, interior design practices and food and beverage groups, including Yves Saint Laurent Beauty from France, L'Oreal Luxe, Thai retail leaders The Mall Group and Central Retail, and India's Indian Institute of Interior Designers (IIID).
Professional development is addressed through 13 InnoTalks sessions and 20 creative workshops covering sustainable design, retro aesthetics and craftsmanship. Sessions like "Time Warp – When Nostalgia Meets the Future" explore how retro elements evolve into contemporary visual languages, while "Future development potential of Art Toy IP" analyses how designer toys forge unique value chains across art, collecting and commerce. These discussions have implications for design education and industry trends.
Technology integration represents another important dimension, with DesignInspire partnering with Tatler to present "The A.I. Atelier," an experience zone that blends design and technology. Powered by Preface, this zone explores creativity through artificial intelligence, analysing visitors' unique design styles and generating personalised visual creations on the spot. This demonstrates how AI is radically reshaping design language and forging a new era of intelligent synergy between design and technology.
Community inclusion initiatives show design's social impact, with DesignInspire collaborating with St. James' Creation under St. James' Settlement to promote artistic development for people in rehabilitation through "MusicCLAY – Noided Music Making Experience Workshop." The Hong Kong YMCA's the DOOOR arts space also joins the exhibition to integrate art into the community, highlighting design's role in social development.
Running concurrently with DesignInspire are three important HKTDC-led events – Business of IP Asia Forum, Entrepreneur Day and Start-up Express: International Edition 2025 – creating further synergies and business opportunities. One-on-one business matching will connect participants with design service firms and innovation companies worldwide, facilitating practical commercial outcomes from the creative exchange. The convergence of these events at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 4 to 5 December creates a comprehensive ecosystem for creative industry development.
The broader significance of DesignInspire 2025 lies in its contribution to Hong Kong's positioning as Asia's creative capital and its implementation of Hong Kong's role as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange under the National 14th Five-Year Plan. By bringing together diverse international participants while highlighting local Hong Kong talent, the event strengthens the city's creative economy and reinforces its status as a global design hub with tangible business outcomes and cultural exchange value.
