DesignInspire 2025 Bridges Hong Kong and Italian Creativity with Expanded International Showcase

The 2025 DesignInspire exhibition returns from December 3-6 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, featuring an exclusive VIP preview on opening day followed by three days of free admission for industry professionals and the public. Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and co-organized by the Hong Kong Design Centre, this year's event runs under the theme "Where Connections Spark Inspiration" and brings together diverse creative forces from around the world. The exhibition features over 250 exhibitors from 13 countries and regions, with Italy serving as the partner country for the concurrent Business of Design Week 2025 Summit.

Parisian design authority Maison&Objet returns with expanded presence under the identity Maison&Objet Intérieurs Hong Kong 2025, nearly doubling its footprint at the event. The strategic partner brings together 16 internationally celebrated designers and curators with over 200 brands, artisans and artists. Centered on the theme "Crossroads," the exhibition features three core sections: Design Factory focusing on sustainability and material innovation, Design Showcase presenting design excellence from seven global capitals, and Le Club business lounge for industry networking. Featured creators include Belgian designer Lionel Jadot, Thai bamboo artist Korakot Aromdee, French designer Hubert Le Gall, and Hong Kong architect Steve Leung.

International design master Alan Chan collaborates with UNVEIL and Su Chang Design Research Office to create BOTTEGA HONG KONG, drawing inspiration from Italy's alimentari and Hong Kong's traditional corner shop culture. The pavilion structure resembles an opened giant carton and features 15 brands from both regions showcasing furniture, lifestyle goods and design collectibles. A standout collaboration between Italy's century-old umbrella brand Francesco Maglia and Hong Kong heritage manufacturer Leung So Kee produces a bespoke umbrella adorned with the skylines of both locations. Chan also reimagines Giorgio Armani's 2010 gown using Hong Kong's traditional feather duster craftsmanship, blending folk traditions with Milanese couture.

Emerging artist Chilai Howard curates TINY STUDIO, bringing together 12 design collectives from Hong Kong and Italy within individual studio spaces inspired by Hong Kong's iconic 1980s-1990s street stalls. The exhibition features cross-disciplinary works blending design, art and technology, with a kinetic roof that moves like waves. Visitors can explore interactive experiences including digital art, music creation, sculpture, fragrance design and tattoo illustration. Highlights include collaborative sculptures by Hong Kong artist Danny Lee Chin-fai and Italian sculptor Francesca Bernardini, plus audiovisual works by music producer Edward Chan.

The event serves as a catalyst for international business cooperation with global pavilions from the Chinese Mainland, Czechia, Macao and Taiwan. The Czech Pavilion celebrates Bohemian glass tradition while the SHOP Zone gathers curated design pieces available for collection. Hong Kong fragrance brand Floriography joins as DesignInspire's first official "Scent Partner," adding olfactory aesthetics to the fair. Local institutions including the Hong Kong Design Institute present student works and traditional Chinese motif projects, while the Hong Kong Design Centre showcases over 200 DFA Design for Asia Award-winning pieces.

During the exhibition, the InnoTalks series features 14 sessions exploring forward-looking topics such as creative collectibles, IP development, AI applications and inclusive design. Creative workshops covering multi-sensory creation, art-tech integration and sustainable design allow public participation. Concurrent events including the Business of IP Asia Forum, Entrepreneur Day and Start-up Express: International Edition 2025 provide additional business networking opportunities, with one-on-one matching sessions connecting design service companies with innovative enterprises across the region. More information is available at https://designinspire.hktdc.com/en.