China by Design

Aside from the high-profile runway shows, Fashion Week and World Boutique offered fledgling designers the best opportunity to develop their brands. Glori Tsui, creative director of a new sustainable leather line called Methodology, showed her studded convertible jackets in Hong Kong to gauge interest from buyers, though the line will officially launch later this year in New York. “Hong Kong Fashion Week is a starting ground for designers,” she says. “Designers can meet buyers from around the world and get a kickstart.” Aniket Satam, a recent graduate of the  Somani Institute of Art and Fashion Technology in Mumbai, stood out in the sea of exhibitors for his punchy fabrics inspired by vintage gypsy embroidery, neon zippers, and skillful tailoring. He launched his label, A+ by Aniket, in the fall and exhibited this year in Hong Kong to obtain “diverse exposure” for his brand.

As the Hong Kong market grows in importance, both to China and the world, the designers coming out of Hong Kong will grow in importance to the fashion industry as well. Mao notwithstanding, it’s a fact that when designers make it in competitive China, they’re on track for a lucrative career.

Samantha Sault is a writer in Washington.