Shownotes: Unveil Fall Fashion at the Hive Studio’s Runway A/W 2023

Opening their doors to waves of trendy crowds who weave into the studio space with excitement, the Hive Studios welcomed the city’s fashionistas to their annual Autumn/Winter edition of the 2023 Runway Hong Kong fashion show. Paired with the show was a buzzing marketplace filled with local creators peddling unique garments and lifestyle goods that range from hand-poured scented candles to Hong Kong-themed crochet décor, with guests grazing on fresh popcorn while shopping from these wonderful small businesses.

The Hive's Regional Country Manager of Hong Kong, Thailand, and Vietnam at the Flexi Group, Christopher Lau dishes to The Beat Asia in anticipation of the evening’s presentation, stating “Year by year, each Runway show gets better and better. For us, the Hive is definitely about supporting the creatives, startups, new businesses, and local businesses. We’re very proud and fortunate [to be] in this position to support them, and we’re able to showcase talents in Hong Kong with this show.”

A visual tapestry of emerging talent, Runway A/W 2023 featured collections from Hong Kong e-commerce brand Holystreet, silk pieces from ANAPHE, street-inspired looks from YMDH, gowns from John Marcus Banday Mase, sustainable luxury by SZMAN, shoes by Kibo, curations by Style Carousel, menswear by ASTRA Tailoring, as well as the latest seasons from Victor Chan Studio and ABI. The evening also featured a special intermission performance by the Mixies, the vibrant dance crew helmed by Anisha Thai.

Serving up the glamour of the night, Victor Chan emphasized the “sparkly joy” of his works, sharing his vision of designing for clients who “appreciate the fashion and the craftsmanship of dressmaking.”

Known for his elegantly chic eveningwear and for providing stunning on-stage looks for Hong Kong celebrities like Gin Lee and Serrini, as well as the gorgeous silver gown donned by Rosemary Ling during her Miss International Hong Kong 2022 competition, Victor’s portion of the Runway show swept the crowd away with fluid fabrics and classically beautiful silhouettes.

Designer Abi Lau of ABI is similarly inspired by flowing aesthetics but instead draws from a specific set of imagery, specifically – photos from her travels to Iceland and Australia. Transforming the local natural landscapes into one-of-a-kind prints on her garments, she brings forward a representation of her love for mother earth, and her call for a more eco-conscious consumption in fashion.

Leading the show’s on-stage talent was the Hong Kong-based French model Lucie Petit, founder of modelling training and coaching platform HK MODEL CAMP. Stepping to join the crowd post-show, in her finishing look of a beautifully sculpted black tulle gown, Lucie dazzles as she admires the leaps in confidence her HK MODEL CAMP trainees have achieved in the spotlight.

“What Runway brings you, is that you feel great onstage, that’s the idea. Everyone becomes a model for a few minutes, [over] the time of the show. It’s so rewarding to see the evolution of [the trainee models], to just see them feel more like themselves, more relaxed, and more confident in general!”

Hosting bi-annual shows, Runway is a nonprofit platform that allows young and emerging talent in fashion and the creative sphere to bloom. An event that draws in fashionable crowds of all sorts, from dazzling local influencers to world-class creators, the mission to showcase talent and entrepreneurship is realized.

Encapsulating the evening, Lucie remarks on the Runway journey shared by all the hardworking teams involved in the event, from the designers displaying their artistic vision to the volunteers manning the front door and keeping the drinks pouring. “Everything is a big puzzle. Eventually, you see the big picture, and that becomes the masterpiece that it is.”