Media OutReach
Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association presents “VIRTUOSE: The Artistry of Couture 2025” Unfolded on Stage on November 22
A couture spectacle set against Hong Kong’s iconic harbour skyline at Pier 4, Central, cementing Hong Kong’s role as a global couture capital
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 December 2025 – Organised by the Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association (HKFDA) and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, “VIRTUOSE: The Artistry of Couture” took place on November 22, 2025, at Central Ferry Pier 4 as the opening program and a flagship event of Hong Kong Fashion Fest 2025. As one of the most significant annual events for Hong Kong’s fashion community, the show celebrated couture excellence while supporting the development of Hong Kong’s cultural and creative industries and showcasing the city’s creative strength and competitiveness on the international fashion stage.
A Sensorial Journey from Day to Night
November 22 marked the official presentation of the two VIRTUOSE shows. The Day Show and opening ceremony commenced at 3pm, followed by the Night Show at 7pm. Set against the stunning backdrop of Victoria Harbour, Central Ferry Pier 4 transformed into a captivating runway for two intimate yet opulent shows. These meticulously curated presentations offered a sensorial journey from day to night, unveiling couture against Hong Kong’s urban skyline to create a visual symphony of culture and elegance. Both shows were live-broadcasted on VIRTUOSE’s IG and HKFDA’s YouTube, bringing this immersive visual celebration to audiences worldwide.
Miss LAW Shuk Pui, Rosanna, JP, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ms Lai Sai Ming, Drew, Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Ms IP Man Yee, Yvonne, Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Mr Kevin Yeung, Chairman of Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association, and Ms Bonita Cheung, Conceptual & Project Director, VIRTUOSE: The Artistry of Couture joined the Day Show to officially unveil the Opening Program of Hong Kong Fashion Fest 2025, with guests in attendance witnessing this remarkable occasion.
‘”VIRTUOSE” is more than a fashion show—it is a celebration of exceptional artistry, creativity, and craftsmanship that brings together different cultures and perspectives,’ said Mr. Kevin Yeung, Chairman of Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association at the opening ceremony. Ms Bonita Cheung, Conceptual & Project Director, VIRTUOSE: The Artistry of Couture, added, ‘In this tapestry of couture, diverse designers unite, weaving stories that spark a dialogue of culture and creativity; a poetic feast for the eyes.’
Dominic Lam, Ana R, Eunis Chan, Lilian Ho, Mandy Tam, Hazel Lam, Sophie Yip, Carman Kwan, Manson Cheung, Winky Wong, Archie Sin, Oscar Tao, Alex Lee set the stage at Day Show with their support. As evening fell, fashion luminaries, collectors from around the world including Bryan Boy, Susie Lau, Irene Kim, Yoyo Cao, Jenny Tsang, Hanan Besovic; together with local celebrities & fashionista including Simon Yam, Qi Qi, William Chang, Patricia Ha, Kathy Chow, Nicola Cheung, Amanda S, Angie Ng, Carl Ng, Jeannie Ng, Sabrina Cheung, Gigi Cheung, Bruce Tong, Chris Tong, Victoria Tang, Elly Lam, Hilary Fan lit up the Night Show with their presence. Each guest was captivated by a celebration of exquisite craftsmanship and refined sophistication.
Cementing Hong Kong’s Role as a Global Couture Capital
More than a fashion show, “VIRTUOSE: The Artistry of Couture” served as an artistic dialogue that transcended cultures and borders. The inaugural edition last year had garnered widespread acclaim, capturing attention from designers and fashion communities around the world. Now firmly established as a hallmark of exceptional craftsmanship of global couture, the event became a luminous platform for international fashion exchange in Hong Kong, affirming the city’s status as a vibrant nexus where East meets West in style and vision.
By honing its focus to four exceptional and seasoned designers, “VIRTUOSE: The Artistry of Couture 2025” amplified the narrative of each creator, ensuring a more profound cultural exchange between East and West. The event reinforced Hong Kong’s growing reputation as a global couture capital, standing alongside Paris as a beacon of sartorial excellence, and highlighted its pivotal role in the international fashion landscape.
A Visual Feast Celebrating Diverse Styles and Cultures
Curated as an artistic and cultural dialogue between four exceptional designers, VIRTUOSE 2025 featured Peet Dullaert from France, Tomo Koizumi from Japan, Zhaoyi Yu from Chinese Mainland, and Caroline Hu from Hong Kong, China. Together, these designers presented 40 meticulously crafted couture ensembles in two immersive fashion shows.
Based in Paris, France, Peet Bullaert (@peetdullaert) is a designer who’s redefining the language of tailoring through fluidity, movement, and emotion, with a strong commitment to sustainable luxury. Recognized by Vogue France as one of the designers who are environmentally engaged and working to make a difference for the oceans. Guided by a philosophy of harmony between body and garment, Peet sculpts silhouettes that flow rather than conform — balancing innovation with an intimate respect for the human form. For Virtuose, he presented his vision of elegance rooted in progress — where craftsmanship meets consciousness, and every gesture becomes design.
Tomo Koizumi (@tomo_koizumi), one of the leading creative forces in contemporary Japanese fashion, redefines couture through colour, volume, and imagination. His iconic ruffles are more than decoration — they are expressions of freedom, play, and joy. Behind the spectacle lies an artist deeply connected to emotion, transforming layers of organza into movement and light. At Virtuose, Tomo brought his fearless spirit to Hong Kong, turning exuberance into art — and reminding us that beauty can also be bold.
A designer whose creations live between structure and emotion, Zhaoyi Yu (@zhaoyi.official) is trained in both traditional craftsmanship and contemporary form, weaving the language of heritage into modern silhouettes — precise, sculptural, and deeply human. Every fold, every seam reflects his pursuit of balance — between logic and feeling, restraint and release. For Virtuose 2025, Yu unveiled a vision where architecture meets soul, and craftsmanship becomes poetry.
Caroline Hu (@carolineqiqi), a designer whose work speaks in whispers of emotion and memory. Caroline’s vision is rooted in intimacy — in the quiet, fragile beauty of the human experience. Her silhouettes breathe with softness; her fabrics capture light the way brushstrokes capture feeling. At Virtuose 2025, she brought home a world shaped by sensitivity and grace — where every thread tells a story of emotion made visible.
Exclusive Trunk Shows and Fireside Chat today & Tuesday
Following the runway extravaganza, a two-day trunk show was held on 24 & 25 November, offering media and client an exclusive opportunity to engage directly with the designers and their work, as well as a unique ordering experience. The event fostered the exchange of the latest insights from the international fashion market and deepened the appreciation among Eastern and Western designers and clients for diverse aesthetics, traditions and cultures, marking a new chapter for Hong Kong as a cross-regional hub for couture.
A fireside chat hosted by Hanan Besovic — a leading voice in fashion and creator of the acclaimed Instagram account @ideservecouture, renowned for his insightful and engaging commentary on fashion. Joined by four designers, the event took place on November 25, 2025, and welcomed students, industry professionals, and the public to an intimate dialogue exploring the creative process, cultural exchange, and the future of couture.
VIRTUOSE: The Artistry of Couture 2025 is organised by Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency as a programme of the Hong Kong Fashion Fest which is presented by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Webpage: www.virtuose.com.hk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virtuosehk
IG: https://www.instagram.com/virtuose.hk/
Supporting Organisations (in random order)
- Hong Kong Trade Development Council
- Hong Kong Design Centre
- PMQ
- Textile Council of Hong Kong
- The Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Garment Manufacturers Association
- Federation of Hong Kong Industries
- Knitwear Innovation and Design Society
- Hong Kong Apparel Society
- Clothing Industry Training Authority
- Hong Kong Designers Association
- Hong Kong Interior Design Association
- Hong Kong Fur Federation
- Hong Kong Fashion Council
- Fashion Farm Foundation
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Fashion & Textiles
- Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Design Institute
- Saint Francis University
- Hong Kong Institution of Textile and Apparel
Hashtag: #Virtuose2025 #HKFDA #TheArtistryOfCouture #hkfashionfest #HongKongFashionFest #CSTB #CCIDAHK
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Hong Kong Fashion Fest
Announced by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive in the 2023 Policy Address, “Hong Kong Fashion Fest” will be organised to develop Hong Kong into a fashion design hub in Asia. Through consolidating various fashion design events and introducing innovative elements and affiliate activities annually, the Hong Kong Fashion Fest promotes Hong Kong’s fashion and textile design brands and boosts Hong Kong’s position as a prime destination for hosting mega cultural and creative events. The second edition of Hong Kong Fashion Fest will be held from 22 November and 7 December 2025 at various cultural landmarks and iconic design and fashion locations in Hong Kong. The event will promote digital fashion and sustainable fashion in collaboration with Paris Fashion Week and Milan Fashion Week; attract fashion design industry players from all over the world to participate in Hong Kong; foster collaboration, innovation and business opportunities; establish platform for local and international fashion designers and brands and connect with different sectors in the fashion design industry of Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and overseas, thereby consolidating Hong Kong’s position as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
About Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association (HKFDA)
The Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association (HKFDA) was founded in 1984 by a group of successful and enthusiastic local fashion designers. As a non-profit making and self-financed organization, it aims to unite fashion designers, with both professionalism and expertise, to develop and better both their careers and the industry with and beyond the territory.
With supports from the industry and fellow designers in the past years, the Association has evolved to a key platform to share ideas and experiences through organizing fashion events such as catwalk shows, exhibitions, seminars, interviews and group discussions. Reputed not only as an official unit of Hong Kong fashion elites who provides excellent services with expertise, the HKFDA joins its force to promote the industry with other organizations and hence is recognized as one of the leading fashion institutions in Hong Kong, the Mainland and other cities in the Asia Pacific region.
About Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) established in June 2024, formerly known as Create Hong Kong (CreateHK), is a dedicated office set up by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR Government) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau to provide one-stop services and support to the cultural and creative industries with a mission to foster a conducive environment in Hong Kong to facilitate the development of arts, culture and creative sectors as industries.. Its strategic foci are nurturing talent and facilitating start-ups, exploring markets, promoting cross-sectoral and cross-genre collaboration, promoting the development of arts, culture and creative sectors as industries under the industry-oriented principle, and promoting Hong Kong as Asia’s creative capital and fostering a creative atmosphere in the community to implement Hong Kong’s positioning as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange under the National 14th Five-Year Plan.
Disclaimer: The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organisers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.
Media OutReach
Empowering Hongkongers to Build Side Businesses — Asia Coach Group Partners with E-Commerce Educator Francisco Ho to Launch the New “10x E-Commerce System” Course
Nearly 40% of Hongkongers Run a Side Business — E-Commerce Emerges as the New Frontier
According to a Glassdoor-Harris poll, nearly 40 per cent of Hongkongers maintain a side business to meet rising living costs. A separate Statista survey found that 64 per cent of Hong Kong e-commerce operators expect revenue growth of 10 to 20 per cent in 2026. As digital tools become more accessible and barriers to entry continue to fall, a growing number of professionals and young entrepreneurs are turning to independent branded online stores to broaden their business reach, driving a surge in demand for systematic e-commerce knowledge and hands-on operational skills.
A New Entrepreneurial Pathway for Professionals
Francisco Ho said: “More and more professionals in Hong Kong are exploring how to turn their expertise or personal interests into a sustainable brand. The appeal of e-commerce lies in its relatively low barrier to entry and its potential for scalability. You don’t need to leave your day job to build a business from the ground up. The 10x E-Commerce System is built for exactly these individuals — offering a practical, actionable framework that turns ‘I want to give it a try’ into a concrete first step.”
The programme moves beyond the conventional reliance on third-party marketplace platforms, teaching participants to establish independently branded online stores. Through data-driven product selection strategies, seasonal consumer psychology analysis, and AI-powered tools, learners are equipped to capitalise on peak holiday shopping periods.
Four Core Modules — Building a Complete E-Commerce Skill Chain
The curriculum is structured around four core modules that together form a comprehensive e-commerce skill chain. The “P.V.S. Value Bundling Method” leverages data-driven insights for precision product selection and high-margin product development. The “S-Tier Supply Chain Alliance System” establishes asset-light partnership models that reduce capital pressure and inventory risk. The “KOL Traffic Monetisation Engine” provides a replicable framework for influencer collaboration and short-form video traffic generation. Finally, the “AI Growth Flywheel” integrates automated customer service, AI-powered predictive product selection, and dynamic pricing mechanisms, working in tandem with the Shopify platform to enable highly efficient, automated store operations — allowing participants to sustain and grow their business even while maintaining full-time employment.
A Homegrown Mentor with a Global Footprint
Course instructor Francisco Ho is the founder of two online stores each generating over HKD 100 million in annual revenue, with combined annual sales exceeding USD 17 million. His business portfolio spans Korean cosmetics brand BLESSEDMOON, investment firm COLLECTED GROWTH, and the business programme Pitching Dojo. Having launched a large-scale online store and established his own manufacturing facility at the age of 20, Ho is a member of the World Elite Leaders Alliance and has to date mentored over 100 students in successfully scaling their e-commerce businesses.
As Hong Kong’s e-commerce market enters a phase of accelerated growth, the data-driven and AI-empowered approach championed by the 10x E-Commerce System represents a vital resource for local entrepreneurs seeking to ride the digital economy wave and break through in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Hashtag: #Ecommerce #Business #Entrepreneurship #Coaching #FranciscoHo #10xEcommerceSystem
https://asiacoachgroup.com/The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Asia Coach Group
Founded in 2019, Asia Coach Group is a premier business education institution serving professionals and organisations across Asia. Our mission is to develop high-calibre business leaders and equip them with the skills, strategies, and mindset to drive measurable results.
To date, we have trained over 10,000 participants — from C-suite executives and seasoned professionals to first-time founders — generating more than HKD 300 million in cumulative revenue. Our faculty comprises six domain-expert instructors specialising in e-commerce, sales, investment, and corporate performance training.
Media OutReach
Only 1 in 5 Professionals in Singapore and Malaysia Demonstrate AI-Ready Skills, New Epitome Data Reveals
Aggregated multi-year assessments in Singapore and Malaysia highlight skills gaps as AI adoption accelerates
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 February 2026 – As artificial intelligence adoption accelerates across organisations, new data from workforce intelligence company Epitome Global signals that skills gaps may constrain the next phase of AI-driven productivity.
Based on aggregated skills assessments conducted across Singapore and Malaysia between 2023 and 2025, only around one in five professionals consistently demonstrate characteristics associated with AI-ready skills, including persistence, curiosity and reflective learning.
The findings are drawn from assessment data involving more than 200 participants across workforce development, employability and organisational programmes. While more than 70% of participants report advanced digital literacy, deeper skills gaps remain: approximately 56% rate themselves at a basic level in decision-making, and around 42% report only basic confidence in computational thinking, skills increasingly required to supervise AI tools, interpret outputs and integrate technology into workflows.
The data signals that as AI tools become more accessible, workforce readiness, rather than technology availability, may emerge as the primary constraint on performance in 2026.
“AI tools are scaling faster than workforce readiness,” said Kevin Chan, CEO of Epitome Global. “In the next phase of adoption, the differentiator will not be access to technology, but clarity around what people can actually do, how they make decisions, adapt and collaborate with AI-enabled systems.”
Five Workplace Trends to Watch in 2026
Based on these findings, Epitome identifies five workplace trends expected to shape organisations in 2026:
- Disengagement and skills decay as rising risks to productivity and performance: Only around 1 in 5 workers consistently display behaviours associated with AI ready talent, such as persistence, curiosity and reflective learning.
- Rapid AI adoption in the workplace in 2025 revealed gaps in AI integration: Despite strong uptake, 65% of organisations in Singapore remain focused on basic AI use cases, highlighting limits in scaling and embedding AI into workflows.
- Workers across Southeast Asia and India shifting from cost based outsourcing toward higher value technical roles: Professionals in markets such as the Philippines, Vietnam and India are expanding into engineering, product, IT and data science functions, competing more directly in global talent markets.
- Intensifying fire and hire cycles as organisations rebalance skills: In 2026, companies will continue to cut roles that no longer match future needs while hiring selectively for advanced technical and cross functional capabilities.
- Senior employability becoming more strategic in AI driven organisations: As Asia ages, employers are looking at how senior professionals can contribute as knowledge carriers, reviewers of AI assisted outputs and cross functional mentors.
As organisations move further into 2026, differences in outcomes are likely to be shaped less by the number of AI tools deployed and more by how clearly organisations understand, measure and develop workforce skills.
For the full market commentary, visit: https://epitome.global/
Hashtag: #epitomeglobal #technology #singapore #business #AI
https://epitome.global/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/epitome-global-pte-ltd/?originalSubdomain=sg
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Epitome Global
Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Singapore, Epitome Global is a workforce intelligence and skills analytics company that helps organisations understand, develop and deploy talent in an AI-enabled economy. Combining data analytics, artificial intelligence and sector-specific expertise, Epitome Global supports public and private sector organisations in workforce planning, skills assessment and targeted upskilling.
With approximately 1.3 million user profiles captured to date, Epitome Global leverages human capital analytics to power dashboards and workforce decision-making for enterprises and government agencies globally. Its platforms inform decisions around talent mobility, skills development and workforce transformation at scale.
Media OutReach
Lee Kum Kee Sauce Serves as Platinum Sponsor of the 2026 Chinese New Year Festival & Market Day
Bringing Festive Flavours and Delicious Moments to the Community
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 February 2026 – Lee Kum Kee Sauce (“Lee Kum Kee”), the global leader of Asian sauces and condiments, marked a successful debut as the Platinum Sponsor of the 2026 Chinese New Year Festival & Market Day in Auckland. Co-hosted by the Auckland Chinese Community Centre (ACCC) and Channel 33, this festival was held on 14 February 2026, in celebration of the upcoming Year of the Horse, bringing together families, community groups, and cultural performers.
Set against the backdrop of the Auckland Showgrounds, the festival featured over 200 specialist stalls offering traditional Chinese hot delicacies, festive foodstuffs and traditional arts and crafts, attracting over 20,000 visitors. The extensive entertainment programme included lion dances, traditional Chinese songs and performances that brought the spirit of the celebrations to life.
Lee Kum Kee set up a captivating booth experience for festivalgoers of all ages, allowing them to explore an extensive range of sauces through delectable tastings, exclusive promotional sales, and the exciting “Chopstick Lucky Dip” prize-giving game, which drew enthusiastic participation throughout the event.
In serving the local community, Lee Kum Kee aims to bring traditional festive moments to life. Gary Hui, Business Development Director – Oceania of Lee Kum Kee Sauce, remarked, “Spring Festival represents family, togetherness, and the joy of sharing meals. We are proud to support an event that reflects these values. Whether you are discovering new tastes or enjoying familiar favourites, we hope this festival brings joy and connection to all.”
A trusted household name for generations, Lee Kum Kee is renowned for its authentic Asian sauces that inspire home cooking and festive dining. Through on-going community partnerships and cultural celebrations, Lee Kum Kee remains committed to supporting local communities while promoting Chinese culinary culture worldwide through the joy of food.Hashtag: #LeeKumKee #LKK
https://www.LKK.comThe issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Lee Kum Kee
Lee Kum Kee is the global gateway to Asian culinary culture, dedicated to promoting Chinese culinary culture worldwide. Since 1888, it has brought people together over joyful reunions, shared traditions, and memorable meals. Beloved by consumers and chefs alike, Lee Kum Kee’s range of more than 300 sauces and condiments sparks creativity in kitchens everywhere, inspiring professional and home chefs to experiment, create, and delight. Headquartered in Hong Kong, China and serving over 100 countries and regions, Lee Kum Kee’s rich heritage, unwavering commitment to quality, sustainable practices, and “Constant Entrepreneurship” combine to enable superior experiences through Asian cuisine for people worldwide. For more information, please visit www.LKK.com.
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