Fête Chinoise Exclusive: On the Ground in Hong Kong at the Inaugural Fashion Fest
Written by Deirdre Kelly
Photography: Deirdre Kelly

It was an affair to remember (to quote an old Hollywood movie set in Hong Kong), and Canada’s Fête Chinoise was there in the thick of it, mingling with Hong Kong’s best-dressed A-listers. Cantopop headliners, film stars, fashion designers, models, financiers, philanthropists, and other industry creatives and influencers gathered at the blowout Vogue Loves Hong Kong party held at West Kowloon Art Park on Thursday night.

Staged outdoors against the glittering backdrop of Victoria Harbour, the star-studded event manifested as a spectacle of style and culture, celebrating Vogue Hong Kong’s fifth anniversary and the established magazine’s budding relationship with the inaugural Hong Kong Fashion Fest.

The red carpet erupted with pure, unadulterated glamour. Chinese actress Fan Bingbing—a definite crowd favourite judging from the screams for selfies and autographs from fans who lined the venue’s entryway—delivered a true bombshell moment in a Stéphane Rolland gown that screamed high-fashion drama. It was a sculptural masterpiece with a neckline so architectural it could have been lifted from one of the modern art installations in the nearby M+ museum. Her entrance was a cinematic statement, stopping onlookers and turning heads with a look that was part haute couture, part performance art.

Fan Bingbing shared the spotlight with a constellation of international stars: CL from 2NE1 radiating punk-rock elegance; Wi Ha-jun from Squid Game exuding Korean heartthrob intensity and British actor Lucien Laviscount of Emily of Paris fame channelled his on-screen charm. Also at the party, Naomi Scott, known for her role in Power Rangers, and Eileen Gu, the US-born Chinese Olympic champion, exemplified how personal style can serve as a powerful symbol of self-empowerment.

Local luminaries blazed their own trail. Former Vogue cover girl Gaile Lok happily posed with Fête Chinoise magazine with effortless cool. World-renowned fashion designer Vivienne Tam bedazzled with her signature China chic style while model-turned-boxing instructor Angie Ng and singer-songwriter and MV director Tyson Yoshi added their unique stamp to the mix. Cantopop group MIRROR—reigning as one of Hong Kong’s most popular boy bands—electrified the crowd with their gender-fluid style and unapologetic preening for their fans’ phone cameras. Hong Kong singer-songwriter and record producer Terence Lam generated his own share of attention, dressed in a woollen sports jacket festooned with a large diamante brooch.

Attendees were invited to show off their own fashion statements at the Redress sustainable fashion booth, led by the non-profit’s visionary founder Christina Dean assisted by her Canadian-born executive director Nissa Cornish. The outdoor pop-up became an unexpected runway as people explored fashion that was as responsible as it was visually stunning, proving style and sustainability can dance together beautifully.

Music rocked exploded the venue, with Mirror, Lam and Yoshi taking the stage like conquering heroes. Their collective performance ignited the crowd, pushing the energy stratospheric.

Culinary delights from Devil’s Tea, Mak’s Brewery, and The Butchers Truck turned al fresco dining into an art form. Moët Hennessy champagne poured out like water, keeping the energy flowing all night long. This wasn’t just a party; it was a living magazine spread. Sprinkled among the Vogues was Fête Chinoise magazine, copies of which became coveted accessories. We came, we scened, we conquered.

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