Business of Design Week 2017 Made a Difference
The highly successful 2017 Business of Design Week (BODW), officially came to a close on 9 December.
Guided by the curatorial theme “Italy Makes A Difference”, it brought to Hong Kong some of Italy’s most influential designers and thought leaders, who shared their own insights to embolden the global creative community and inspire the next generation of design talent. The week-long flagship event brought to Hong Kong some of the world’s most influential and inspirational design masters, brand leaders and business figures across industry and sector, who inspired an international audience of over 120,000 on the merits of good design, along with other concurrent programmes throughout the week.
Italy hands the baton of Official Partner for BODW 2018 to the city of Melbourne, the first city in the southern hemisphere to partner with the event. Melbourne has become one of the world’s most diverse and progressive centres of design and innovation, globally renowned for its deep respect of design heritage as well as its championing of new ways of approaching design.
“Design is in the DNA of Melbourne. It’s a huge part of our past – and it will play a key role in shaping the city’s identity in the future. We can’t wait to be back here again next year to showcase our city as a design leader that is proud to think, collaborate and create, ” says Martin Foley, MP, Minister for Creative Industries, State Government of Victoria, Australia.
Complementing BODW 2017 were a series of concurrent programmes around Hong Kong. One of which titled “Fashion Challenges” Forum, organized by FASHION ASIA 2017 HONG KONG, invited internationally renowned leaders which included Vivienne Tam, Professor Datuk Dr. Jimmy Choo OBE and other local and international fashion industry leaders gathered to address of-the-moment topics.
The first day themed, “Future Fashion”, addressed topics that are set to dominate headlines in 2018 such as sustainability, the continual rise of China, the digital transformation of retail and more. Day two titled “Insider Insights” delved into the minds of the industry’s most influential entrepreneurs, creative, influencers and designers as they shared their secrets to success and longevity in the fickle world of fashion.
The rich programme of BODW 2017 expanded the creative horizons of the general public, ensuring that the creative spirit will continue to be felt citywide.
BODW 2017 welcomed more than 70 creative minds across industry and sector to inspire audience in a broad scope of programmes pertaining to design, innovation and brands
Fashion Challenges
Mr Martin Foley, MP, Minister for Creative Industries, State Government of Victoria, Australia, delivers his remarks