Hong Kong Design Centre

A Creative Tapestry Unfolds: Two Landmark Design Initiatives

This winter, Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) orchestrates its ambitious cultural exchange to date through two landmark initiatives: Business of Design Week (BODW) 2024 and its citywide programme, BODW in the city. While BODW 2024 brings global design leaders together at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 4 to 6 December, BODW in the city extends the creative dialogue across Hong Kong from 2 to 16 December, with over 60 design-driven events transforming the city into an unprecedented canvas of French-Asian creative exchange.

 

At the BODW 2024 pre-event press conference, (from left to right) Prof. Viveca Chan (Vice Chairman of HKDC), Prof. Eric Yim (Chairman of HKDC), Ms. Christile Drulhe (Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau), and Ms. Anna Cheung (Director, Service Promotion, HKTDC) share insights on the upcoming French-Hong Kong creative dialogue

 

BODW 2024 Summit: Asia's Premier Annual Event on Design, Innovation and Brands 

At the heart of this cultural celebration, BODW 2024 presents ‘Inter/Section: Design, Artistry and Innovation’ at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The summit gathers over 50 creative leaders from France, Hong Kong, The Mainland and around the world for three days of intensive dialogue and exchange. It also marks the first collaboration between BODW Summit and Motion Puls Design, bringing global motion design visionaries to the stage. Through keynote sessions, panel discussions, and exclusive presentations, global design masters will explore the intersection of tradition and innovation, craftsmanship and technology.

‘This partnership exemplifies the unique blend of tradition and modernity which defines French design,’ shares Christile Drulhe, Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, speaking about France's role as BODW 2024's Partner Country. ‘France has long been recognised for its craftsmanship, luxury, and deep-rooted cultural heritage, but it is also a leader in innovation.’ Her words carry particular resonance as 2024 marks both the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations and the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism, setting the stage for an unprecedented celebration of creative exchange at BODW 2024.

The summit's comprehensive programme features over 40 sessions spanning five key themes: Urban Futures, Brand & Retail Resurgence, Culture & Digital Aesthetics, Craftsmanship & Material Mastery, and AI & Future Tech. This gathering of creative minds promises to generate new perspectives on design's role in shaping our future.

The BODW 2024 Summit's key visual embodies its theme "Inter/Section: Design, Artistry and Innovation" through an elegant interplay of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design elements, symbolizing the convergence of French and Hong Kong creative excellence

Heritage Meets Innovation: A Confluence of Design Excellence

At BODW 2024's summit, the convergence of French and Hong Kong design philosophies reveals a fascinating interplay of tradition and innovation. French luxury powerhouses such as Louis Vuitton and Baccarat will showcase their legendary savoir-faire, with Dak Coutts and Clément Brunet-Moret sharing insights into how centuries-old craftsmanship remains relevant in contemporary design.

Meanwhile, Dr. Yannick Lintz, President of the Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts, will share how the museum promotes connections between Chinese and French cultures through exhibitions, extraordinary installations, and diverse cultural programmes.

BODW in the City transforms Hong Kong into an open design gallery from 2-16 December 2024. Discover the city's creative energy through exhibitions, workshops, installations and Design Citywalks, offering everyone a chance to experience design in everyday life.

BODW in the city: Design for All

Running parallel to the BODW 2024 summit, BODW in the city transforms Hong Kong into a vibrant design destination from 2 to 16 December. This extensive programme democratizes design by bringing creative experiences directly to the public through carefully curated installations, exhibitions, and interactive events across the city.

The initiative's scope spans multiple disciplines, from visual arts to music and gastronomy, creating an inclusive platform where design becomes accessible to audiences of all backgrounds. This citywide celebration reinforces Hong Kong's position as Asia's creative capital while providing unprecedented opportunities for public engagement with design.

  

Design Takes to the Streets: Citywide Celebrations

Throughout the two-week programme, BODW in the city presents over 60 events that animate Hong Kong's diverse neighborhoods. At Victoria Harbour, the Digital/Dynamic Art Light Show, curated by Motion Plus Design founder Kook Ewo in collaboration with animation powerhouse Gobelins, creates a spectacular dialogue between French creativity and Hong Kong's iconic skyline.

Notable highlights include the FILA x James Jean Installation at Harbour City, which explores themes of exploration and discovery through a mesmerizing blend of Eastern and Western aesthetic traditions. The V Music Live and Exhibition at Ocean Terminal Deck celebrates the intersection of design and sound, while the Hong Kong Fashion Festival - Motifx demonstrates how traditional patterns can be reimagined through contemporary design thinking.

Charting Tomorrow's Design Landscape: A Legacy of Innovation

As Hong Kong prepares to host both BODW 2024's summit and the citywide BODW in the city programme, these complementary initiatives promise to yield lasting impact beyond December. The launch of the ‘French Inspiration’ directory at bodw+, BODW’s online design knowledge platform, will serve as a permanent resource, connecting Asian creative professionals with French design excellence and facilitating ongoing collaboration between the two regions.

Looking ahead, this collaboration sets the stage for sustained creative exchange through multiple channels. Educational partnerships between institutions, ongoing cultural initiatives, and professional networks established during these events will continue to nurture the creative ecosystem of both regions. The debut of Maison&Objet Design Factory in Hong Kong, a first in its history, signals growing recognition of the city's role in the global design landscape.

For those eager to participate, BODW 2024's comprehensive summit programme offers multiple engagement opportunities, from keynote sessions and panel discussions with design masters to Meet-the-Speakers sessions. Meanwhile, BODW in the city's carefully curated thematic routes invite everyone to explore Hong Kong's design landscape through a fresh lens, making December 2024 a pivotal moment in the ongoing scene of French-Hong Kong creative partnership. Through these initiatives, Hong Kong reinforces its position as Asia's creative capital, while French design enriches its global influence through meaningful cultural exchange.

For the latest updates on BODW 2024 and BODW in the city programmes, visit https://www.bodw.com and https://www.bodwinthecity.com respectively, or follow HKDC's social media channels. Stay connected to be part of this extraordinary celebration of design excellence that will reshape Hong Kong's creative landscape this December.