Asia's top fashion fairs to kick off in Hong Kong

Models pose for photos after a fashion show during a press conference of Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter and World Boutique, Hong Kong in Tsim Sha Tsui, south China's Hong Kong, Jan. 3, 2013. (Xinhua/Jin Yi).

Two major fashion fairs will kick off concurrently on Jan.14 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center and run until Jan. 17.

Sponsored by Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter and HKTDC World Boutique are the largest of its kind in Asia, attracting over 1800 exhibitors from 30 countries.

This year's Hong Kong Fashion Week will feature two new product zones, "Fashion Jewellery Feast" and "Men in Style", while the HKTDC World Boutique will display collections of over 500 international fashion brands including Che Che New York, MARCCAIN, and IKA BUTONI.

Selected handbag items from Che Che New York official website.

Selected collections from MARCCAIN.

The HKTDC World Boutique will continue its annual fashion extravaganza showcasing latest collections of internationally renowned designers, including Beijing's Chi Zhang, London's Holly Fulton, Paris' Nana Aganovich and Brooke Taylor designer duo, as well as Hong Kong's Johanna Ho.

Johanna Ho, a leading cloth designer in Hong Kong, will showcase her collections featuring knitting and weaving on the fashion extravaganza. Her design is distinctive for a fusion of opposing elements – rock 'n'roll but sweet, sculptural yet romantic, fits perfectly with Leanne’s organic, almost fantasy flower paintings and prints. Her design concept also focuses on eco-friendliness by using zero wastage pattern cutting techniques for each design, in which each garment has no leftover fabric wastage.

Fashion designer Johanna Ho (center) pose for a photo with twomodels wearing clothes of her own designs.

To encourage more people to join the two fashion events, HKTDC has held a city-wide campaign calling on local fashion trendsetters to join a street snap competition. Participants can upload their most stylish pictures on the Hong Kong in Fashion website. Those receiving most "likes" by Facebook friends will have a chance to win prizes with a total value of over HK$100,000.

Meanwhile, various fashion parades will be held at Harbour City and Time Square, including baby fashion extravaganza and display of the world's widest Afro wig. Local fashion retailers and restaurants will be offering World Boutique free tickets and fashion show tickets to its customers.