DesignInspire 2025 opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, bringing together over 260 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions. The event, sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) and organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), runs until 6 December and offers free admission to industry professionals and the public from tomorrow. The fair aims to showcase how design connects culture, industry and everyday life through exhibitions, dialogues and workshops.
A key highlight this year is the return of French lifestyle and design authority Maison&Objet, presenting the upgraded Maison&Objet Intérieurs Hong Kong 2025. The curation, centred on the concept of “Crossroads,” features 16 internationally renowned designers and artisans and more than 200 brands. It includes Design Factory, curated by four international curators, and Design Showcase, connecting seven design capitals: Dubai, Hong Kong, Milan, New Delhi, Paris, Seoul and Shanghai. Italian brand Moroso presents a special installation, Resonant Landscapes, a public art installation curated by Creative Director Patrizia Moroso.
Sophia Chong, Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: “This year’s DesignInspire unites global creative and business talents, presenting major international collaborations that underscore the event’s mission as a world-class design platform. Artistic exchange is not only where ideas and inspiration are born – it also provides the opportunity to build new partnerships. With its unique position as a global business hub, Hong Kong is ideally placed to foster international exchanges and collaboration.”
Two anchor pavilions highlight cross-cultural narratives. BOTTEGA HONG KONG, with renowned design master Alan Chan as Creative Director, reimagines everyday aesthetics through an “open carton” inspired by Italy’s alimentari and Hong Kong’s “si dor” neighbourhood stores. It showcases talent from both places, including anothermountainman, Didi Ng, FERRAGAMO, Moroso, glass artist Lucia Massari, and Alessandro Stabile Design Studio. TINY STUDIO, curated by emerging artist Chilai Howard, takes inspiration from Hong Kong’s street stall culture and features 12 studio pavilions with creators from Hong Kong and Italy working in digital art, sound, scent and sculpture.
International pavilions from the Chinese Mainland, Belgium, Czechia, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, South Korea, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates present diverse design viewpoints. The Czech Pavilion showcases Prague-based brands Artisème, Braasi Industry and Pigmentarium, featuring Bohemian crystal and porcelain craftsmanship. First-time exhibitors include the Hefei Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, Ikatan Arsitek Indonesia and the Macao Product Design Association.
DesignInspire has partnered with Tatler to present “The A.I. Atelier,” an experience zone that uses artificial intelligence to analyse visitors’ design styles and generate personalised visual creations, demonstrating how AI is reshaping design language. Local exhibitors also unveil new designs, such as GERI, an intelligent textile technology company, which collaborates with graphic design master Kan Tai-keung to debut a new series of smart handbags.
The InnoTalks series returns with 13 sessions covering topics such as nostalgia in design, the future of art toy IP, multisensory design, and sustainable interiors. Creative workshops open to the public include cyanotype printing, light sculpture, stone painting, miniature art, paper craft and candle-making, many drawing inspiration from Hong Kong motifs. DesignInspire also collaborates with St. James’ Creation and the Hong Kong YMCA’s the DOOOR arts space to promote community inclusion through art.
Running concurrently are three HKTDC-led events: Business of IP Asia Forum, Entrepreneur Day and Start-up Express: International Edition 2025, taking place from 4 to 5 December at the HKCEC. One-on-one business matching will connect participants with design service firms and innovation companies worldwide.
