A week-long international event is seen as a turning point for lifestyle industries
A generation ago, a 'Made in Hong Kong' stamp meant a product designed in the west and sent to Asia for cheap manufacturing.
But Hong Kong breaks out of that stereotype with today's launch of Business of Design Week, the city's first major international event of this kind.
It starts this morning with an address by British design guru Sir Terence Conran at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Other major speakers at the main event - the LifeStyleAsia conference - include Japan's Kenji Ekuan and representatives from Hermes, Philips, Nike, BMW, Hyatt Hotels, Cathay Pacific and Muji. Hundreds of designers and business executives from around the world are expected to attend.
'There has never been such a high-profile conference on design in Hong Kong,' said Douglas Young, founder of homeware and furniture shop G.O.D. 'Last year's event did not get nearly as much public interest. Design is going to be the talk of the town for the next week.'
Mr Young will speak on Tuesday about integrating Hong Kong culture into product design.
This is the second year the Hong Kong Design Centre has organised this event, although last year's debut was lower-key.