The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) is proud to announce Global Gateways Hong Kong 2026, an export mission that will place up to seven Australian designers in front of Asia's leading buyers and press at CENTRESTAGE, Hong Kong from 2-5 September 2026.
Building on the success of our 2025 pilot at CENTRESTAGE, which generated more than 115 buyer contacts and secured Tier 1 media coverage across Australia and Hong Kong, this year's mission includes:
- Three day trade show pavilion for seven designers;
- Export readiness education program;
- Events for tier one media, government partners and KOL engagement;
- Buyer matchmaking;
- Press and KOL campaign; and
- Structured follow-up to sustain in-market momentum.
REMOVING BARRIERS TO MARKET ENTRY
The program is delivered in partnership with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and powered by the Accessing New Markets Initiative, offering a structured, government-backed pathway into Asia with virtually no upfront cost to participating brands.
Export Readiness Program
As part of the Global Gateways program, we're offering AFC Members and Industry an Export Readiness Program to help you work out if it's time to take your brand overseas. Hong Kong and Paris are two of the strongest wholesale markets for Australian fashion, with real buyer demand and a clear path in through AFC's Global Gateways trade missions. Across three sessions, you'll cover the funding, entry models, pricing and buyer expectations that turn a market visit into a stockist. Register Below.
Hong Kong is Australian fashion's gateway to Asia, a concentrated entry point into APAC and Northern Asia. The AFC's presence at CENTRESTAGE puts Australian designers in front of the region's leading buyers and press, with government-backed diplomacy converting visibility into lasting trade relationships.
Last year's pilot generated 115+ buyer contacts across seven brands, secured Tier 1 media coverage in Australia and Hong Kong, and hosted a DFAT Consul-General reception with buyers, media and government officials. Brands also went on to continue on diplomatic missions to Beijing for China Fashion week and participate in pop-ups within a Japanese department store.
The AFC will extend its trade-show pavilion at CENTRESTAGE with an expanded press program and sharper buyer matchmaking, directly responding to the export diversification needs raised by members following recent U.S. tariff exposure. Powered by the Accessing New Markets Initiative, brands participate at virtually no upfront cost.
Selection is AFC member-first across three pathways: an Australian Fashion Week track; a national competitive track; and embedded First Nations placements. Designers are assessed on export readiness, commercial viability, collection strength and capacity to convert buyer engagement into wholesale outcomes.
“Hong Kong proved what Global Gateways can do: in-market presence, government backing and a united Australian front turned visibility into real buyer relationships across Asia. In 2026 we are scaling that success, giving more Australian designers a structured, lower-risk pathway into one of the world's most important regions for fashion. This is exactly the kind of export diversification our members have asked us for.”
Marianne Perkovic, Executive Chair, Australian Fashion Council
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