Many in Hong Kong are familiar with the name Kev Yiu. Kev graduated in 2006 with three distinctions from a fashion and clothing design programme in the United Kingdom, and went on to found his first couture brand, Sovereign Romance, which was formally renamed KEV YIU Couture in 2013. With his insight into the female form and a relentless pursuit of luxurious detail and exquisite embroidery, Kev has earned numerous accolades including the Ten Outstanding Designers Award in 2014 and the WHOW Hong Kong 2016 Craftsmanship Award. He co-founded bridal label KEVOLIE with renowned actress Myolie Wu, joined hands with Hins Cheung to revive French heritage brand Sennet Frères, and in 2021 became the first designer in the Asia-Pacific region to receive official Disney authorisation to create couture collections for all 14 princesses.
This year, in answer to the 2026 CENTRESTAGE theme "Rhythm of the Heart," Kev presents "Inherited Silhouettes”, a collection that expresses longing and recounts his most intimate emotions. He transforms menswear elements from the 1970s and 80s into womenswear silhouettes, combining them with his signature fluid lines and masterful tailoring—all in memory of his father, who passed away this February. Kev has poured his heart into the collection, personally overseeing every stage of the design and production himself. Beyond expressing his feelings, how does he view his creative vision as it oscillates between international and local perspectives? How does he interpret what it means to be a Hong Kong designer? After reading this piece, each of us will surely have our own answer.
As the relationship between fashion and the environment becomes an increasingly important issue of our time, how should today's designers shoulder this responsibility? Founded in 2015, VEGAN TIGER is South Korea's first vegan fashion brand to champion the cruelty-free cause. Through clothing, the brand tells stories of life and coexistence, conveying its core philosophy of "Strength & Tenderness" through original art, refined silhouettes, and a contemporary design language.
VEGAN TIGER upholds cruelty-free production principles: None of its products use materials or ingredients of animal origin, and the production process involves no animal testing—a stance that has given the brand prominence in the fashion industry. The brand collaborates with a local Korean materials company to develop its signature "Hanji Leather," fusing Korean cultural traditions, contemporary fashion aesthetics, and social environmental awareness. Its use of waterless digital printing, recycled and biodegradable materials, and plastic-free packaging all serve to reduce environmental impact across every aspect of design and production. VEGAN TIGER’s all-female operation, its dedication to protecting the environment, and its diverse mixing of materials and colours are all key to the brand’s appeal.
Founded by designer Hazuki Miyamoto in 2020, MEKKI unexpectedly centres its brand around "electroplating". But this isn’t about a technical application to clothing, but rather a direct reference to the brand's core essence: Electroplating is a structural surface treatment, but when you put on a garment crafted with such delicate skill, anyone can shine. Whether that plated layer flakes away or is applied anew, the wearer will only sparkle more. Behind this poetic vision lies Miyamoto's wish to bring colour to everyone's life through clothing. The brand upholds the craft traditions of Japanese manufacturing, creating a distinctive tension between the sweet and the sharp through bold silhouettes and exquisite details.
In this CENTRESTAGE presentation, MEKKI shares with us the pivotal moments of the brand in finding its own rhythm, its observations on the diversity of Asian fashion, and how, within Japan's conservative market, independent designers find a balance between staying true to their aesthetic and expanding commercially.
