Hong Kong is one of Asia’s most important fashion, retail and sourcing hubs. At the same time, sustainability, the circular economy, innovative materials and responsible production across the entire value chain are moving ever more firmly into the spotlight. For Austrian fashion, jewellery, footwear and textile companies, this creates an attractive starting point for positioning themselves in a dynamic market.
This is precisely where the Austrian Sustainable Fashion Delegation 2026 came in, organised by the Hong Kong office of ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA from 31 August to 5 September 2026. Seven Austrian designers, brands and industry experts came together with representatives of Hong Kong’s fashion and creative industries to build business contacts, explore market potential and initiate cooperation.
The delegation week in Hong Kong was only the visible part of a longer process. Online workshops and market information laid the substantive groundwork, personal preparatory meetings in Vienna sharpened individual objectives, and pitch and presentation training helped companies refine their appearance before an Asian specialist audience. These touchpoints throughout the entire journey paid off immediately on the ground.
The highlight was participation in CENTRESTAGE 2026 , one of Asia’s leading fashion fairs. In the Austrian joint pavilion in the Circular Zone, the participating companies showed how ecological responsibility, innovative materials and high-quality design can be combined into compelling products.
A dedicated AUSTRIA DAY provided space for a discussion round on sustainable fashion. The Austrian Sustainable Fashion Show demonstrated how closely craftsmanship, material and aesthetics interact – accompanied by a specially arranged composition by Viennese composer Christian Heschl .
Browse the full image gallery .
Away from the exhibition halls, the programme included networking events, targeted business matchmaking and individual discussions with potential distribution partners, buyers and cooperation partners. A visit to Lenzing Hong Kong also showed how an Austrian company is already successfully anchored in the Asian market.
With the support of FashionTouri, a group of participants was assembled that impressively reflects the breadth of Austrian innovation in the sustainable fashion sector:
- Lenzing AG: Global leader in sustainable specialty fibers, known for innovations such as TENCEL™.
- Cape de Coeur: Premium outerwear brand blending technical performance with sustainable design.
- dare2digress ARTS: Austrian label producing handcrafted, limited-edition artistic fashion pieces.
- km/a: Vienna-based upcycling brand transforming reclaimed materials into unique garments.
- MY MAGPIE Vienna : Jewelry brand using 3D printing and recycled materials to reinterpret Viennese design heritage.
- MONTREET: Circular economy specialist supporting sustainable business model innovation in fashion.
- woody: Traditional Carinthian manufacturer of handcrafted wooden footwear, known for durability and responsible sourcing.
Measurable results emerged already during and immediately after the fair. The renowned Hong Kong Monocle Store now carries models from the Carinthian shoe brand woody . Several participating brands were also featured in leading media such as Vogue and GQ , and an extensive contribution in the well-known lifestyle magazine Jessica . provided additional visibility for the entire initiative.
The energy of this week should not be lost: Salzburg boutique studio ATTIC Film captured what happened in Hong Kong – from the highlights on the fair stage to the voices of the participating companies. The cinematic shots will be up in this article very soon.
The experiences from this delegation confirm that demand for sustainable premium products, innovative materials, and responsible business concepts is steadily growing across Asia.
***The event is part of go-international, a joint initiative of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Economy, Energy and Tourism and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber.
This initiative took place as part of the ReFocus Austria initiative.
Companies interested in partnership opportunities, business matchmaking, further information about the participating Austrian brands are invited to contact:
Austrian Trade Commission / ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA
Catharina ETTEL and Elmo FUNG
T +852 2522 2388
E hongkong@advantageaustria.org
