Why Asia is the new fashion capital of the world

Ranked the fourth most fashionable city in Asia, Hong Kong’s fashion scene embraces authentic Chinese culture with an excellent fusion of Western styles for an on-trend experience that you’ll never forget. The shopping scene in Hong Kong will put every Westfield centre to shame – think lively street markets selling silky Chinese kimonos and high-end department stores offering items labelled with the world’s most impressive names. Oh, and did we mention that all fashion articles in this stunning city are tax-free? Find out the best places for all things retail with our Shopper’s Guide to Causeway Bay.

Like all major fashion cities, Hong Kong displays its gorgeous clothing during two yearly Fashion Weeks, showcasing the latest lines and incredible up-and-coming designers that are just waiting to take the industry by storm. The first shows of the year reveal the fall and winter lines while the seven-day event in July is allocated to spring and summer designs. Keep your eye out – who knows, maybe you’ll spot the latest trend and get ahead of the curve before the rest of the world catches on!

Hong Kong awaits! Here is even more information on this beautiful city.
 

Where do we begin with Tokyo? A fashion capital within its own right, the Japanese superpower knows how to break out of the box in style when it comes to unusual clothing and out-there accessories. From geishas and cyberpunks to business men and trendy teenagers, every passer-by in the city will make you stop, stare and wonder “where can I get clothes like that?”. We’re here to put your mind at rest. The likes of vintage stores, denim shops and lively markets are found around every corner alongside high-end shopping malls for all your designer label desires. Tokyo is a city where everything and anything goes so even if you’re on the hunt for the most flamboyant outfit, districts such as Harajuku, Shibuya, Ginza and Yarakucho are where you’ll find them.

In Harajuku especially, fashion becomes more than clothing – it’s an act of self-expression. Japanese teenager tribes in this iconic district display a style-conscious variety of designs and cartoonish eccentricity combined with a fashion complexity that has to be seen to be believed. Expect bright block colours, outlandish make-up, texture and pattern layering and dramatically bleached hair. The quirky clothing is an ideological phenomenon and the stylistic expression of the Harajuku subcultures becomes a reflection of their norms and beliefs and are often viewed as an act of rebellion. So even if the fashion scene is a bit much for you to emulate, Harajuku is certainly worth a visit just for sheer admiration of the unconventional trends that are found around every corner.

Arguably the most important fashion event in all of Asia, Amazon Fashion Week Tokyo parades the newly-found elite designers and lines throughout the city. Here is where buyers will see the best-dressed models in quirky street-style, a maximalist approach in design and fashion that’s completely on another level. Tokyo Fashion Week is dress to impress whether you’re simply roaming the city, watching the shows or strutting your stuff down the runway. Our advice? Put your glad rags on and who knows – maybe you’ll be snapped up by a fashion blog and the rest will be history…

If you can’t contain your excitement for Tokyo Fashion Week, Start planning your getaway today.
 

Although Seoul isn’t considered your typical holiday destination, this underrated Korean beauty has so much to offer. This is the place where you’ll find brave and stylish souls who are not afraid to combine high street fashion with high-end lines, an industry no-no that Seoul defies with utter sophistication. Shopping in Seoul is somewhat of a religious experience, from the iconic House of Dior to the Rare Market where you’ll spot a few celebrities if you’re lucky. The fashion-conscious tourist will adore Lucky Chouette, known for its individualistic designs that Seoul locals adore – here you’ll gain your street cred in no time. Oh, and you’ll be thoroughly impressed by the reasonable price points of some of Korea’s best brands meaning you don’t have to break the bank to look a million dollars.

Despite the plethora of designer stores in the city, fashion in Seoul very much revolves around eclectic streetwear that’s incredibly trend-driven and influenced by K-pop stars and K-entertainment. Here you’ll find the locals wear a lot of statement hoodies, vintage garments and fashionable denim that are styled together in different ways taking inspiration from the runways showcased at Seoul Fashion Week (March 27^th 2018). The vibrancy and excitement of the city itself is a bold inspiration for current, up-and-coming and even aspiring designers. Seoul’s fashion scene is unique in the way it focuses on the inclusivity of the individual rather than looking to impress high-end industry influencers and gain media attention. So, step out of your comfort zone and get ready to strut your stuff down the streets of Seoul!

Have you been inspired to begin your Asian adventure? Give one of our personal travel managers a call on 0203 816 0985 or submit an enquiry. You’ll be on a plane in time for the next Fashion Week in no time!