The Hong Kong Trade Development Council, in conjunction with the Hong Kong Tourism Board, will present four designer collections at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia on May 4. Here, Hong-Kong based designer Harrison Wong takes us through his first day in Sydney, which included a meeting with retail giant Westfield.
12:00 - Checked in to my hotel in downtown Sydney. I immediately got to work bringing the complete menswear collection to the Hong Kong House located in a beautifully restored heritage building on Druitt Street. There is so much to prepare for and do. Who would guess that this is the International Labour Day holiday? The Hong Kong designer contingent will have a pop-up shop stand set up here over the next several days. We are all looking forward to having the opportunity to meet with all the buyers and press!
1:00 - I suddenly realise that I had not eaten for many hours and I need some fuel in my stomach. There are so many super looking restaurants to choose from conveniently located just near the Hong Kong House, I finally settle on a very stylish restaurant called Ivy Bar so I could take advantage of this splendid Sydney weather by sitting at the outdoor terrace. I order a very yummy and reasonably priced Wagyu steak burger. What a different setting from the last time I had one of these. That was on the 102nd floor of the International Commerce Centre in Hong Kong at the Ritz Hotel, the highest hotel in the world. No nice outdoor terrace to relax at there, but I certainly recommend the Hong Kong Ritz if only to have a coffee and enjoy the view.
14:30 - But there is no time for such musing, so back to the Hong Kong House to unpack my collection and make all the final preparations for our busy schedule of meetings with buyers in the next few days before the big show starts on May 4th. I really hope I will be able to find a few free minutes here and there to see a bit more of this beautiful city.
16:30 - I just took advantage of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council's kind arrangement for me to meet with Alicia, fashion category manager, and jack of retailer relations at Westfield head office. I was eager to learn more about one of Australia's biggest shopping centers. All the top fashion brands are housed there. Thanks Alicia and Jack, very impressive indeed!
17:30 - When I dreamt of becoming a fashion designer as a kid, I never dreamed that it would entail ironing! But here I am ironing and steaming away to make sure the collection looks its best. Just part of the glamour!
20:00 - At last dinner time and a little chance to get a look at Sydney from the spectacular Opera House (of course!). I am reminded of the joke in Hong Kong that our impressive Convention Centre in Wanchai looks like the Sydney Opera House that someone sat on! Well maybe not, but it sure looks like the architect was inspired by this Sydney masterpiece. It's been a long and eventful day and I am looking forward to catching up on some much needed rest before the action starts.