Asia Fashion Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 30 Week of 1 September 2025
(1) Fala Chen on breaking stereotypes: from starring in Netflix’s ‘Ballad of a Small Player’ to embodying Chanel’s high jewellery
Fala Chen shines in Netflix’s The Ballad of a Small Player, capping a journey from Hong Kong TV to Juilliard and Marvel. She balances Hollywood, family, and breaking stereotypes with Chanel-inspired fearlessness.
(2) Guo Pei will host her first solo fashion show in Hong Kong at M+
Guo Pei unveils 30 gold-embroidered couture pieces at Hong Kong’s Centrestage 2025, blending tradition with PolyU student collaboration. The M+ show—her first solo in the city—celebrates timeless radiance, followed by a masterclass.
(3) Wei Daxun Is Redefining the Art of Travel with TUMI
The Chinese actor, Wei Daxun joins TUMI as its newest Asia-Pacific Brand Ambassador, debuting in the “Uncompromisingly Light” campaign that captures his seamless movement between cities, sets, and stories.
(4) LOCAL POWER 2025 “Fashion Dreamers” Seoul-Hong Kong Fashion Showcase
LOCAL POWER 2025 (Sept 27-Oct 11) unites 35 HK/Korean designers for AI-powered fashion shows + 2-week Seoul exhibition, celebrating cross-cultural creativity. Preview at HK CENTRESTAGE Sept 3-6.
(5) Givenchy names Zhang Ruonan ambassador: a new era for the House in China
Zhang Ruonan was named by Givenchy as its official ambassador for China, marking a strategic move to deepen its connection with Asia’s luxury market.
(1) Fala Chen on breaking stereotypes: from starring in Netflix’s ‘Ballad of a Small Player’ to embodying Chanel’s high jewellery
(Photo Credit: Tatler Hong Kong / Gregory Chong)
Fala Chen stars in Netflix’s The Ballad of a Small Player, marking a return to her roots in Hong Kong and Macau alongside Colin Farrell and Tilda Swinton. Portraying enigmatic casino employee Dao Ming, Chen draws parallels between her character’s arc and her own journey—from Hong Kong television to Juilliard’s first Chinese graduate at 32, then to Marvel’s Shang-Chi. Now balancing a transcontinental career with family life, she embodies resilience and reinvention.
Chen’s recent Kyoto trip for Chanel’s Reach for the Stars high jewelry collection mirrored her path. Fluent in Japanese from university exchange days—where modeling launched her career—she reflected on her unexpected trajectory. The collection’s motifs (stars, lions, wings) resonated deeply: “the lion embodies this beautiful tension between masculine power and feminine elegance—it reminds women that we shouldn’t shy away from our roar. Then you have the wings, which bring this sense of lightness and freedom, almost airy in their movement. And the stars—they represent something beyond us, this cosmic inspiration where the sky truly is the limit. It’s like different facets of a woman’s character, all coming together in perfect balance.” Her transition from TV star to Juilliard and Hollywood required audacity; she recalls entering pageants and later abandoning fame for drama school, trusting instinct over convention.
In The Ballad of a Small Player, Chen researched Macau’s gambling culture to subvert tropes of Asian women in Western media. She rejects “demure” roles, advocating for complex portrayals. As a mother, she navigates guilt and ambition, aiming to model passion and balance for her daughter. Quoting Coco Chanel, she says: “If you were born without wings, do nothing to prevent them from growing.” Chen’s story—from hesitant newcomer to global actor—proves that curiosity and courage rewrite destinies.
News Source: https://www.tatlerasia.com/style/jewellery/fala-chen-on-breaking-stereotypes-ballad-of-a-small-player
(2) Guo Pei will host her first solo fashion show in Hong Kong at M+
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
Legendary Chinese couturier Guo Pei—the first Asian designer admitted to France’s Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode—debuted 30 new hand-embroidered masterpieces at Hong Kong’s Centrestage 2025, under the theme Gilternity: An Everlasting Radiance. Marking her first solo show at M+ museum, the collection reimagines gold as “the color of love,” with each garment capturing molten luminosity through intricate craftsmanship. Notably, Guo collaborated with Hong Kong PolyU students on the opening piece, bridging tradition with emerging talent.
The event deepens Guo’s ties to the city, where she first showcased at 2010 Hong Kong Fashion Week and recently concluded the M+ retrospective Fashioning Imagination. Her Centrestage showcase—streamed globally—precedes a September 4 masterclass at HKCEC, offering rare insights into her 30-year journey from imperial-inspired embroidery to Parisian haute couture acclaim.
Having stepped back from Paris Fashion Week after 10 landmark collections, Guo continues to redefine heritage craftsmanship. The Gilternity collection epitomizes her philosophy: “Gold transcends time—like love, it radiates eternally.”
News Source: https://www.broadwayworld.com/hong-kong/article/CENTRESTAGE-Gala-Event-Returns-to-Hong-Kong-in-September-20250818
(3) Wei Daxun Is Redefining the Art of Travel with TUMI
(Photo Credit: TUMI)
Luxury travel brand TUMI has announced acclaimed Chinese actor Wei Daxun as its new Asia-Pacific Brand Ambassador, marking a strategic move to strengthen its regional influence. The partnership aligns with TUMI’s recent Shanghai flagship opening and underscores its commitment to serving globally connected travellers. Wei, known for his versatility across film, TV, and philanthropy, embodies TUMI’s core values of precision, discipline, and creative mobility. His debut campaign, “Uncompromisingly Light” (directed by David Pun), showcases the 19 Degree Lite collection, featuring ultra-lightweight luggage and the Alpha Bravo Navigation Backpack in navy canvas. The visuals capture Wei’s dynamic lifestyle, reflecting his philosophy that “home isn’t a place—it’s a feeling” found in trusted travel essentials.
TUMI Creative Director Victor Sanz praised Wei’s “energy and authenticity,” noting his alignment with the brand’s vision of intentional, motion-driven travel. Wei joins TUMI’s global ambassador roster, including McLaren’s Lando Norris and golf stars Nelly Korda and Ludvig Åberg, reinforcing TUMI’s fusion of luxury, performance, and lifestyle. The campaign highlights Wei’s reliance on TUMI’s sculptural yet functional designs, which seamlessly transition between urban and professional settings. “Their collections are designed for real life,” Wei remarked, emphasizing TUMI’s timeless quality and adaptability to his fast-paced career.
The appointment signals TUMI’s deepening investment in Asia-Pacific markets, leveraging Wei’s regional appeal to connect with modern travellers who prioritize efficiency and elegance. With its Shanghai flagship serving as a hub for innovation, TUMI continues to redefine travel through lightweight engineering and versatile aesthetics, ensuring its products resonate with professionals and adventurers alike. Wei’s partnership not only amplifies TUMI’s cultural relevance but also solidifies its reputation as a leader in performance-driven luxury travel.
News Source: https://www.lofficielph.com/fashion/wei-daxun-tumi
(4) LOCAL POWER 2025 “Fashion Dreamers” Seoul-Hong Kong Fashion Showcase
(Photo Credit: Local Power 2025)
LOCAL POWER 2025 “Fashion Dreamers” will showcase Hong Kong’s creative talent in Seoul from September 27 to October 11 as part of “Hong Kong Week 2025@Seoul”. Organized by the New Generation Creative Design Association Asia with CCIDA support, this cross-cultural fashion event features over 100 designs from 30 Hong Kong/Greater Bay Area emerging designers alongside 5 leading Korean talents. The program includes an AI-enhanced runway show blending Hong Kong and K-pop elements, followed by a two-week public exhibition exploring themes of Hong Kong cinema and urban culture.
The event represents a groundbreaking partnership between Hong Kong and Korea’s fashion industries, with select pieces previewing at Hong Kong’s CENTRESTAGE from September 3-6. Showcasing works from notable Hong Kong initiatives like “The Cutting Magician” and “Young Knitwear Design Awards”, alongside Korean avant-garde collections, the exhibition reinterprets cultural heritage through contemporary design. The AI-powered opening show on September 27 will create a spectacular fusion of fashion and music, highlighting the innovative spirit of both creative communities.
This initiative strengthens Hong Kong’s position as an international fashion capital while fostering meaningful exchanges between Asian design talents. By combining Hong Kong’s distinctive aesthetic with Korea’s cutting-edge innovation, LOCAL POWER 2025 creates new opportunities for cross-border collaboration. The event promises to elevate emerging designers’ global visibility and establish lasting connections between the two regions’ fashion industries.
(5) Givenchy names Zhang Ruonan ambassador: a new era for the House in China
(Photo Credit: Givenchy)
French luxury house Givenchy has named 27-year-old Chinese actress Zhang Ruonan as its official ambassador for China, marking a strategic move to deepen its connection with Asia’s luxury market. The Cry Me a Sad River (2018) breakout star, now internationally recognized for her nuanced performance in The First Frost (2025), embodies Givenchy’s values of audacity, independence, and modernity. In a statement, Zhang expressed admiration for creative director Sarah Burton’s vision, aligning her personal style with the brand’s celebration of “confident, independent women.”
Givenchy’s choice reflects the growing influence of Chinese celebrities in global luxury campaigns, targeting younger consumers in key markets. While reinforcing its Parisian roots—where its couture legacy began in 1952—the brand leverages Zhang’s social media reach and artistic credibility to resonate locally.
This appointment mirrors industry trends, with luxury giants increasingly partnering with Asian talents to strengthen regional loyalty. Zhang’s authenticity and rising fame position her as an ideal ambassador to balance Givenchy’s classic elegance with contemporary relevance.
