![Business of Design Week 2013:Day 1 Highlights]()
Asia’s leading annual design event returns for its 11th edition at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. Running from 2-7 December, this year's partner country is Belgium; designers and business leaders from various fields will be featured at the week-long event. The three-day BODW Forum was officially opened in style by Her Royal Highness Queen Mathilde of Belgium along with Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying.
Following the ceremony, the first day of the forum began in style with the Plenary Session headlined by opening speaker, Belgian designer Charles Kaisin. Speaking passionately about his pioneering work incorporating recycled materials to create sustainable and contemporary designs, Kaisin said his design philosophy is heavily inspired by movement and nature.
Famed Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto also gave a remarkable speech on his design ethos. The Hokkaido native was the youngest architect ever to accept an invitation to design a temporary pavilion at the Serpentine Gallery Kensington Gardens in London. He said his move to urban Tokyo made his realize his surroundings better.
Three separate tracks followed in the afternoon sessions exploring diverse aspects of creativity. 'Cities Driven By Design' explored issues on urban planning and making our cities more efficient with innovative urban and city criticRichard Florida, who used lessons from the last ten years to show how Creative Class theory has grown from a prediction to a prescription for an economy in turmoil, outlining the need for a Creative Compact—a new social compact that can put us back on the path to economic growth. Other outstanding speakers include Korean city researcher and professor Kwon Young Gull, Vincente Gullart, Chief Architect of the Barcelona City Council, and influential Japanese architect Toyo Ito, discussing 'The Limitations of Modernism', who said his ethos has changed over the years and become better as he grew.
The 'Design For Experience' track captivated delegates by exploring individual designer's personal history and career paths. Experts who generated overwhelmingly positive responses include Olivier Bastin, the co-founder of L’Escaut Architectures and the Chief Architect of the Brussels Region in 2009, who discussed architecture with B-architecten's Sven Grooten. Collaborators Maxime Szyf of MAXIMALdesign and Ruud Belmans who heads its sister company, Pinkeye Studio, together delivered a creative presentation on their tasks from logo and packaging to interior and product design. Fellow Belgian Belgian-born Lowie Vermeersch also impressed with his open-minded and multidisciplinary approach to designing automobiles from Ferrari, Fiat, Ford, and Maserati.
Panelists in 'Fashion & Apparel' discussed their creative collections with great passion. The speakers included Hong Kong menswear designers Kay Kwok, and Six Lee, both of whom were born here and trained in Europe.The most anticipated session belonged to Anne Chapelle, CEO and owner of the companies of the fashion brands Ann Demeulemeester and Haider Ackermann. Belgian designer Elvis Pompilio’s speech wrapped up the day explaining his works for Chanel, Mugler, Céline, among others, joined by his business partner, Jean Paul Masse.
The eventful opening day left all in attendance eager for more informative sessions over the next two days.
About Business of Design Week
The Hong Kong Design Centre has been the organizer of Business of Design Week (BODW) since 2002. The annual international event is aimed at promoting design and strengthening ties between the design and business communities. Each year, BODW attracts design and business elite from around the world to Hong Kong. The world's attention is drawn to current design issues through various exhibitions, international forums and outreach activities tailored to provide designers, business leaders, educators, SMEs and the public with communication opportunities to build strong business and commercial development. It is a world-class platform for the exchange of ideas, and an internationally renowned annual design event.
Date: 2-7 December 2013
Venue: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
