Hong Kong once again cemented its status as a global creative hub with the launch of Business of Design Week (BODW) 2025. Officially opened on 3 December at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the three-day Summit, themed “Curiosity Provokes Design Innovation”, brought together visionary designers and business leaders from around the world. Italy, celebrating 55 years of diplomatic relations with China, was this year’s Partner Country, underscoring a shared heritage of creativity and innovation.
Mr Joseph Lo, MH, Chairman of the Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC)_香港設計中心董事會主席勞建青先生
Matteo Fioravanti, Senior Vice President Design at Pininfarina_賓尼法利納高級設計副總裁Matteo Fioravanti
The opening ceremony featured prominent figures including Miss Rosanna Law Shuk Pui, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of Hong Kong, and H.E. Massimo Ambrosetti, Ambassador of Italy to China. Both highlighted the event’s role in promoting East–West cultural exchange and reaffirming Hong Kong as a “Super Connector” in the global design landscape.
H.E. Massimo Ambrosetti, Ambassador of Italy to the People’s Republic of China_意大利駐華大使馬西莫 • 安博思先生
BODW 2025 featured nearly 50 keynotes, dialogues, and forums addressing design across sectors from sports venues and tech headquarters to luxury brands and future mobility. Day one focused on Urban Visions and the Mobility Revolution, with speakers such as Dr Carlo Ratti, Patricia Viel, Brett Wightman, and Ole Scheeren exploring architecture, smart city planning, and innovative transport solutions. Sessions emphasised how curiosity drives experimentation, collaboration, and transformative design thinking.
Forum Session_ Tony Ip, Ben Chen, and Professor Viveca Chan_葉國洪、陳寶，及陳一枬教授的論壇環節
A major addition this year was the bodw Future Lab, a collaborative space where designers, technologists, and business leaders experimented with emerging technologies and urban solutions. The first session addressed Urban Visions: Designing the Future City, developing actionable principles to integrate sustainability, cultural heritage, and social cohesion into Hong Kong’s evolving urban landscape.
David Imai, Chief Designer of Arc and Former Design Director of Tesla_Arc首席設計師及Tesla前設計總監David Imai
David Imai, Chief Designer of Arc and Former Design Director of Tesla_Arc首席設計師及Tesla前設計總監David Imai
The Summit continued with pillars on Crafted Living, Luxury Reimagined, Innovating with AI & Technology, and Cultural Innovation & Creativity, featuring luminaries including Paola Antonelli, Will Shi, and Angelica Visconti. Beyond the Summit, BODW 2025 extended to exhibitions, awards, and DesignInspire events, ensuring Hong Kong’s winter was alive with creativity and innovation.
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