Hong Kong SAR (P.R. of China) - Hong Kong’s biggest ever design crossover project – Creation 9707 – unveiled 10 masterpieces today resulting from a unique collaboration celebrating ten years of Hong Kong design. Creation 9707 coincides with Business of Design Week 2007, the largest annual design event in the world.
 
Creation 9707 is one of the three components of Project 9707, which honours the achievements and development in Hong Kong’s design industry over the past ten years. Organized by Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC), Creation 9707 is the first ever collaboration of 10 internationally renowned brand names with 10 accomplished Hong Kong designers to produce 10 creative products of superb quality.
 
“Creation 9707 is an unprecedented union between Hong Kong designers and international brands. Creative partnerships such as Lo Kai-Yin and Shanghai Tang, Lo Chi-wing and KEF or Eric Chan and Herman Miller, serve to convey to the world the sheer creative talent that is present in Hong Kong. The project also acts as an ambassador of our excellence and unique creative abilities in solidifying our presence and reputation in the global design area,” said Mr. Allan Chiang, Chief Executive Officer, HKDC.
 
Nine of the ten landmark products showcased today will be auctioned tomorrow at the Business of Design Week’s Annual Award Gala Dinner. Net proceeds will be used to support design promotion activities by the HKDC. Limited editions of selected items will also be sold atparticipating brands’ retail outlets starting mid-December. Revenue from the public sales will be used to promote design education in Hong Kong.
 
“HKDC is honoured to bring together these stellar Hong Kong designers in collaboration with renowned international brands. It is phenomenal to gather 10 design heavyweights in Hong Kong with one shared vision, and to meaningfully examine the history and culture of Hong Kong design since 1997 in a way that is so accessible to the public,” said Mr. Chiang, “We also want to extend our gratitude to the brands who are participating in this project. Without their support, the event would not be such a remarkable success,” he added.
 
Creation 9707 Symposium is also being held today, where the designers, joined by executives from the participating brands, will share their experiences with the public. Not only will they look into the processes and exchange between the partners during the creative process, but they will also share ideas on Hong Kong design, exploring its creative and commercial viability. The symposium will also examine the role of Hong Kong through the lens of brand, and investigate products as tools for bridging cultures.
 
“We will not only be showcasing these marvellous pieces in Hong Kong, but in 2008, plans are in hand for these 10 designer items to go on a global exhibition tour. We believe that each of the masterpieces will demonstrate the vision and enormous creativity of Hong Kong design to a global audience,” concluded Mr. Chiang.

Please download pictures of designers and products from:
ftp://9707:hkdc@hkdesigncentre.org/9707_pics

For further enquiries, please contact:
Weber Shandwick
Carol Lau
t: +852 2533 9981
e:

Annette Chiu
t: +852 2533 9907
e: achiu@webershandwick.com


About the Hong Kong Design Centre
The Hong Kong Design Centre is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping local designers and businesses to realise their full potential. Our mission is to use design and innovation to drive value creation and improve the well-being of society. Our vision is to establish Hong Kong as a centre of design excellence in Asia.
 
The Hong Kong Design Centre was established in 2001 by the Hong Kong Federation of Design Associations, the founding members of which are Hong Kong Designers Association, Interior Design Association Hong Kong, Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association, and the Chartered Society of Designers. Our principal financial supporter is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government.
 
We organize year-round seminars, workshops and conferences, on the one hand, to promote awareness of the value of design and use of design in the business / industry communities and, on the other hand, upgrade the business and design expertise of design professionals and students. We promote design excellence and awareness by organizing prestigious design award schemes and exhibitions. Through joint efforts with Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, we contribute to building InnoCentre’s facilities for design tenants and incubating design start-ups. We also provide professional input to the admission of tenants and incubatees to the InnoCentre and coaching of the latter.
 
Further details can be found at www.hkdesigncentre.org