Dior postpones Hong Kong fashion show: government

Dior has postponed a fashion show due to be held in Hong Kong next month, a city official confirmed on Saturday, dealing a blow to the financial hub's ambitions to boost its economy through big events.

Hong Kong is courting top celebrities and international brands in hopes of rebooting its reputation, which had been battered by years of social unrest and strict pandemic restrictions.

The Dior fashion show, which was due to feature artistic director Kim Jones and the autumn men's collection, was to be one of a series of “mega events” promoted last month by Hong Kong's culture, sports and tourism chief, Kevin Yeung, as part of the city's push to become an events capital.

But Yeung's office confirmed to AFP on Saturday that organizers had “just notified him” that the parade would not go ahead as planned on March 23.

“Large-scale events are postponed from time to time, and we continue to welcome large-scale events to take place in Hong Kong,” a spokesperson from Yeung's office added.

Dior said the show had been “postponed indefinitely” without giving details, according to a company statement cited by the South China Morning Post.

According to SCMP, the event was expected to cost around HK$100 million ($12.8 million) and attract nearly 1,000 attendees.

In November, Louis Vuitton held its pre-fall 2024 men's show in Hong Kong, led by creative director Pharrell Williams and attracting celebrity guests from China and South Korea.

The much-hyped show was seen as a boon for Hong Kong's international image and a sign of the luxury giant's commitment to Asian markets.

LVMH, the world's largest luxury goods group and parent company of Dior and Louis Vuitton, last month posted record sales and profits in 2023, although growth slowed in the second half.