DesignerCon Asia debuts at AsiaWorld-Expo, energising the city’s creative scene

One of the world’s leading art toy and pop culture expos made a landmark arrival in Hong Kong at AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) — unleashing creativity, nostalgia, and next-gen design all under one roof.

Hong Kong Welcomes a Global Creative Phenomenon

This October, Hong Kong is transformed into a wonderland of imagination, art, and cutting-edge design as DesignerCon, one of the world’s most influential art toy and pop culture conventions, celebrated its long-awaited Asian debut. Held on October 5 and 6, 2025, at AWE, the DesignerCon Asia Artist World Expo – Hong Kong Station (“DCon HK 2025”) proved to be far more than just an exhibition — it erupted into an immersive, two-day creative explosion that brought together world-renowned artists, visionary designers, major brands, and passionate fans.

Chic collectors, creators, and curious minds attended this electrifying showcase, which marked a cultural turning point for the city. With its signature blend of quirky collectibles, innovative exhibitions, live performances, and emotional storytelling, DCon HK 2025 became one of Hong Kong’s most talked-about creative events of the year.

The Hong Kong Pavilion – A Journey Through Time, Told in Toys

One of the event’s most powerful centerpieces was the Hong Kong Pavilion, a nostalgic and futuristic exhibition telling the story of the city’s transformation from a post-war toy manufacturing giant into a modern-day epicenter of global design. Curated by Hong Kong design legend Alan Chan, alongside Man Lim-chung and Su Chang, the pavilion invited guests to step through a lovingly recreated “Toy Gate” — a tribute to old Hong Kong toy shops — into a space where history and innovation collided. Inside, classic tin wind-up toys and beloved plastic figurines sat alongside sleek, avant-garde designer collectibles, creating an immersive, time-traveling experience that bridged generations. Visitors also had the rare chance to see works by the founding fathers of the designer toy movement, including icons Michael Lau, Eric So, the Iron Brothers (Kenny, William, and Winson), and Richard Wong, creator of the beloved C.I.BOYS characters. Their work not only defined a global art movement but also reflected the fearless creative spirit that continues to shape Hong Kong’s cultural identity.

From LA to Tokyo – A Star-Studded Lineup of Global Talent

While rooted in local pride, DCon HK 2025 was fiercely international in scope. Attendees met an extraordinary array of artists and creators from across the globe, each bringing unique flair to the festival. Among the international standouts were Luke Chueh, renowned for his darkly humorous artistry; Rodrigo Roji, a creative force from Mexico; Hong Kong’s own Steven Choi, who enchanted visitors with emotionally resonant illustrations; XING, blending fashion and technology; and VeVe, a pioneer in digital collectibles.

One of the event’s buzzworthy moments featured Japan’s beloved anime character Chibi Maruko-chan in a crossover appearance with dance sensation Avantgardey. American contemporary artist Ron English joined ToyQube to bring the rebellious energy of street art to Hong Kong, and the Xu Beihong Arts Foundation unveiled masterful art toy creations, bridging classical artistry and contemporary design.

More Than a Convention – A Full-Blown Creative Playground

DCon HK 2025 was designed as a fully interactive playground for creatives and collectors alike. Across the weekend, fans enjoyed over 30 international artist signings, exclusive product launches, blind-box collaborations, and dozens of limited-edition releases. Collectors scrambled for hands-on experiences with the next big thing in design culture. The ART X IP forums offered thought-provoking panels and discussions, further energizing the city’s creative dialogue.

The Power of Pink – Creativity Meets Compassion

DCon HK 2025 was not just about art and collectibles — it also used creativity to inspire change. In honour of International Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the show hosted Pink October DCon, themed “The Power of Pink Toy,” inviting global artists to design limited-edition, pink-themed collectibles. These pieces served as both comforting mementoes and bold statements of support. Asia’s beloved actress and model Lin Chi-ling joined as Charity Ambassador, helping lead the campaign’s “Pink Power Toy!” charity auction to raise funds for local breast cancer organizations. By blending art with advocacy, DCon HK 2025 showed that even playful objects can have deep emotional and social impact.

A Meaningful Addition to Hong Kong’s Cultural Journey

With its breathtaking blend of nostalgia, futuristic design, community engagement, and global star power, DesignerCon Asia’s debut in Hong Kong was more than just a pop culture event — it became a cultural milestone. The show signaled Hong Kong’s continued rise as a global hub for artistic innovation and cross-cultural dialogue.

As the city prepares to host a full season of blockbuster events at AWE —including the debut of Tokyo Auto Salon Hong Kong (TAS·HK), the eye-opening International MotorXpo (IMXpo), and the beloved Children’s Book Fair—the creative momentum sparked by DCon HK 2025 is only just beginning. From pop culture and creative design to auto innovation, and family entertainment, AWE promises a season of unforgettable experiences for all.