Riding Hong Kong’s new creative wave

As recently as 2022, it was hard to imagine Hong Kong ever being as vibrant and intoxicating as it was before the pandemic. But now, as the city reawakens and regains its creative standing on the world stage, it has come roaring back to life – and Soho House Hong Kong remains central to the action.

Earlier this year, we saw the much-anticipated, full-scale return of Art Basel to Hong Kong. Bringing together 177 galleries from all over the world and leading private collectors from 70 countries, the fair – in the minds of many – signalled the end of the pandemic and its three tumultuous years. It was a momentous occasion that welcomed a new energy into town – with each week marking the opening of a new gallery and internationally acclaimed artists at the helm.

Soho House Hong Kong invited local artist and member Felix Chan to transform the ground floor of the building into a theatre of creativity. He filled the space with idiosyncratic illustrations of characters from musicals: Carol Channing as Dolly Levi from Hello, Dolly!, Alan Cumming’s Master of Ceremonies in Cabaret and Tim Curry’s Dr Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. ‘It was something of a homecoming for me,’ Chan reflects. ‘I had a cool space that allowed me to create a whole theatrical set. I don’t know if I’ll be able to produce something of such scale in the future.’
 
With the 2024 instalment of Art Basel Hong Kong on the horizon, expectations are higher than ever. Internationally renowned curator Alexie Glass-Kantor is rumoured to be returning to curate the fair’s large-scale programme, and under her tutelage Art Basel Hong Kong might once again explore off-site installations (given the tremendous success of Awol Erizku’s ‘Gravity’ this year). There’s also plenty more Soho House activity to look forward to around the fair, so watch this space. 

It’s not just art that’s been stealing the spotlight, either. Earlier this year, Hong Kong hosted the 16th Asian Film Awards, in which Chinese actor Tang Wei took the Best Actress award for her role in Korean drama Decision To Leave, and Hong Kong’s own Tony Leung won Best Actor for Where The Wind Blows. Although it’s unlikely that the city will host the awards ceremony for the second year in a row in 2024, cinephiles around town will still have an opportunity to see their favourite stars up close, when the long-anticipated Expats series, starring Nicole Kidman and Jack Huston premieres in the city. 
 
Another highlight from this year was the Gay Games – a sports event unlike any other – which, just a few weeks ago, brought together queer athletes and allies from all over the world to celebrate love and equality. The week-long jubilee also attracted international drag superstars and activists, Courtney Act and Shea Couleé. The 2024 instalment is still a way off at this stage, but well worth a mark in next year’s calendar. 

Hong Kong is staking its claim in the fashion world, too. Centrestage – the annual fashion showcase organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) – renewed its goal to support the city’s bright young designers with a launch in the pool room of Soho House. Hong Kong’s pioneering sustainability initiative, Redress, gathered ambitious young dressmakers, challenging them to create collections that adhere to the stringent tenets of circular fashion.

Both of these homegrown initiatives are expected to return for 2024. In the meantime, fashion-focused members won’t need to wait too long for a fix, because on Thursday 30 November Pharrell Williams will present his pre-fall 2024 menswear collection for Louis Vuitton. The show will take place on the Avenue of Stars against the backdrop of Victoria Harbour. 

As autumn gives way to winter, Soho House Hong Kong’s members have much to look forward to in the city. Come December, Clockenflap music festival will draw performers such as Caroline Polachek, Joji and Alex G. There’s also plenty of excitement building at the House – from the much-anticipated activity around Art Basel Hong Kong, to our monthly Feasts and regular Member Mixers, Soho House Hong Kong, much like the city it calls home, is never not roaring. 

Explore Soho House Hong Kong and apply for membership