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Header image courtesy of Business of Design Week 2025
Hong Kong Design Centre’s flagship design-driven forum, Business of Design Week (BODW), makes its return this year from 1 to 6 December, inviting more than 50 creative and business leaders from around the world to speak on topics and disciplines such as such as art, architecture, creativity, design, fashion, innovation, manufacturing, and technology.
In honour of several milestones—the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union, the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Italy, as well as Italy’s upcoming hosting of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games—BODW 2025 is teaming up with Italy as its year-long partner country under the theme “Curiosity Ignites Design Innovation.”
With more than 50 speakers from more than 10 countries leading over 40 sessions, there’s a lot to keep your schedule busy at the BODW 2025 Summit. From 3 to 5 December, design visionaries will congregate at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre to discuss the impact of architecture, product design, and the creation of icons.
BODW 2025 has lined up speakers such as Dr Carlo Ratti, renowned architect, engineer, curator of the Venice Biennale Architettura 2025, and designer of the torches used for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics; Michele De Lucchi, founder of AMDL Circle and designer of the Nordic Pavilion at the Osaka World Expo 2025; Dr Andrea Ferraresi, strategy and centro stile director of Ducati; and David Imai, who defined the Tesla aesthetic and now pioneers the luxury electric boat brand Arc.
Joining them are Min Chen, industrial designer and founder of Chen Min Office, and Professor Ron Arad, founder and director of Ron Arad Studio.
Angelica Visconti, vice chairman of Ferragamo, and Nicolas François Luchsinger, CEO of Buccellati, will share key design and craftsmanship insights from the perspectives of luxury houses. Matteo Battiston, chief design officer of EssilorLuxottica; Will Shi, general manager of Hong Kong and Macau for Baidu AI Cloud; Paola Antonelli, senior curator of architecture and design for The Museum of Modern Art; and Raffaella Paniè, director of brand, identity, and look of the games for Milano Cortina 2026, will similarly lead enlightening conversations on the evolution of museums, AI for industrial intelligence, designing for landmark cultural events, and more. See the full list of speakers here.
BODW 2025 will explore topics relating to Urban Visions, Mobility Revolution, Crafted Living, Luxury Reimagined, Innovating with AI & Technology, and Cultural Innovation & Creativity, covering three consecutive days of summit programming. Other events will take place across Hong Kong concurrently, including Vividly Hong Kong with the DFA Awards Presentation Ceremony 2025, and the opening ceremonies for the DxGBA Gravity and the Neon Exhibition; DesignInspire; and Business of IP Asia Forum hosted by HKTDC.
Enjoy complete access with a three-day pass, which grants you entry to three full days of the summit, networking opportunities with global speakers in-person, a complimentary BODW+ Plus membership for one year, and unlimited access to BODW 2025 content. Similarly, two-day passes and one-day passes are also available. Secure your tickets here.
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