Hactl partners with HKTDC to showcase air cargo’s role in fashion

Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl), Hong Kong's largest independent cargo handler, has partnered with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) as a Strategic Partner to showcase home-grown fashion designers at Paris Fashion Week Men's Spring/Summer 2027, highlighting the increasingly important role of air cargo in supporting the global fashion supply chain.

The cross-sector initiative aims to expand the global reach of Hong Kong designer brands while demonstrating how logistics, aviation and creative industries work together to connect fashion with international markets. The collaboration also underscores Hactl's continued commitment to industry partnerships and sustainability, bringing together fashion, logistics and circular economy initiatives on a global stage.

As the first air cargo terminal operator in Hong Kong to serve as a Strategic Partner of HKTDC at a premier international fashion event, Hactl joined hands with HKTDC to present the collections of 11 Hong Kong designer brands at the Hong Kong Designers Showroom, held from 24 to 28 June during Paris Fashion Week Men's. The showroom featured Spring/Summer 2027 collections spanning apparel and fashion accessories, while selected Hong Kong designers also collaborated with Paris-based artist Yaz Bukey, with the collaborative creations unveiled during the event.

Speaking to The STAT Trade Times, Chris Lo, Regional Director, Europe, Central Asia and Israel, HKTDC, said the initiative was designed to help Hong Kong designers strengthen their international presence by connecting directly with buyers, media and consumers. "We are bringing 11 designer brands to showcase here in Paris, the capital of fashion in Europe. They are very curious to meet with professional buyers, with our media friends and also general consumers to understand the needs of the market and explain their creativity and innovation at this very important occasion," he said.

Lo said the partnership with Hactl also demonstrated the extensive logistics network that supports the fashion industry beyond the runway. "When we talk about fashion, people often think about the glamorous scenes on the catwalk or the fashion show. But this unique partnership between the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Hactl demonstrates not just what you see in front of the camera, but also the flow and the supply chain of how fashion and trade work," he said.

He also mentioned that Hactl plays an important role in enabling Hong Kong brands to reach international markets. "When our designer brands need to export their products and bring them to the global market, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council supports their journey, while Hactl also plays a very important role behind the scenes by facilitating air cargo handling," Lo added.

Alongside the designer collections, Hactl collaborated with Hong Kong designer Sing-chin Lo, who designed the company's current staff uniforms, to present a dedicated exhibition centred on sustainability and circular design. The display featured Hactl's eco-friendly staff uniforms, ready-to-wear garments inspired by the uniforms, and bespoke fashion pieces, bags and souvenirs created by upcycling retired uniforms. The showcase illustrated how retired staff uniforms could be transformed into contemporary fashion while extending the lifecycle of textile materials.

According to the designer, sustainability shaped the project from the very beginning. "At the very beginning, sustainability was very important to us. So we not only had to think about the design of the new uniform, but also what would happen to the old ones. After the new uniform launch, the old ones were no longer needed, so we had to give them a second life," he added.

That thinking led to the creation of a range of upcycled products, including teddy bears, tote bags, tableware, mugs and fashion accessories made from retired uniforms. Lo explained that the exhibition was organised around three themes. "Here we showcase three parts in the collection. The first part is the new uniform. We use a lot of recycled material for the new uniform. The second part is daily wear inspired by the new uniform. The third part is the old uniform, which we upcycled again into tailor-made and fashion pieces," he said.

Pointing to one of the garments on display, he added: "This is the Hactl staff uniform, and now we transform it into daily wear. You can see this shirt is the same as the uniform but with a different material. What we want to do is show that the uniform is not just a uniform, but the design can also be very stylish."

The designer also said the collaboration reflected both Hong Kong's creativity and its commitment to sustainable fashion. "We hope to showcase Hong Kong's creativity and our commitment to sustainability. We hope we can upcycle the old uniform into some more meaningful products," he said.

Adding to that, HKTDC’s Lo also noted that sustainability formed a key pillar of the collaboration between HKTDC and Hactl. "One of the important elements of this partnership is the value we all share. The joint collaboration between Hactl and one of our designers in upcycling unused uniforms into new fashion pieces is another showcase of this very interesting and unique partnership," he said.

Beyond the exhibition, Hactl and HKTDC hosted networking events, including a reception and Hong Kong Fashion Night dinner, bringing together aviation executives, fashion brands, buyers, retailers, media representatives and influencers. The events created opportunities for Hong Kong designers to engage with international stakeholders and explore commercial collaborations. Commenting on the partnership, Frosti Lau, Chief Executive of Hactl, said the initiative reflected the company's broader ambition to connect Hong Kong's creative industries with global markets.

"Hactl is deeply rooted in Hong Kong and globally connected. This pioneering cross-sector collaboration has injected fresh momentum into our local fashion industry, empowering Hong Kong designers to shine on an international stage while showcasing the city's creative soft power. It also underscores the critical role of air cargo in enabling the fast, reliable movement of high-value fashion goods — from high-end collections to fashion-led e-commerce — across global markets."

Lau said sustainability continues to be central to Hactl's long-term strategy. "As a key player in the aviation and logistics industry, we are committed to driving sustainable innovation, reducing emissions and promoting circularity. This includes initiatives such as our Zero-waste Uniform Upcycling project, the use of eco-friendly materials in staff uniforms, and our support for cross-sector collaborations like the Hong Kong Designers Showroom at Paris Fashion Week, which promotes sustainable fashion and global collaboration. Through these efforts, we aim to connect creativity with global markets while advancing sustainable practices, reinforcing Hong Kong's position as a globally connected hub for innovation, sustainability, and commerce."

During a separate conversation with The STAT Trade Times recorded at the event, Lau highlighted the time-critical nature of fashion logistics and the indispensable role of air cargo. "Fashion can take a long time to develop, prototype and get samples, but they have very brief windows for them to be shipped to runway shows, trade shows, and also to end customers. That's where air cargo comes into play very importantly," he said.

Referring to Hactl's extensive global network, Lau added: "As Hactl, we are the largest single independent cargo terminal in Hong Kong, where we'll be able to ship to more than 100 destinations around the world."

The Fashion Hong Kong programme forms part of HKTDC's ongoing strategy to support Hong Kong brands through overseas exhibitions, business matching and international promotion. This year's Paris showroom demonstrated how fashion, logistics and sustainability can converge, reinforcing Hong Kong's position as a global hub connecting creativity, trade and air cargo.