Complex China CEO Bonnie Chan Woo lauded Hong Kong’s deep roots in street culture as the reason the city was chosen to host the first ComplexCon outside the US.

“We also select exhibitors and creators from an angle of creating a cultural melting pot with brands and talent from Japan, Korea, North America, Southeast Asia, United Kingdom, Europe, and of course Chinese brands from all across mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong,” she said at the festival’s opening ceremony.

“Our curatorial approach also plays to the advantage of this particular location, Hong Kong, which is known to have played the role of the region’s superconnector for international cultural exchange.”

First launched in Los Angeles in 2016, the annual ComplexCon was said to be the largest street culture festival in the US.

Its first appearance in Asia is backed by the government’s HK$1.4 billion (US$179 million) Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund. It is among the mega events the city is holding in coming weeks to boost post-pandemic economy and tourism.

Following the opening of “Complex Marketplace” at 12pm, hundreds of fans were seen lining up at various pop-up stores selling limited-edition products and items based on collaborations between well-known designers and artists.

One of them was Scott Carter, a 45-year-old Australian, who said he was glad that he had his first-ever ComplexCon experience in Hong Kong.

Hip hop stars whip up crowd as ComplexCon festival makes Asia debut in Hong Kong

“I think Hong Kong is considered the gateway into Asia from the West. So I think it’s a great place for this to happen,” he said, adding that he would stay in the city for four days.

“It’s a great opportunity to see all of the cool brands and what’s happening in the culture in Asia, across the streetwear, art, music, everything. I think it’s really exciting that they’re doing it for the first time here and giving Asian culture a chance to showcase everything.”

Carter, who works in the e-commerce industry, said he had spent around HK$1,160 on two T-shirts by renowned Japanese designer Verdy, who is the festival’s art director, adding that he had a budget of around HK$2,000.

Mike Snedegar, 45, who works in entertainment, travelled to Hong Kong for the first time from Las Vegas to attend the festival and Art Basel, which will be held in the city between March 28 and 30.

He had spent US$500 on merchandise including that of a collaboration between Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami and South Korean girl group Blackpink.

“I think the city has such a vibrant energy and I think that it’s bringing some amazing people from all over the world,” he said.

“I love street art and street photography … I always wanted to come to Hong Kong … so when I found out it was coming here, I was like, wow, that would be so cool.”

Los Angeles-based artist Clip Brookins, 23, who was skateboarding at the event venue, said he had been attending the festival in the US every year since 2019 and was invited by Verdy to visit Hong Kong.

‘Unique milestone’: Hong Kong to host ComplexCon’s Asia debut next year

“It’s super good. There’s so much culture around me. All my homies are here. Everyone in Hong Kong that I’ve spoken to is super nice. They make me feel very welcomed,” he said.

“I think Hong Kong – good choice. I can’t think of a better location to start off with … also the food, the culture, the people, the artists. The culture is very prevalent here.”

Brookins added that while the Hong Kong edition was smaller than that in the US, he was able to discover a number of Asian brands he was not familiar with.

South Korean artist SAMBYPEN said he did not hesitate when he was invited to present his six pieces of work which were parodies of iconic Hong Kong films from the golden era of 1980 to the 90s at the festival.

“I went to ComplexCon LA a few years ago and it was amazing. I thought ComplexCon HK would be a great opportunity for me to expand my artistic career internationally,” he said.

“I picked [the films] Chungking Express, In the Mood for Love and Happy Together, by accident all from [director] Wong Kar-wai, and I thought it would be interesting to view them through my eyes, which are 90s-born kids’ sights.”

Nolan Mecham, marketing director of New York-based fashion brand FRIED RICE, said the firm’s display was designed to link the culture of New York and Hong Kong.

Mecham, referring to the brand’s founder Maya Wang, who is originally from northern China, said: “For her, it’s very special because she also has an opportunity to connect back to her roots.”

The festival on Saturday also featured performances by artists Coogie, GREY, Loco, Simon Dominic and Woo Won-Jae from South Korean hip-hop and R&B label AOMG.

Sammin Leung, 22, from Guangzhou, said she had watched GREY’s concert in Macau four years ago and it was rare for them to come to Hong Kong as a group.

“They are good at singing and handsome,” she said. “I love the melody of their songs, which is different from other songs that are very fast.”

Poppy Yan, a 30-year-old Shanghai local, said it would be her third time watching them after seeing them in South Korea twice last year.

“How they rap is very easy for people to comprehend. Their songs create a great atmosphere,” said Yan, who works in the exhibition sector.