In collaboration with Vogue Hong Kong

Claudia Cheng, Independent Art Advisor and Curator

For Claudia Cheng, dressing for Art Basel Hong Kong is about storytelling. ‘Fashion is an extension of my visual language as a curator. I approach getting dressed the same way that I approach art – through color, form, and mood,’ she explains. She turns to elegant, understated pieces that photograph beautifully yet feel effortless: flowing dresses with comfortable boots, or well-tailored pants that transition seamlessly from daytime viewings to evening events.

Cheng tackles the fair methodically, mapping out priority galleries and artists in advance, ensuring she hits all her spots before making any intuitive discoveries. This year, she’s particularly excited about Kwai Fung Hin Art Gallery’s presentation of  paintings by historical figures like Zao Wou-Ki and Lalan, alongside works by emerging artists such as Paola Angelini. She also looks forward to Hauser & Wirth’s booth, which will show some of her favorite artists such as Luchita Hurtado and Frank Bowling.

‘Art Basel is as much about discovering new works as it is about exchanging perspectives with the art community. I love the sense of convergence during Hong Kong Art Week – the city becomes an extraordinary meeting point for collectors, artists, and curators from all over the world.’

Calvin Wang, Co-founder and Managing Director of Pen Mané

Calvin Wang is a stylish regular at Art Basel Hong Kong. As much as he loves turning heads with polished outfits, the practical demands of the week are not lost on him. ‘My approach to dressing for the fair is highly pragmatic, depending on my itinerary,’ he explains. ‘If my schedule involves back-to-back gallery hopping, I prioritize comfort and mobility over making a loud sartorial statement.’

His foolproof formula revolves around easy-yet-elevated basics such as FRAME jeans, airy T-shirts, LEMAIRE’s Vibram sneakers, and a bangle from his brand, Pen Mané, for added shine. His hot tip is a lightweight outer layer, ‘for navigating the temperature shifts between the humid outdoors and the highly air-conditioned show floor.’

Wang supports the local cultural landscape, so homegrown powerhouses like Kiang Malingue, Empty Gallery, and Blindspot Gallery are must-visits for him. ‘I don’t typically keep a rigid checklist of artists to track down; I prefer a more organic approach.’ This is also why he gravitates towards Art Basel’s Discoveries sector, which he deems ‘a fantastic incubator for fresh, exciting projects,’ and the perfect place to uncover new talent.

For Wang, it is the community that truly sets the fair apart. ‘Beyond visiting the fair and the galleries, my ultimate priority is to connect with friends. Art Basel does an incredible job of gathering a curated, global community of like-minded people under one roof.’

Kim Bui Kollar, Stylist and Co-founder of Beaureguards

Having attended Art Basel Hong Kong year after year, Kim Bui Kollar has mastered navigating the overwhelming expanse of art at the fair. ‘I go to my favorite galleries first, then wander around to discover ones from different cities that I haven’t been to,’ she says. Her top tip: visit the fair more than once. Vernissage allows Bui Kollar to absorb the sights and sounds of the fair without the typical chaos of public days, but she always makes time to return with her kids at the weekend.

Bui Kollar has a gameplan for the 2026 edition of Art Basel: ‘I am on a bit of a mission. We came across some wonderful artists from the Middle East and Africa at the last edition. This year, I want to look for paintings that depict natural elements,’ she says. ‘I have also been following Grace Carney and Zheng Zhou, two artists that do beautiful, explosive things with color. As for gallery booths, I look forward to seeing P.P.O.W. and Pace Gallery.’

Comfort is essential during Art Week. Days are notoriously long and packed. Her process always begins with the shoes to ensure she’ll be comfortable enough to breeze through whatever the day throws at her. Bui Kollar’s certified staples are striking skirts with movement, a cool jacket, and riding boots that lend high-fashion energy to any look. Her intellectual approach to the design of the pieces and the looks she creates point her toward Phoebe Philo, Bottega Veneta, sacai, (old) Celine, Balenciaga (from the Nicolas Ghesquière era), and Prada.

Laura Cheung Wolf, Founder of LALA CURIO

For Laura Cheung Wolf, founder of interiors brand LALA CURIO, Art Basel Hong Kong is an invitation to dress as expressively as the art on display. ‘I live for colors and patterns. Nothing ever really goes together – but somehow it always does,’ she declares, describing her approach to dressing for Art Week as creating ‘a walking tapestry.’ Drawing from designers like Dries Van Noten, Etro, ZIMMERMANN, and Prada – brands that embrace color, texture, and craftsmanship – Cheung Wolf layers unexpected prints and textures with kimono-style pieces and statement clip-on earrings. ‘Art Week is the perfect moment to dress more playfully,’ she notes, channeling the same fresh, glamorous approach that defines her brand’s Chinoiserie-inspired wallpapers and cloisonné tiles.

During Art Week, however, ‘comfort is essential because the days are long. I gravitate toward loose silhouettes, beautiful fabrics, and flats to move easily between the fair, gallery visits, and evening events,’ she explains. Cheung Wolf’s strategy for navigating the fair reflects her need for quiet contemplation amid the social whirlwind: visit as soon as the doors open, and explore quietly to immerse yourself in the art.

As someone who spent three years in rural China working alongside artisans to create her collections, Cheung Wolf has a deep appreciation for artists who bridge traditional crafts with contemporary vision, including Yeesookyung’s poetic porcelain sculptures, the exuberant textile and ceramic installations of Joana Vasconcelos, and the intricate works of Wu Jian’an.

Daphné Mandel, Artist and Filmmaker

According to Daphné Mandel, getting dressed should be the most effortless aspect of attending Art Basel. The Hong Kong-based French artist is guided by instinct, adhering to a self-imposed rule of spending no longer than five minutes to choose an outfit. She always opts for comfortable, casual, and a tad cool, which means something bought from her native sixth arrondissement in Paris, and a tote bag from a meaningful project she worked on in a rural Hong Kong village, ‘for its sentimental value and cherished memories.’

Mandel sees the fair as an opportunity to reconnect with the artist community. ‘We are usually wrapped up in our own creative worlds, racing against deadlines, so we rarely see each other,’ she says. The fair therefore has become a vital connection for all those involved.

This year, Mandel will be showing her work with Gallery Exit. Molded by her background as a former landscape architect, her upcoming and ongoing projects are deeply rooted in celebrating Hong Kong’s ever-changing landscape. She takes particular interest in the city’s ‘liminal’ zones – spaces that are caught between transformation and memory, tracing the line that separates Hong Kong’s rural past from its urban future. It is this profound appreciation for the city that shapes Mandel’s advice for first-time attendees of Art Basel. ‘As a long-time Hong Kong–based artist, I would encourage first-time visitors to seek out works that resonate with the city’s distinct character. Art Basel isn’t just about the spectacle; it’s an opportunity to connect with Hong Kong’s cultural heartbeat and uniqueness!’