A new Hong Kong fashion and lifestyle incubator aims to ease collaboration for startups in fashion and retail.
Called Azalvo, the platform was founded by Joanne Chow, who believes in the sharing economy and wants to provide access to resources, collaborate and guide companies through the challenging process of transforming creative ideas into successful businesses.
“Azalvo is cultivating a culture of collaboration, nurturing a new generation of the local manufacturing industry and contributing to enhance the economic influence of the industry to Hong Kong,” says Chow.
Backed by Aussco, a textile trading and manufacturing company with nearly 60 years of experience, Azalvo believes it offers the technical know-how, network, technology and experience to mentor, incubate and launch promising ideas for its partners.
“Aussco and its affiliated companies have created a 360-degree ecosystem to offer comprehensive support for both emerging and mature companies. With our long legacy in design, fashion, retail and branding industries, we can identify and bridge the gaps in their needs.
“The establishment of Azalvo stems from our experience in working with artists, designers, entrepreneurs and established brands in the fashion and lifestyle industry,” she said. Azalvo is the first and most comprehensive hub to develop this platform.”
Textile and garment manufacturing has always been a major industry in Hong Kong, but over recent decades, the local industry has shifted from labor-intensive operations to knowledge-based research, technology development and brand management for international fashion and lifestyle brands.
One of the new ventures early partnerships has been helping AI technology startup Small Mind.
Founded by HiuKim Yuen and Tom Kwun Wah Tong, Small Mind partnered with Azalvo, to create a unique AR experience tool, (pictured above). Designed with the needs of fashion buyers in mind, the tool gives users real-time data, providing buyers and even customers with a new buying experience, whether they are buying at a fashion show or in store.
Azalvo’s services include marketing and branding, product research and design, manufacturing knowledge and technology, sourcing and sampling, logistics and distribution, business matching as well as trademark, patent and prototype development.
In-house facilities available to startups includes 3D printers, a professional photography studio, 360-degree rotatable cabinet and display area and a fashion and material archive.
