I missed the opportunity to write a New Year’s post, but I won’t wax poetic about resolutions or promises to write more. Instead, I’ll wish you a Happy (early) Chinese New Year from the Beijing airport, where I await my flight to Hong Kong for Fashion Week and other adventures.

I’m surviving on Harper’s Bazaar China and Cosmopolitan China, plus a delicious canned Nescafe to keep me perky.

Over the next week, I’ll be exploring Hong Kong’s growing fashion industry and its place in the global fashion scene–as well as its place in Hong Kong, the premier luxury shopping destination in Asia, and perhaps soon the world.

People visit Hong Kong from across the globe–and especially from Mainland China–to shop in the ornate flagships of the leading American, Italian, and French luxury brands. In fact, this year, preeminent brands like Prada and Coach listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and other brands are expected to follow suit to cement their place in the Asian market. I’m not just talking about fashion, either. Hong Kong is the destination for luxury apparel, handbags, eyewear, watches, art, and even wine.

At the same time, Hong Kong has its own independent designers, boutiques, and a massive Fashion Week featuring an exhibition of both fast fashion and couture. The majority of these designers aren’t well known outside of Asia, but given the steep competition, I suspect that a designer who can do well in Hong Kong can do well elsewhere, too. I’m eager to see what I’ll discover.

And, if I happen to hop over to Macao for a day trip, I’ll certainly let you know about any sightings of the elusive Kim Jong-un.