Our work is only possible with the great support of our community, trustees, advisors, patrons, funding partners, and the designers, mentees and grantees who work tirelessly to produce new knowledge for the energetic and vibrant city of Hong Kong and our region. We would like to acknowledge the generous individuals, organisations and partners who have contributed to the growth of the Design Trust initiative since its conception.
ACKNOWLEDGING OUR COMMUNITY
“The Art of Transformation” represents a pivotal moment in Design Trust’s journey. As Art Basel Hong Kong’s cultural partner hosting the event at Murray House, Stanley Plaza, we are not just celebrating creativity – but also elevating positive values of how design, nature and art, can transform spaces, communities, and perspectives. This initiative embodies our commitment to fostering resilience and innovation in Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area region’s creative ecosystem within an international context. – Marisa Yiu, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Design Trust
Design Trust Charity Benefit 2025, The Art of Transformation
22 March 2025
Murray House, Stanley Plaza, Hong Kong
Curated by Marisa Yiu
Design Trust Legacy Award 2025: Elizabeth Diller, Co-founding Partner of Diller Scofidio + Renfro
Design Trust Heritage Innovator Award 2025: Kai-Yin Lo
Design Trust Arts Prize 2025: Gary Chang
Creative Performance Collaborators 2025: Tap Chan, Joya, Mengzy
Special Thanks to AEfolio for Trophy Design.
Design Trust Charity Benefit 2025 Benefit Committee
Ms. Marisa Yiu, Mr. Kamsen Lau, Mr. Jonathan Cheung, Mr. Ivan Pun, Ms. Desiree Au, Princess Alia Al-Senussi.
Table Patrons
Kamsen Lau, Jonathan Cheung, Yama Chan, Catherine Kwai, Joyce Tam, Pascal de Sarthe, VOGUE HK, Prada, Design Trust Patrons, Design Trustees.
Design Trust Supporters:
Abraham Chan, Veronica Chan, Charade Woo, Alan CK Chan, Sheldon Trainor, Emelda Wong-Trainor, Douglas Wu, Janet Hung, Elaine Kwok, Michelle Ying Ying Hsieh, Gong Xiao Hui, Tom Pen, Yvonne Chau, Krizia Li, Sandra Leung, Michelle Cheng, Alan Chan, Alexandre Errera, Ekachai Jiaravanont, Laura Cheung, Dr. Henry Steiner, Mrs. Margaret Steiner.
Joanne Chow, Philip Sohmen, Kamsen Lau, Eric Schuldenfrei, Pansy Ho, John Lee, Colleen Yu, Sabrina Ho, Jessica Ling, Ivan Pun, Dmitri Potishko, Gregory Van, Angelina Kwan, William Fong, Tim Yu, Thomas Kollar, Yashian Shauble, Adeline Chin, and generous supporters who wish to remain anonymous.
Design Trust Leaders, Influencers, Best Friends:
Ekachai Jiaravanont, Nicolas Moreau, Deming Chen, Justin Wai, Rocco Yim, Tiffany Soong, Natalie Chan, Li Hsien LEE.
Design Trust Friends:
William To, Lavina Lim, Antonio Ng.
Friends of Design Trust Benefit Party Committee:
May Chow, Stephen Ip, Sara Mao, Human Wu, Eric Schuldenfrei, Jenny Suen, Kieran Ho, Aric Chen, Stephanie Poon, Katerin Theys, Elaine Yan Ling Ng, Ingrid Pui Yee Chu, Susan Wong, Lucia Tait Tolani, Patricia Li and Joyce Li.
Art, Design & Lifestyle Lots Donors
William Lim, Stephen Chun Hei Wong and Gallery EXIT, Jianan Hou and De Sarthe, Daphne Mandel, Danful Yang and Pearl Lam Galleries, Dominique Fung and MASSIMODECARLO Gallery, Eddie Lui and Winnie Mak, Gary Chang, Austin Bell and Blue Lotus Gallery, Cynthia Mak and JPS Gallery, Frank Tang, Joseph Munyao Mutuku and Yenn and Alan Lo Foundation, Judy Gee and Studiojgee, Paribawga and Yuyang Wang, Peep and JPS Gallery, Ryo Matsuoka and WKM Gallery, We+, Wing Lam Ngai, Andi Fischer and Sies + Höke, Düsseldorf, The Upper House and Hauser & Wirth.
Organiser and Sponsors
Lead Organiser: Design Trust
Lead Venue Sponsor: Link Asset Management Limited
Champagne & Rose Partner: Whispering Angel
Creative Culinary Partner: May Chow
Charity Benefit Dinner Supported By: The Murray, Hong Kong
Charity Benefit Production Partner: The Ad Region
Chinese Media Partners: Vogue Hong Kong, Wallpaper* China
International Media Partner: designboom
PR Partner: Purple
Auction Partner: Phillips Auction
About the Design Trust Charity Benefit 2025
The establishment of Design Trust in 2014 has positively impacted the design community in support to architects, scholars, design researchers and practitioners with grants in Hong Kong, Greater Bay Area and internationally. Design Trust was established by Hong Kong Ambassadors of Design, a registered charity in Hong Kong since 2007, as a grant funding and community platform continuing to grow and has nurtured and supported over 608 grantees, mentees and collaborative teams over the last decade. This grant initiative and community platform will build on its past achievements to make a larger impact here from Hong Kong to the Greater Bay Area in the coming years.
Design Trust’s annual fundraising event, the Design Trust Charity Benefit 2025 was held on Saturday, 22 March 2025, at the historic Murray House, Stanley Plaza, Hong Kong. The charity event brought together esteemed guests, influential sponsors, and visionaries in design to celebrate the transformative power of creativity under the theme “The Art of Transformation” by Marisa Yiu (Co-Founder, Lead Curator, and Executive Director of Design Trust).
The event also marked the launch of the Design Trust Futures Festival 2025, a three-month programme exploring sustainability, culture, and heritage in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area within an international context. Supported by Lead Venue Sponsor Link Asset Management Limited (Link), the festival transforms Murray House into a community-based cultural venue, featuring exhibitions, public installations, and cultural tours.
The evening included a live auction facilitated by Phillips Auction House and Jonathan Crockett (Chairman, Asia, Phillips), featuring a curated selection of more than 22 exceptional works generously donated by artists and designers.
Board of Directors and Leadership:
Kamsen Lau (Chairman), Marisa Yiu (Co-founder/Executive Director), Denise Lau, Gabriela Kennedy, Ivan Pun, Jonathan Cheung.
Design Trustees, Individuals and Corporates:
Victor Lo, Alan Lo, Daryl Ng, Joyce Tam, Yama Chan, Joanne Chow, Vanessa Cheung, Angelina Kwan, Desiree Au, Bosco Law, Justin Ng, Stephanie Lo, Charmaine Ho, Kristine Li, Dmitri Potshiko, Heidi Ho, Chinachem Group.
International Advisory Council:
Eva Franch, Beatrice Leanza, Liu Xiaodu, Rodman Primack, Thomas Heatherwick, Lyndon Neri, Lars Nittve, Zoë Ryan, Tom Dixon, David Gianotten, Giovanni Alessi Anghini, Liza Chong, Jennifer Caroline Ellis, Eric Höweler.
Greater Bay Area Design Council:
Arnault Castel, William To, Eric Schuldenfrei, Aric Chen, Stephanie Poon, Winnie So, Ole Bouman, Cole Roskam, Suzy Annetta, Keith Tam, Kate Jones, Marc Cansier, Clara Brito, Rong Zhao, Human Wu, Keith Lam, Helen So, Manfred Yuen, Yoko Choy, Krizia Li, Andong Lu, Joe Li, Charade Woo.