Hong Kong has the image of a financial city buzzing with well-tailored bankers, but there is a growing number of creative entrepreneurs.

There are lawyers and auditors turned into jewelry designers, a dentist who launched a children’s concept store, a teacher-turned-bag designer as well as an economist and a neurologist learning pattern making with me.

Hong Kong combines an over-educated population with easy access to raw materials and  production facilities.

An amazing city of self-reinvention, Hong Kong encourages people to try something new, even in creative fields. In France, you would need to return to school to learn a new skill (and it would need to be the “right” school”). Here in Hong Kong, the motto seems stolen from Nike: “just do it”.

New companies and ventures seem to launch at the same rhythm as all the new buildings going up. People will support you without judging. Whether you succeed or fail, nobody minds.

Many of the best new endeavors were on show this Saturday at an event pulled together by fashion designer Marisa Zeman. Held at The Space, her event gathers handpicked creative entrepreneurs in their first years of launching their business.

In addition to Marisa’s own luxury beachwear (Nude is Rude), participants included several friends – bag designer Michelle Lai (Mischa), eco jewelry designer Jeanine Hsu (niin), children’s sleepwear designer Marleen Molenaar (Marleen Molenaar Sleepwear) and furniture designer-turned-telephone designer Igor Duc (Moshi Moshi).

Clockwise: Michelle Lai (MISCHA), Jeanine Hsu (niin), Aurelien (Moshi Moshi) and Marleen Molenaar (Marleen Molenaar Sleepwear)

The event’s success is due to selectivity. Instead opening to anyone who signs up, those allowed to exhibit must chosen by a selection committee. Perhaps a sign that in hyper-competitive Hong Kong, even creatives faces competition.