In an era where everyone tries to promote themselves through algorithmic games, SKAI ISYOURGOD has chosen the simplest path: putting on some shades, picking up the microphone, and manifesting  your prosperity.

Over the past year, as his music resonated globally, SKAI never carried the weight of "spreading Chinese hip-hop culture" like a mission. Instead, he glided through international shows and tours with a laid-back, workday kind of cool—simply showing the world how to flow with success.

If you want to understand the secrets behind SKAI’s success, don’t miss this edition of TRUE STORY!

Born in Hong Kong, Sunny Sun is a rising actor active in contemporary cinema, gaining wide recognition through films such as The Crossing, No More Bets, and Honey Money Phony. Beyond film, he is also known for his distinctive sense of style and long-standing passion for sneakers, making him a recognizable presence within youth culture communities.

Returning to ComplexCon Hong Kong this year, Sunny Sun joins the conversation from multiple perspectives, exploring how sneaker culture continues to evolve and how it can maintain authenticity, attitude, and creativity in a rapidly shifting trend landscape. His third consecutive year of participation is more than just presence—it reflects a lasting and genuine cultural connection.

Since 2013, XIAOPIHAI has built his influence as a YouTuber deeply rooted in sneaker and streetwear culture. He later founded Futuremade Studio (FTMD.), blending Southeast Asian cultural influences with streetwear into a distinctive creative language. He is also a co-founder of Malaysia’s major sneaker marketplace, SneakerLah, and actively contributes to the local car culture scene.

In 2026, XIAOPIHAI returns to connect diverse creative voices on the evolution of sneaker culture and explore how it can be reimagined for the future.

Based between cultures and shaped by both Asian roots and a Parisian starting point, Jose Wong moves fluidly between street culture, digital space, and real-world communities. Unbound by labels or fixed identities, he operates as a connector—building creative ecosystems rather than chasing products. His work is less about objects and more about reworking rules, systems, and everyday structures.

Jose will join fellow speakers to explore how sneakers can evolve beyond style symbols and become a continuously redefined cultural phenomenon.

An emerging visual voice in fashion and art, Ma Hailun is known for a visual language that blends a humanistic perspective with contemporary expression. Her work explores youth culture, identity, and emotions, capturing the tension between body, feeling, and cultural context with a subtle yet powerful sensitivity—continually expanding the boundaries of fashion imagery and visual storytelling.

Ma Hailun will join the conversation from her dual perspective as a fashion photographer and cultural observer, to explore the evolution and future of sneaker culture. Bringing a visual approach, she will collaborate with creators from different fields to reimagine what “future sneaker culture” can become.

Born in 2001, Marc Su previously served as New Media Design Director at BB ART and is currently studying Product and Furniture Design at the University of the Arts London. His work explores the relationship between materials, craftsmanship, and emotion, blending humanistic perspectives with future-facing material experiments. Through practices like 3D printing, he transforms memory and feeling into tangible design expressions.

Su will join the discussion from the perspective of a new-generation designer, engaging in conversations around the evolution and future of sneaker culture—exploring how materials, cultural perception, and emotional experience can shape new possibilities for future sneaker design.

A five-time Olympic representative for Hong Kong and the holder of 15 Hong Kong swimming records, Stephanie Au is one of the city’s most iconic athletes. She served as Hong Kong’s flag bearer at the 2016 Rio Olympic Opening Ceremony, and in 2023 co-founded the mental health initiative Mind the Waves, dedicated to supporting youth well-being and emotional health.

After joining the Sneaker of the Year conversation in 2025, Stephanie returns this year to bring her voice as an athlete to the dialogue. She will take part in discussions around sneaker culture and youth spirit, connecting athletic values with contemporary cultural expression.

Steven Smith, the "Godfather of Sneakers," is the designer your favorite designers look up to. For over 40 years, he's shaped sneaker history, creating iconic footwear for giants like Nike, adidas, Reebok, New Balance, and FILA. Many of his early designs are still influential today, regularly revived through collaborations and modern updates.

In 2024, he stepped into a new role as Head of Creative Innovation at Crocs, where he's applying his visionary touch to new silhouettes and redefining the brand's design language.
Want to hear the creative process and personal favorites straight from the Godfather himself? Don’t miss this rare opportunity.

As the son of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, Shareef O’Neal moves seamlessly between basketball and street culture. A power forward on the court, he played college basketball at UCLA and LSU before continuing his professional career with the NBA G League Ignite. Off the court, Shareef is equally recognized for his sharp style and passion for streetwear, often showcasing his distinctive looks on social media. This year, Shareef will bring his perspective on basketball, fashion, and sneakers—adding a fresh, next-generation voice to the conversation.

Born in Hong Kong, actor Sunny Sun has graced the big screen with notable performances, while also capturing the fashion world's attention through his expressive style and sharp eye for trends. His film credits include acclaimed works such as The Crossing, No More Bets, and Honey Money Phoney, which have earned him a dedicated following. Having shared his passion for sneakers at the past two ComplexCon Hong Kong, Sunny returns to the stage once again for Sneaker of the Year. What fresh insights will he bring this time? And which sneaker stood out as his personal favorite over the past year? Let’s get ready for another memorable sharing!

A defining force in contemporary street culture, Don C has operated at the nexus of music, fashion, and professional sports—from co-founding RSVP Gallery to establishing the luxury streetwear brand Just Don. His iconic collaborations since 2011 include partnerships with Jordan, Nike, Converse, Levi’s, Mitchell & Ness, and American Express. In 2022, he further solidified his influence by becoming the Creative Strategy and Design Advisor for the Chicago Bulls, reinforcing his position where sports and culture converge. At Sneaker of the Year, Don C will share his perspective as a cultural architect and creative visionary.

A veteran sneaker collector and one of the most influential figures in Hong Kong’s sneaker scene, H has been deeply immersed in sneaker culture for over 23 years. He founded and continues to run HK-Kicks.com, the city's longest-standing and most iconic sneaker platform—playing a key role in documenting and shaping the culture's evolution both locally and across Asia. Over the years, H has collaborated with major global sportswear brands on numerous initiatives. One of his most notable projects was co-launching KICKS LOUNGE with Nike, which has since become a landmark within Hong Kong's sneaker culture. This year, H returns to Sneaker of the Year to once again offer his perspective as a seasoned collector and cultural connector, guiding deeper conversations around sneakers, cities, and cultural evolution.

Aria Hughes is the editor-in-chief at Complex and the host of Please Explain. She joined Complex in 2019 as the deputy style editor, covering the cross section of culture, fashion, and streetwear and overseeing the style vertical. In 2022 she was promoted to editorial creative director, overseeing organic edit content, cover stories, and larger editorial initiatives, including Complex Volume, a quarterly digital zine. She now oversees all premium content, which includes Complex covers and larger features.

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Qz Zhang is a culture host and creative operator who has spent the last decade inside music and fashion culture, close enough to know what matters and what doesn’t.
With a background at INNERSECT, i-D China and Complex Chinese, she’s worked alongside artists and industry legends before turning the lens inward.

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As the founder of STAPLE and a pioneer of global street culture, Jeff Staple has been shaping streetwear and sneaker culture since launching his brand in 1997. His 2005 collaboration with Nike on the iconic “Pigeon Dunk” is widely regarded as a defining moment in modern sneaker history, helping to launch the era of limited releases and sneaker lineups. Moving fluidly between design, culture, business, and community, he is not only a designer but a cultural connector and thought leader who consistently bridges Eastern and Western creative worlds. He will join the conversation as both witness and builder, offering firsthand insight into the evolution of street culture, creative ecosystems, and global cultural exchange.

As one of the most iconic jacket designers at the intersection of street and sports culture, Jeff Hamilton has defined generations of style—from creating legendary championship jackets for Michael Jordan and NBA dynasties to collaborating with brands like Supreme, Nike, Kith, and OVO. His work bridges sports, music, fashion, and street culture, making him both a witness to and an architect of its journey from underground movement to global phenomenon. At The Evolution and Future of Street Culture, Hamilton will share his perspective as an OG on how the culture has evolved—and where it's headed next.

As the founder of the Brooklyn-based creative collective MSCHF, Gabriel Whaley is known for blurring the lines between art, fashion, technology, and satire—constantly challenging cultural norms and value systems. From the viral “Jesus Shoes” project to globally discussed conceptual experiments, MSCHF continues to disrupt industry boundaries and reshape how creativity and culture are perceived. The collective has received major international recognition, including being named one of Fast Company's 50 Most Innovative Companies.
At ComplexCon(versations), Whaley will bring his perspective as a creative disruptor and cultural provocateur, offering sharp insights into contemporary culture, systems, and creative expression.