Ms Emma YU Sin-wan
Co-Founder, Dress Green
Bilingual Corporate Communication graduate
The resurgence of recycling and the thriving second-hand clothing industry have breathed new life into outdated garments. Yet, amid the plentiful options for everyday clothes, a niche remained unfilled – school and work uniforms – until the advent of a social enterprise idea.
Through a chance encounter, Ms Emma Yu Sin-wan, a Bilingual Corporate Communication graduate of PolyU, stumbled upon a staggering fact in Hong Kong: four million school uniforms are discarded annually. This astounding figure, though little known, concerned Emma greatly, who saw the potential in recycling these garments. Fuelled by her social entrepreneurial spirit, she decided to pioneer a sustainable fashion approach – upcycling old school and work uniforms. This wasn’t a fleeting idea but a culmination of her lifelong passion for environmental conservation. From a young age, she had developed habits of recycling and reusing, sewing discarded clothing into new items, and transforming unused home renovation materials into storage racks. As her passion continued to grow, Dress Green was born.
Emma leads her team to use old garments to create new products through diverse designs. They also collaborate with low-income and local retired textile workers, providing valuable employment to enhance their livelihoods. The UNI Green Series is their creative joint effort, which features a wide range of items such as commemorative UNI Bears for primary and secondary schools, pencil cases, tote bags, and fisherman’s hats. These give uniforms a second life, continuing to be cherished by people in various ways. In just three years, Emma and her team have successfully upcycled 3,000 pieces of clothing into over 4,000 products, and have provided more than 3,500 working hours to local women and underprivileged communities, actively contributing to the development of a sustainable society.
Reaching the summit is never a straight path, and like many start-ups, Emma’s social enterprise has had its fair share of valleys. During the pandemic, collaborative projects were either cancelled or delayed. Uncertain about the future, this eco-conscious trailblazer recalled the encouraging words from her mother when she embarked on this journey: “If you start something, you must persist and not give up halfway.” Emma is grateful to her alma mater, too. “In 2021, PolyU Micro Fund provided seed funding to my start-up, and later nominated us to join the Design Incubation Programme of the Hong Kong Design Centre. Our social entrepreneurial vision not only took root but also gained access to crucial resources and mentorship!”
Enthusiastic about empowering the younger generation to embrace environmental protection, Emma has been actively engaging in school workshops, providing children with opportunities to discover the inner workings of the fashion industry. She is well-versed in the power of digital platforms as well, leveraging social media and online channels to foster cross-industry business collaboration with Kerry Properties, Jardine Matheson, The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, and so on. From the Hong Kong Smart Design Awards 2022, the Singapore Good Design Awards 2023, to Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2024, Emma’s achievements have greatly solidified her dedication to sustainable practices.
“Entrepreneurship is like conducting experiments, where there is no single right path. Every endeavour is a trial-and-error process. If one approach fails, reflect on the reasons and make adjustments before trying again.” As Emma puts it, experience is the key to success. Though the path may not always be broad and smooth, with an open mind, a spirit of exploration, and keen observation, one can find triumph even on the narrowest roads.
Entrepreneurship is like conducting experiments, where there is no single right path. Every endeavour is a trial-and-error process. If one approach fails, reflect on the reasons and make adjustments before trying again.
Publishing Date: July 2024
