Dreams are often woven with passion, forming a rich and intricate tapestry of life.
Some express their youthful aspirations through art; others explore the future in research labs.
Ms Margo Lee Ching, a graduate of PolyU’s School of Fashion and Textiles, exemplifies the spirit of cross-disciplinary dream-weaving. As a manga artist under the pen name “Ài rì lì”, Margo inspires her readers with passion and creativity; as a newly minted PhD, she leverages textile technology to make the world a warmer place. The story of this 90s-born alumna, filled with chapters of perseverance and innovation, could easily be compiled into a tankōbon, with each panel radiating boldness and a spirit of boundary-crossing.
A manga artist and a PhD scholar – was Margo a prodigy from the start? Not exactly. While she exhibited artistic talent early in life, her academic journey was far from smooth. During her secondary school years, Margo hit a rough patch, once failing four subjects. Despite her best efforts in the public exam, she had an unsuccessful attempt at JUPAS and failed to secure a university offer. Struggling to explain her situation to family and friends, she stumbled upon a new opportunity – admission to PolyU’s Higher Diploma in Textiles and Clothing. That unexpected turn became a pivotal moment in her life, much like the experience of a manga protagonist. “I honestly had no idea what textiles entailed back then, nor did I ever think I’d become a fashion designer... But because of that, I opened a blind box that would change my life,” Margo recalls.
Immersed in PolyU’s dynamic learning environment, Margo began to transform. She overcame the mistakes of her secondary school years, learning to manage her time and strategise for assignments and exams. The results were remarkable. “From scoring only Level 4 in all my DSE subjects and facing university rejections, to achieving a GPA of 4.0 and enrolling in a bachelor’s programme, and ultimately graduating from PolyU with First Class Honours, I transformed into a better version of myself.”
Of course, grades aren’t everything. Throughout her journey, Margo’s creative drive never wavered. She held two exhibitions, published three mangas, and earned the Runner-up position in the Comic Category of the CLIP STUDIO PAINT International Comic/Manga School Contest 2023 with her work “Glitter Stone”. PolyU not only witnessed “Ài rì lì” win her first international manga award but also marked the beginning of “Dr Lee Ching’s” scholarly path – the four transformative years on campus ignited Margo’s passion for research, leading her to pursue a PhD at her alma mater.
Over the next four years, Margo brought the energy of a manga protagonist to her doctoral studies, unlocking a new hidden edition of life’s blind boxes. “I must thank Prof. Jeanne Tan for her encouragement and support! My team and I translated the doctoral research into the smart, temperature-regulating heated jacket, Chromaheat AI, and even brought our innovation to Italy, where it won the 2025 Bronze A’ Design Award!” Margo’s excitement is infectious. This intelligent heating jacket, which optimises thermal comfort based on factors like age, gender, humidity, and wind speed, perfectly blends technology with fashion – who says the imagination of nijigen, the two-dimensional manga world, can’t become part of reality?
Margo’s life of creativity and innovation is far from over. Her refusal to be confined by a single identity epitomises the innovative and multifaceted spirit of PolyU alumni. What’s next for Dr Lee? “I hope to open more blind boxes in life alongside other dream chasers, learning as much as possible to unlock our hidden potential. As long as we hold onto our dreams and are willing to explore, we can all live out the best versions of ourselves.”
I honestly had no idea what textiles entailed back then, nor did I ever think I’d become a fashion designer... But because of that, I opened a blind box that would change my life.
Publishing Date: September 2025
