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20260818_xu BG new book editor

Prof. Xu Bingang Editor of New Book: Electrical Textiles for Intelligent Applications

Prof. Xu Bingang has edited a new scholarly book entitled Electrical Textiles for Intelligent Applications, which will be published by Springer Singapore. The hardcover edition (ISBN: 978-981-92-2095-3) is scheduled for release in Sep 2026 and will comprise about 379 pages with 135 colour illustrations. The book presents the latest advancements in intelligent electrical textiles. The fundamental principles, material and structural design strategies, fabrication methodologies, performance evaluations, and emerging intelligent applications are covered in the book. Key topics include energy-harvesting, energy-storage, electrochromic, electrodeformation, thermal-regulation, and self-powered intelligent textiles, as well as textile-based sensing technologies and multifunctional integration. With the rapid development of wearable technologies, the demand for textiles that offer functions beyond traditional ones has increased significantly. Electrical Textiles for Intelligent Applications addresses this evolving landscape by exploring how textiles can incorporate self-powering features, sensing capabilities, and intelligent functionalities to support next-generation portable electronics and smart systems. This book highlights current challenges in the field and outlines future research directions, thus serving as a valuable resource for students, scholars, and researchers in smart and functional textiles, wearable technologies, self-powered devices, and intelligent systems. This publication reflects Prof. Xu’s continued leadership in advancing intelligent textile technologies and further strengthens the School’s global research impact in smart textiles and wearable innovation.

18 Aug, 2026

Research & Innovation

PolyU Summer Institute

SFT welcomes high school talents to PolyU Summer Institute 2026

SFT proudly welcomed over 40 local and international high school students to the PolyU Summer Institute 2026, which was held from 27 July to 7 August. This immersion programme offers prospective students a comprehensive picture of university life while encouraging creative and technological exploration in fashion and textiles. In the programme, the students got creative by crafting customised bags and mastering photography in hands-on workshops. Alongside exploring our campus through facility tours, they stepped outside for a site visit to the DX Design Hub, which gave them good insights into this innovative hub dedicated to empowering Hong Kong’s next generation of design talents. Another group of students attended the “Designing Smart Wearables” class, which gave them a firsthand look into intelligent wearable technologies. This direct experience helped them to unleash their interdisciplinary creativity and envision real-world applications for smart designs. The PolyU Summer Institute provides secondary school students with a valuable opportunity to explore their academic interests and experience SFT’s vibrant learning environment. SFT extends its sincere appreciation to all participants for their active engagement, which contributed to the resounding success of the event. 

12 Aug, 2026

Teaching & Learning

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SFT secures key distinctions in IP commercialisation at PolyU Patents Achievement Award 2025

SFT is proud to announce that the PolyU Patents Achievement Award (PPAA) 2025 gave dual recognition to our outstanding achievements. It honours academic departments and faculty members for their exceptional commitment to translating research breakthroughs into practical, commercial solutions. First, SFT was awarded the Most Active IP Commercialisation Award which acknowledges our active role in technology transfer and research impact. Adding to this success, Prof. Tao Xiaoming, Director of the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearables (RI-IWEAR) and Chair Professor of Textile Technology, received the prestigious Outstanding IP Commercialisation Award 2025. These awards celebrate SFT’s significant contributions to global innovation, industry collaborations, and economic development, while reinforcing PolyU’s vibrant culture of high-impact research.Moving forward, SFT remains dedicated to advancing cutting-edge textile and fashion technologies, fostering cross-disciplinary research, and maximising the commercial and societal values of its intellectual property.

10 Aug, 2026

Announcements

20260724 moro_1

Wong Kai-yu and Ng Shu-ching showcase creative knitwear collections in Florence, Italy

Led by Prof. Yadie Yang, SFT Assistant Professor, two talented BA knitwear design students, Wong Kai-yu and Ng Shu-ching, presented their creative collections in Florence, Italy, in June 2026, with the generous sponsorship of M.ORO Cashmere and Lai’s Knitters Limited. Drawing inspiration from furry culture and traditional tie-dye craftsmanship, two collections explore identity, self-expression and personal growth through innovative knitwear design. Following their presentation in Florence, the collections will also be showcased in China and the United States later this year. "Fursona" by Wong Kai-yu “Fursona” is a term used in furry culture to describe a personalised furry character through which an individual expresses their identity, personality and imagined story. The collection explores the sincerity, openness and individuality of the furry community. Although the culture is sometimes misunderstood, its members continue to express their values and authentic selves through the distinctive characters and costumes that they create. Inspired by the idea that elaborate outward appearances can reveal something precious and genuine inside, the collection translates the unique visual language of furry culture into knitwear. The recurring eye motif symbolises the belief that a person’s true character and inner spirit can be seen through their eyes. "Tie-Dye: A Journey of Growth" by Ng Shu-ching Tie-dyeing is a traditional dyeing technique in which every step of the process has its own distinctive character and beauty. Inspired by the different steps and techniques involved in traditional tie-dyeing, the collection draws a parallel between the dyeing process and the various stages of personal growth. Each garment represents a different stage in the journey from childhood to young adulthood. Through changes in colour, pattern and form, the collection narrates the experience of growing up and the gradual shaping of one’s identity. By transforming the tie-dyeing processes into a visual and tactile design language, the collection celebrates the beauty of traditional craftsmanship while offering a thoughtful reflection on life, transformation and self-discovery.

24 Jul, 2026

Teaching & Learning

RGC funding

SFT secures RGC funding for six research projects in 2026/27

We are thrilled to celebrate with our SFT academic staff who have successfully secured prestigious funding from the General Research Fund (GRF) under the Research Grants Council (RGC) for 2026/27. They are the recipients of a total of $4.56 million in research funding across six projects. Our heartiest congratulations to the following academic staff: Principal Investigator Co-Investigator Project Title Prof. Chen Jianming Prof. Liu Wei, Shenzhen PKU-HKUST Medical Center Prof. Zhang Yaopeng, Donghua University Innovative expression system and liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS)-mediated spinning for artificial spider silk Prof. Fan Di Prof. Yiu Daphne Wing-Yee, Singapore Management University Entangled at Global Geopolitical Chokepoints: How Third-Country Firms Reconfigure for Strategic Resilience in the Era of Politicized Global Economy Prof. Magnum Lam Prof. Christina Wong, SFT Solutions for Post-Consumer Garment Waste Management: An Investigation of Sorting Mechanism for Reuse Prof. Pu Junhong  Prof. Tao Xiaoming, SFT Hierarchical Textile Dielectric Elastomer Actuators for Low-Voltage, High-Integration, and High-Force Artificial Muscles Dr Alice Yao N/A Design of an Innovative Size-free Co-knit Weaving System for Sustainable Production Prof. Annie Yu Prof. Yick Kit-lun, SFT Dr Ng Sun-pui, PolyU CPCE Prof. Leong Hio Teng, Rehabilitation Sciences Gradient 3D Knitting of Stretchable Cushion for Knee Protection of the Elderly .telerik-reTable-2 { border-collapse: collapse; border: solid 0px; font-family: Tahoma; } .telerik-reTable-2 tr.telerik-reTableHeaderRow-2 { border-width: 1.0pt 1.0pt 3.0pt 1.0pt; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; width: 119.7pt; border: solid white 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; background: #4F81BD; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; color: #FFFFFF; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableHeaderFirstCol-2 { border-width: 1.0pt 1.0pt 3.0pt 1.0pt; border: solid white 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableHeaderLastCol-2 { border-width: 1.0pt 1.0pt 3.0pt 1.0pt; border: solid white 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableHeaderOddCol-2 { border-width: 1.0pt 1.0pt 3.0pt 1.0pt; border: solid white 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableHeaderEvenCol-2 { border-width: 1.0pt 1.0pt 3.0pt 1.0pt; border: solid white 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 tr.telerik-reTableOddRow-2 { color: #666666; background-color: #F2F3F4; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: top; } .telerik-reTable-2 tr.telerik-reTableEvenRow-2 { color: #666666; background-color: #E7EBF7; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: top; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableFirstCol-2 { margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; width: 119.7pt; border-top: none; border-left: solid white 1.0pt; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 3.0pt; background: #4F81BD; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; color: #FFFFFF; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableLastCol-2 { padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableOddCol-2 { padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableEvenCol-2 { padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 tr.telerik-reTableFooterRow-2 { color: #666666; background-color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: top; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableFooterFirstCol-2 { margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; width: 119.7pt; border-top: none; border-left: solid white 1.0pt; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 3.0pt; background: #4F81BD; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; color: #FFFFFF; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableFooterLastCol-2 { padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableFooterOddCol-2 { padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableFooterEvenCol-2 { padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } These achievements underscore SFT’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence and pioneering research. Kudos to our colleagues for continuously pushing the boundaries of fashion and textile innovation, and bringing meaningful benefits to Hong Kong society and beyond!

17 Jul, 2026

Research & Innovation

20260715 EditorinChief

Prof. Xu Bingang appointed Editor-in-Chief of npj Self-Powered Electronics

Adding to his impressive portfolio of involvement with top-tier journals, Prof. Xu Bingang has been appointed Editor-in-Chief of npj Self-Powered Electronics, a prestigious new Nature Portfolio journal published by Springer Nature. The journal focuses on the development and application of electronic systems, including smart wearable devices and systems, that operate independently of external power sources, thereby highlighting innovations in energy harvesting, conversion, storage, and self-powered sensing that enable the autonomous operation of devices across a variety of different environments. In addition to his role as Editor-in-Chief of npj Self-Powered Electronics, Prof. Xu currently serves as Associate Editor for two Springer Nature journals: Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy and Fibers and Polymers, and sits on the editorial board of a number of other high-impact SCI journals, including Advanced Fiber Materials (Springer Nature) and Sustainable Materials and Technologies (Elsevier). Prof. Xu’s research focuses on advanced functional textiles including smart and electronic textiles. He is internationally recognised for his pioneering contributions to high-performance energy harvesting and storage textiles, wearable sensing systems, and self-powered wearable devices. Leading a dynamic research team at the forefront of this rapidly evolving field, Prof. Xu has published more than 160 peer-reviewed articles in leading SCI journals with impact factors over 10.0, including Nature Communications, Matter, and Advanced Materials. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Prof. Xu has been elected Fellow of The Textile Institute.

15 Jul, 2026

Research & Innovation

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SFT partners with lululemon to promote circular fashion and nurture design talent

SFT has teamed up with lululemon to launch the first structure academic-industry partnership. Launched alongside the relaunched of lululemon’s "Like New" programme in Hong Kong, the collaboration connects circular activewear education with real-world industry practice through three initiatives running until November 2026. RE:FORM – a circular design competition where students are reimagining end-of-life lululemon garments with guidance from industry mentors. Like New Campus Voices - a student-led initiative that promotes circularity and responsible consumption across the university community. Move Like New - experiential wellness activities on campus that connect mindful living with circular fashion. Prof. Chloe Ki said the collaboration connects circular fashion education with industry practice and offers meaningful learning opportunities for students. “The collaboration is more than an educational experience — it represents a meaningful academic–industry model that strengthens knowledge exchange and demonstrates how partnerships can foster a more circular ecosystem.” The partnership reflects SFT’s commitment to advancing sustainability, innovation and academic–industry collaboration in fashion education, while helping to prepare the next generation of sustainable fashion leaders. Related media coverage on Marketing-Interactive and Hong Kong Economic Times

8 Jul, 2026

Partnership & Community

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Fujian Study Tour: understanding more about fashion, textile and cultural developments in Chinese mainland

Supported by the Fujian Liaison Unit of the HKSAR Government and Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Fujian, 21 SFT staff and students participated in a seven-day study tour to Fujian from 28 June to 4 July. The study tour covered three cities in Fujian Province: Fuzhou, Quanzhou, and Xiamen, and structured to accommodate three main themes: industrial exploration, cultural heritage, and academic dialogue. Led by Prof. Kan Chi-wai, Associate Dean of SFT, the participants experienced and enjoyed the dynamic interaction of fashion, innovation, industry and culture of the Min (Ten Kingdoms閩) state. During the programme, students also visited leading enterprises of various industries such as Highsun Holding Group (恒申控股集團); E&D Group (福建財茂集團) which manages one of the China’s top 10 children wear brands, TOPBI (淘帝童裝); ANTA Sports (安踏體育用品), Septwolves (七匹狼); Rookie Clothing (永興東潤服飾); Xinhee (欣賀); and Douyin (抖音). The participants gained in-depth insights into local industrial development trends after taking part in guided tours and exchanges that explore the fashion and textile sectors in Fujian. The visits also broadened their horizons and career perspectives in the Chinese mainland.    The tour also included dedicated academic exchange sessions in which academics and students from the Xiamen Academy of Arts and Design of Fuzhou University and Xiamen University shared their experiences and engaged in conversations with the Hong Kong students. Recommended reading: 【港青来闽研学‧共襄闽港交流】驻福建联络处合办香港理工大学时装及纺织学院福建省研学团 Recommended watching:   

8 Jul, 2026

Teaching & Learning

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PolyU Fashion Show 2026 wraps up in dazzling display of exquisite craftsmanship and innovative technology, as emerging designers narrate distinctive aesthetics

SFT held its annual signature event, the PolyU Fashion Show 2026, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 3 July. The Show featured 21 talented graduating students, who unveiled a series of inventive fashion collections on the runway while competing for five awards and scholarships supported by the School’s industry partners. As PolyU’s hallmark annual fashion gala, the Show serves as a platform for emerging designers to demonstrate the skills and professional knowledge they have acquired and to express their unique fashion aesthetics through creative designs. This year’s event gathered nearly 1,200 industry experts, designers and fashion enthusiasts, while nearly 13,000 viewers from around the world joined via livestream, underscoring the vibrancy of the local fashion scene. This year’s Fashion Show featured 21 fashion collections comprising 78 outfits, spanning casual wear, evening wear, intimate apparel and activewear. All works were meticulously designed by graduating students from the School’s flagship programme, the BA (Hons) Scheme in Fashion and Textiles. Through the language of fashion, the collections navigated a wide range of themes such as social ideologies, identity and multiculturalism. In their creative process, students incorporated multiple experimental techniques, including 3D printing, vacuum-formed resin moulding, fermentation and crystallisation processes, as well as organic materials such as bioplastics and kombucha scoby. The works fully demonstrated the innovative spirit and the courage to break new ground of this new generation of designers. Prof. Erin Cho, Dean of PolyU SFT, said, “PolyU has long ranked among the world’s leading institutions in fashion and design-related academic disciplines. Over the years, it has nurtured generations of outstanding fashion design talents who have led industry trends with innovative thinking, cutting-edge technology and refined craftsmanship. As an important platform for emerging designers to showcase their innovative ideas and distinctive fashion styles, the PolyU Fashion Show has earned recognition from the local and international fashion communities. This year’s Show fully reflects our students’ passion for fashion design, their resilience and their commitment to professionalism and excellence. Every collection embodies its creator’s distinctive style and aesthetic vision. While honouring the legacy of craftsmanship, they have also boldly embraced innovation and pushed beyond traditional boundaries. I am confident that these emerging designers will continue to shine on both the local and international stage, contributing to the development of the fashion industry.” Five awards and scholarships were presented at the Show to recognise participating graduates for their outstanding performance and to encourage them to continue pursuing excellence in the fashion industry. Among them, the Consinee Grand Award, sponsored by Consinee Group Co. Limited, provided the evening’s highlight. The Award was judged by five distinguished alumni active in different areas of the fashion industry, namely Ms Anne Chow, Marketing and Business Development Manager of Consinee Group Co. Limited; Ms Constance Lee, Founder of CONSTYLE and Fashion Stylist; Ms Florence Tsui, Brand Manager of ONS Clothing – New York; Mr Kit Wan, Founder and Creative Director of Kit Wan Studios; and Mr Wilson Yip, Founder of Wilsonkaki. The HKIAIA Overall Grand Award was judged by Ms Karen Ng, Secretary of the Hong Kong Intimate Apparel Industries’ Association (HKIAIA). Members of the judging panels for the other awards and scholarships included Ms Janet Cheung, Project Director of the Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association (HKFDA); Prof. Alice Chu, Hon. Education Advisor of SFAA Foundation Limited; and Ms Dilys Yiu, Design Director of Anteprima Ltd, Fenix Group Holdings Ltd. The Consinee Grand Award was ultimately presented to Cheng Sze-ki, Bella from the specialism of fashion design, for her collection themed “BETWIXT AND BETWEEN”. Drawing inspiration from Zygmunt Bauman’s Liquid Modernity and Arnold van Gennep’s Rites of Passage, this collection reimagines liminality not as a fleeting transitional phase, but as a lasting and authentic state of identity. It focuses on the tension between the inner true self and the socially constructed image. A monochromatic palette of black, white, and grey forms the foundation of the series, layered with iridescent, chameleon-like liquid finishes that evoke constant transformation. Deconstructed suiting silhouettes, inverted jacket structures and layered sheer fabrics visualise an amorphous, fluid sense of identity, while traditional bespoke wool tailoring blends with innovative materials such as transparent SLA 3D-printed resin and laser-engraved organza, creating a striking interplay between structure and fluidity, permanence and change. The HKIAIA Overall Grand Award was won by Cheng Sin-kei, Fion from the specialism of intimate apparel and activewear, for her collection themed “Unraveled soul”. This collection is driven by the designer’s fascination with the unseen dimensions of the human psyche. Elusive, intangible and impossible to define, the soul becomes a metaphor for fluidity, freedom and constant transformation. Translating this ethereal essence into form, the collection explores a state of purity untouched by external forces. Soft tonal palettes, weightless translucent fabrics, and fluid, irregular silhouettes come together to evoke a dreamlike sensuality—inviting a deeper encounter with individuality, authenticity, and the beauty of the unguarded self. Awardee list is as follows: Consinee Grand Award "BETWIXT AND BETWEEN" designed by Cheng Sze-ki, Bella (Fashion design specialism) HKIAIA Overall Grand Award "Unraveled soul" designed by Cheng Sin-kei, Fion (Intimate apparel and activewear specialism) Fenix Young Talent Award "The Anatomy of Collapse" designed by Yau Hiu-man, Hazel (Knitwear design and technology specialism) SFAA x Prosperity - Go Green Award "Where the Light Begins" designed by Ng Yau-nga, Ann (Fashion design specialism) HKFDA Scholarship of Creativity 2026 "The Boat With Severed Rope" designed by Chan Lam, Lynn (Fashion design specialism) Please read the electronic brochure for more about 21 collections.    

6 Jul, 2026

Shows & Exhibitions

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SFT students embark on seven-day cultural journey to Tianjin

Tianjin is a historic city renowned for its rich cultural heritage, which has been shaped over centuries by its unique port history and diverse local traditions. To explore this vibrant culture, a delegation of SFT students embarked on an immersive seven-day exchange programme to Tianjin on 23 June 2026. The trip was held under the theme, "Preserve Art • Dialogue • Mutual Appreciation – Excellent Traditional Culture and Arts of China: Tianjin, Hong Kong, and Macao Inheritance and Co-creation Practice." Co-organised by PolyU, Tiangong University, and Macao Polytechnic University, the initiative represents a powerful collaboration to foster cross-regional youth exchange and cultural preservation. During the intensive seven-day programme, the students participated in a series of hands-on workshops and cultural visits. Highlights included interactive sessions with celebrated masters of iconic crafts, such as Clay Figurine Zhang (泥人張), the national-level Yangliuqing woodblock printing (楊柳青畫莊), and the intricate Tianjin-style filigree inlay (津派花絲鑲嵌). To bridge heritage with modern innovation, the students also attended a seminar on "Intelligent Technology and Chinese Cultural Communication" to explore how digital tools can revitalise the traditional arts. The journey was complemented by local cultural visits, including a scenic cruise along the Haihe River. This collaborative journey successfully brought the three core dimensions of the project to life: · Preserve Art (守藝): The students traced the historical roots of Tianjin’s intangible cultural heritage by analysing how these traditional skills can be preserved for future generations. · Dialogue (對話): By working directly with master artisans, the SFT students explored potential collaborations, which combined traditional craftsmanship with modern design perspectives. · Mutual Appreciation (互鑑): Using art education as a shared journey, the programme provided the space for academic staff and students from Hong Kong, Macao, and Tianjin to co-create, thus ensuring that heritage education has been deeply embedded in all three communities. Through this experiential journey, the students not only gained a firsthand appreciation of Tianjin’s urban charm and artistic vitality, but actively contributed to the preservation, inheritance, and modernisation of China’s shared cultural legacy.

30 Jun, 2026

Teaching & Learning

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