News

Yang Jing wins first place in Fiber Society Graduate Student Paper Competition 2025

We are delighted to announce that PhD student Yang Jing has earned first place in The Fiber Society Graduate Student Paper Competition (GSPC) 2025. The award was presented at The Fiber Society 2025 Fall Conference, held from 22 to 24 October 2025 at the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware, USA. Established in 1985, the GSPC recognises outstanding graduate-level research in the science, technology, and application of fibres. Yang’s paper, “Wearable Fluidic Fabric with Excellent Heat Transfer Performance for Sports Recovery”, was selected for an oral presentation and ultimately received the competition’s top honour. This achievement reflects the important work conducted under Prof. Tao Xiaoming’s Sports Science and Research Funding Scheme (SSRFS), with key support from the Industrial Centre (IC) and the Hong Kong Sports Institute. Congratulations to Jing on this outstanding accomplishment.

Prof. Tao Xiaoming’s team publishes paper in Nature - Vector-Stimuli-Responsive Magnetorheological Fibrous Materials

A team of SFT researchers, led by Prof. Tao Xiaoming, Vincent and Lily Woo Professor in Textile Technology, Chair Professor of Textile Technology, and Director of the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems; Dr Pu Junhong, Research Assistant Professor; Dr Li Haiqiong, Research Assistant; Dr Liu Jin, PhD graduate and Ms Li Ke, PhD student, has reported soft fibres and fibre assemblies that can quickly and reversibly change their form and mechanical characteristics in response to a safe and low magnetic field. These programmable textiles have potential applications in soft robotics, electromagnetic devices and wearable technologies. Magnetorheological (MR) materials like fluids or polymer composites can change shape or mechanical properties quickly when exposed to a magnetic field. Typically, magnetic particles suspended in a fluid or polymer medium form fibre-like structures under a magnetic field, which change their properties. However, issues such as sedimentation and aggregation in fluid-based MR materials lead to instability and inconsistent performance. While MR polymer composites solve some stability problems, they often inhibit responsiveness due to the restrictive polymer matrix and ineffective magnetic micro-particles. To address these issues, the research team designed fibrous MR materials. They created soft-magnetic polymer composite fibres that are 57 microns in diameter, and can be manipulated with low-strength, human-safe magnetic fields. This was achieved by uniformly distributing carbonyl-iron particles within a low-density polyethylene matrix, which allows for magnetic alignment and prevents sedimentation. Using these MR fibres, the team constructed various fibrous architectures, including yarns and multi-layer fabrics, without relying on magnetically inactive bonding matrices. This innovative system enables a scalable approach from fibres to large-area fabrics with directional deformation control. Unlike traditional responsive materials that react to scalar stimuli, these MR textiles respond to 'vectorial' magnetic fields. This breakthrough extends MR technology into fibrous forms by combining tuneable stiffness with versatile deformation while incorporating lightweight, flexible, and breathable textile properties—capabilities not present in traditional MR systems. The strategies employed can also apply to hard-magnetic fibrous materials, thus transforming standard rigid magnetic devices into soft, flexible alternatives. Such advancements could pave the way for a new generation of soft robotics, electro-mechanical devices, and wearable systems. The team's low-magnetic-field control technology will be crucial for human-centred applications, with plans for both remote magnetic manipulation and the integration of textile-based electromagnets within fabrics. The progress of the smart MR fibrous assemblies is the result of over 30 years of research led by Prof. Tao. This extensive study has explored a wide array of applications, from sensors to actuators and systems. The programmable MR fibre assemblies were developed through collaborative efforts from various disciplines aimed at creating future wearable devices that mimic human sensory capabilities, as a part of the Theme-based Research Scheme funded by the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong. The full article can be accessed here.

SFT ranked 5th among global top 50 in textile science and engineering

SFT has achieved a significant milestone in the ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025, advancing from 7th to 5th place among the Top 50 in the "Textile Science & Engineering" category. This remarkable progress highlights SFT’s outstanding growth and unwavering commitment to academic excellence on the international stage. The ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects is a highly regarded evaluation that assesses universities worldwide based on their academic performance and research impact across various disciplines. The impressive rise of SFT in the rankings is a testament to its dedication to advancing research, fostering innovation, and nurturing talent in the fashion and textile industry.    Prof. Erin Cho, Dean of SFT, expressed pride in the School's accomplishment, stating, " This achievement marks a significant and rapid ascent. When I arrived in 2023, we were ranked 25th. We jumped to 7th in 2024 and have now climbed again to our current position at 5th globally." SFT remains at the forefront of cutting-edge research and development in textiles, with a strong focus on sustainable practices, advanced materials, and innovative technologies. The School’s collaborative partnerships with industry and emphasis on real-world applications have further strengthened its reputation as a leader in the field. This achievement not only enhances PolyU’s global standing but also reinforces Hong Kong’s position as a hub for academic excellence and innovation in textile science and engineering. As SFT continues to pursue excellence, the School is dedicated to shaping the future of the textile industry through pioneering research and education. For more information on ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025, please visit: https://www.shanghairanking.com/institution/the-hong-kong-polytechnic-university

31st School of Fashion and Textiles Congregation

The 31st Congregation was successfully concluded on 12 November, presided over by School Dean Prof. Erin Cho. At the Congregation, held in the Jockey Club Auditorium on campus, Master of Philosophy, Master of Arts and Bachelor degrees were awarded to 358 graduates, where 33 PhD graduates were awarded at the Main Session of the University on 1 November. Prof. Cho extended her warmest congratulations to all graduates and wished them every success in their future careers or studies. The School conferred academic awards on a total of 391 students this year, including 33 Doctor of Philosophy degree graduates, 2 Master of Philosophy degree graduates, 161 taught master’s degree graduates, and 195 bachelor’s degree graduates. House programme is available here.

New appointments

SFT is pleased to welcome to Prof. Joselito Razal who took up the positions of Professor, and Prof. Andy Hou and Dr Miyuki Cheng who took up the positions of Professor of Practice. Prof. Razal joins us from Deakin University in Australia, where he was a full professor at the Institute for Frontier Materials and the director of the ARC Research Hub for Functional and Sustainable Fibres. An internationally recognised leader in his field, Prof. Razal has an exceptional scholarly record, including Science, Nature, Nature Communications, Advanced Materials, and other high-impact outlets. His work focuses on functional and sustainable fibres and materials, particularly for flexible energy storage and harvesting systems. This includes developing multi-functional fibres that can store and convert energy, as well as sense movement and pressure for use in wearable devices, smart textiles, and portable electronics. Prof. Andre Hou is a seasoned expert in the luxury industry, excelling in brand management, operations, and strategic growth. At Louis Vuitton, he achieved a nine-fold sales increase over nine years, while reducing operating costs and losses. At Chanel Hong Kong and Macau, he led 13 boutiques to drive a three-fold sales growth, managed store expansions and closures, and handled significant recruitment for the fashion sector. Since 2019, as part of Boucheron APAC, Kering Group, Prof. Hou has driven a remarkable ten-fold sales increase through strategic leadership and team restructuring. His strengths in strategic insight, operational excellence, and leadership have led to a consistent track record of profitability. His extensive luxury industry network enables him to foster valuable partnerships. Dr Miyuki Cheng integrates academic excellence in global fashion management and doctoral research in fashion supply chain strategies at SFT with extensive professional experience as a merchandising manager in different leading global buying offices. Her expertise encompasses international sourcing, trend analysis, product development, textiles, and costing. Having worked with VF Asia, Ralph Lauren, and Ann Taylor, she managed sourcing operations across key Asia Pacific markets, including China, Bangladesh, Cambodia,  Vietnam and Myanmar. Drawing on her industry background, Dr Cheng’s current research and teaching focus on buying, global sourcing and reshoring strategies, which advance evidence-based approaches to optimise fashion supply chains and managerial practices. SFT is excited to see the impact of their works and are confident that they will make substantial contributions across research, education, and collaboration at PolyU, SFT and beyond.

Nameson Group’s generous donation enhances knitwear design specialism

Our BA (Hons) Scheme in Fashion is dedicated to training talented designers for the fashion industry. In particular, the knitwear design specialism offers hands-on training with industry-grade knitting machines, ensuring our students are well-prepared to meet the expectations of the industry. To further strengthen our research and teaching facilities, we are grateful to Mr Benny Wong, Chairman and Executive Director of Nameson Group, for his generous donation of two advanced knitting machines to the School in 2025. This valuable contribution provides our students with access to a wider variety of equipment, encouraging them to continuously explore innovative ideas and push the boundaries of creativity in knitwear design. Mr Wong shares SFT’s vision of nurturing the next generation of talented designers for the industry. His support not only enhances our specialism but also helps us create more opportunities for students to develop the skills and experience needed for a successful career in knitwear. We sincerely thank Mr Wong and Nameson Group for their commitment to education and innovation in fashion and textiles.

Global fashion leaders passing the baton for retail success

PolyU students and faculty had the unique opportunity to participate in an exclusive Masterclass on global retail strategy on 3 November 2025, hosted by the Master of Arts in Global Fashion Management programme. This engaging session featured two distinguished leaders from New York City-based fashion label Theory: Mr Dinesh Tandon, Global CEO, and Mr Tatsumi Koji, Asia COO. Their presence not only highlighted the importance of industry collaboration but also underscored PolyU’s commitment to bridging academic insights with real-world applications. PolyU and SFT extend their deepest gratitude to the executives for their generosity in sharing such valuable knowledge with our community. The Masterclass was facilitated by Prof. Jeanne Tan, during which the speakers provided a compelling 360° view of driving growth in the competitive affordable luxury sector. They explored the intricate balance between global initiatives and local market nuances by emphasising how brands can effectively navigate the complexities of different cultural landscapes while maintaining a cohesive global strategy. The participants were captivated by the discussions on innovative retail strategies and consumer behaviour trends in the fashion industry, as well as the impact of digital transformation on the fashion industry. The insights shared by Mr Tandon and Mr Koji provided our students with practical tools and frameworks that can be applied in their own career, and gave them a better understanding of the retail landscape. This Masterclass not only served as an invaluable educational experience but also reinforced the strong ties between the academia and fashion industry, thus inspiring future leaders to think more critically about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

SFT × FENDI: Students gain VIP experience at iconic “World of Fendi” event

In October 2025, a select group of SFT students had the extraordinary opportunity of participating in the renowned “World of Fendi” VIP event in Hong Kong. This exclusive invitation allowed them to self-immerse in the world of luxury fashion and event management, and gain invaluable hands-on experience in an industry-leading environment. Representing SFT at the event were: Chiu Lung Lisa Liang Kayleigh Ng Fiona Poon Nicole Wong Natalie You The event served as a platform for the students to explore the intricacies of luxury brand management, high-profile event operations, and professional networking. Designed for students who are majoring in Fashion or Retail Management, the “Fendi Elite Event Internship” is a cornerstone programme that bridges academic learning with real-world application, thus providing future professionals with the skills and confidence necessary to thrive in the global luxury fashion industry. “They brought enthusiasm and professionalism to the role, contributing greatly to the success of our event. In particular, I would like to highlight the outstanding contributions of Chiu Lung, Nicole Wong, Fiona Poon, and Nathalie You. Their hard work and dedication truly made a difference.” A Fendi representative shared. This collaboration highlights SFT’s commitment to providing students with transformative learning experiences while also showcasing the strong partnership between SFT and the LVMH Group. By combining classroom knowledge with practical exposure, SFT continues to empower its students to excel and leave their mark in the dynamic and ever-evolving luxury fashion industry.

ai-FaMe knowledge transfer: Transforming avatar and digital fashion research into fashion IP and art toys

The ai-FaMe x Dorophy Tang "From Digital Fashion Avatar to Collectible Figure" project — led by Profs. Chloe Ki and Christina Wong — marks a bold new direction for fashion — one where the boundaries between the digital and physical worlds are blurred. The project challenges the traditional notion of fashion as merely clothing for the human body and redefines it as a multi-sensory, cross-dimensional experience. In this project, fashion takes on multiple forms—existing simultaneously as digital content for avatars in virtual spaces like the metaverse; digital assets in non-fungible token (NFT) marketplaces such as OpenSea; and physical collectible figures that consumers can own in the real world. Through this multidimensional approach, the ai-FaMe × Dorophy Tang project redefines fashion as more than garments by positioning fashion as intellectual property, digital art, and lifestyle merchandise. The endeavour illustrates how fashion can originate in the digital realm and seamlessly transition into a physical form, how cultural narratives can be preserved and reimagined through technology, and how collaboration between fashion education and the industry can drive meaningful innovation. Ultimately, this initiative presents a forward-looking blueprint for the future of fashion, where creativity and technology converge to create new kinds of consumer experiences across both digital and physical platforms. Key milestones include: October 2023: Launch of the “Avatar Design Contest” at SFT May 2024: Celebration of the top three winning student-designed avatars October 2024: Launch of the “Calling for Names” initiative for the top avatars November 2024: Minting of the selected student avatars as NFTs on the ai-FaMe OpenSea Store April 2025: Beyond digital achievements, the avatars were brought to life as physical fashion collectibles. SFT design alumna Ms Catherine Hui’s winning avatar Jade — inspired by SFT’s signature brand colours and the elegance of the Chinese qipao — was reimagined as a cultural-meets-commercial fashion collectible. This transformation was made possible through the strategic guidance of Mr Joe Wong and a creative collaboration with renowned IP and toy designer, Ms Dorophy Tang, best known for her brand A Shoppin’ Baby. Recent media coverage on 深圳特区报

RPg students publish groundbreaking research on AI virtual assistants

An SFT research team — led by Profs. Chloe Ki and Christina Wong, and former postdoc Dr Woojin Choi, PhD candidates Sophie Xue and Violet Wang, and an MPhil student Chong Sze-man — has published a landmark study on artificial intelligent virtual assistants (VAs) in the International Journal of Information Management (JCR 2024: SSCI; Top 1 in Field; IF 27; ABDC: A*). This publication underscores the team’s exceptional contributions to advancing knowledge at the intersection of fashion, technology, and consumer behaviour. Amidst debates about whether artificial intelligence (AI) benefits or challenges fashion retail, it is clear that AI is driving major advancements in VAs, which have evolved from simple chatbots to visually engaging, lifelike digital assistants. Despite these developments, little is known about how the appearance (form) and realism of VAs affect consumer perceptions and service quality. Research on VAs also faces theoretical gaps, as most previous studies rely on technology-, social-, or cognitive-centred frameworks that fail to fully explain human interactions with VAs. Online shopping — where VAs are primarily used—differs greatly from goal-driven, socially interactive in-store shopping. Consumers shop online not only to meet cognitive or social needs but also to seek leisure, escape from daily routine, and immersive enjoyment, so that shopping is treated like a source of fun and stress relief. These patterns indicate that traditional frameworks are insufficient, and research on VAs must account for the hedonic nature of modern online retail. To address these gaps, the team conducted three experiments that examined how the visual form and realism of VAs influence shopping experiences. They found that giving a VA a human-like appearance and increasing its realism significantly improve consumer evaluation. These effects work through two psychological pathways. First, VAs with a human-like form and higher realism made shoppers feel freer and more relaxed (liberated), which increased the feeling of having fun and led to more positive evaluations. Second, such VAs also boosted enjoyable engagement (hedonic engagement), which similarly increases the fun and improves evaluations. Shoppers who browsed for enjoyment (recreation-oriented) are more influenced by these effects than those focused on completing tasks. Overall, the study offers both theoretical and practical insights, thus demonstrating the importance of designing VAs that are not only functional but also engaging, fun, and emotionally satisfying, thereby enhancing the online retail experience.