News

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!

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.

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

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:   

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.    

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.

AI meets heritage: PolyU and Yunnan University students empower ethnic minority Yunnan artisans through AI-driven fashion co-designing process and village catwalk

From 10 to 19 May 2026, SFT in collaboration with Yunnan University (YNU) and the Philanthropy and Commonweal Federation of Wenshan Prefecture, successfully executed a transformative offshore service-learning journey in Yunnan, China. Under the leadership of Prof. Jin Lam, Associate Professor and Coordinator of the GUR Service-Learning subject “Community Engagement through Expressive Textile Arts and Fashion”, 36 PolyU students joined forces with 18 YNU students and 18 local female ethnic minority practitioners of "Paohua embroidery" (泡花繡 — a provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage) in Dongsheng Village of Xichou County in Sichuan Province, to co-create a groundbreaking contemporary fashion collection. A pedagogical breakthrough: Merging intangible cultural heritage with AI technology This year's programme pioneered an innovative, technology-supported co-designing framework. To sustain high instructional quality and drive pedagogical innovation, Prof. Lam spearheaded a major breakthrough by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into a heritage preservation process. During the intensive field workshops, the students systematically captured and digitally archived the traditional Paohua embroidery process step-by-step. This newly established digital archive is being used to train a future AI co-designer tool, which will serve as an interactive design assistant and a real-time translation bridge to overcome regional dialect barriers. By fusing technology with traditional craftsmanship, the programme enabled the students to overcome linguistic limitations, foster deep mutual respect, and develop a profound appreciation for conserving Chinese heritage. The co-designing journey: Crafting stories of pride and culture The 54 students and 18 ethnic minority artisans were grouped into collaborative co-designing teams, with each consisting of two PolyU students, one YNU student, and one local artisan. Working under the core philosophy of expressive textile arts as a healing and caring medium, each team explored the personal narratives and memories of the artisans to establish a unified thematic design board. Prior to the trip, the students created design sketches, sourced for materials, and prepared tech packs. In Dongsheng Village, they worked side-by-side with the artisans, learning traditional stitches while guiding them to adapt their techniques to contemporary fashion silhouettes. Each team produced a complete cohesive collection of 4 to 5 physical pieces, including garments designed by the PolyU and YNU students, alongside a bespoke fashion piece handmade by the artisans themselves. The climax: An empowering village catwal The ten-day programme culminated on 15 May 2026 in a spectacular, emotional mini-fashion show held right in the heart of Dongsheng Village. Breaking away from traditional runway formats, the local female ethnic minority artisans, and YNU and PolyU students stepped onto the catwalk together as models, proudly displaying their co-created contemporary masterworks. The runway show was far more than a demonstration of design prowess; it served as a social advocacy platform. By presenting their expressive textile creations, the local women regained their inner confidence, embraced their self-worth, and celebrated their unique cultural heritage. The collaborative experience successfully established a supportive, inclusive, and caring community, which left both the students and village artisans with a deep sense of national identity, mutual respect, and shared cultural pride.

SFT × Cotton Incorporated × Open Dialogue: Activewear Design Initiative – Certificate Presentation Ceremony

Embedded in the class of "Introduction to Fashion Business" (SFT203FY), the Activewear Design Initiative, launched under PROFASHION Design Incubation Programme, is a student design project focused on developing activewear collections with cotton fabrics as the core material. The initiative was supported by Cotton Incorporated and Open Dialogue, whose collaboration SFT greatly appreciates. Dr Bonny Kwan, Director of Supply Chain Marketing Asia at Cotton Incorporated, together with her colleagues, contributed to the initiative by delivering lecture on the latest cotton materials for activewear, with particular emphasis on sustainability. Cotton Incorporated also provided sponsorship for the realisation and production of the selected designs. Mr Joe Wong, Director of Open Dialogue, further supported the initiative by sharing his professional insights and experience in activewear branding and retailing, enriching students’ industry understanding. Through the initiative, students developed activewear design proposals applying cotton in functional and contemporary contexts, resulting in 64 submissions, of which four were selected for realisation and exhibition. Officiated by Dr Bonny Kwan, the Certificate Presentation Ceremony marked a significant milestone for the participating students, recognising their creativity, commitment, and professional growth. SFT sincerely appreciates the steadfast support of its industry partners and looks forward to continued collaboration in fostering industry-connected learning opportunities.

Belle Lau and Ashlee Lee awarded Innovation and Technology Scholarship 2026

The School is proud to announce that two BA students, Belle Lau (Fashion Innovation and Technology specialism) and Ashlee Lee (Contour Fashion and Activewear specialism), have been awarded the Innovation and Technology (I&T) Scholarship 2026 in the “Multi-disciplinary Technology and Others” and “Sustainability and Green Technology” categories, respectively. Jointly organised by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC), HSBC, and the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG), the award presentation ceremony was successfully held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 2 June 2026. After a rigorous selection process, the Awardee Selection Committee determined that Belle, Ashlee, and 23 other outstanding local undergraduates not only demonstrate academic excellence and a strong passion for I&T, but also innovative thinking and a sense of social responsibility. Their academic backgrounds span a spectrum of disciplines, including medicine, science, engineering, global business and finance, fashion, information and artificial intelligence, as well as technology and management, thus reflecting the diverse and integrated I&T capabilities of local youth. About the Innovation and Technology Scholarship Jointly established in 2011, the I&T Scholarship aims to inject new impetus into local I&T development by nurturing undergraduates with a passion for technological innovation. Over the years, the Scholarship has cultivated over 375 young individuals and exposed them to global perspectives through a series of elite-nurturing initiatives, thereby enhancing their experiences and skills while they explore I&T possibilities across various disciplines.

Cherry Cheng receives 1st Runner-up in Female Trendy category at IFDC 2026

SFT is thrilled to announce that our outstanding student, Cheng Hei-lam (Cherry), received the 1st Runner-up Award in the Female Trendy category at the 2026 International Footwear Design Competition (IFDC). Her design, “Morning Dews”, stood out at the competition which was organised by the Confederation of International Footwear Association (CIFA). The award presentation ceremony took place on 20 May 2026 in Guangzhou, China. Cherry’s design was inspired by her mother’s favourite flowers found in every corner of their house. She applied a French beading technique to create the flowers, which mimics the reflection of water on the petals. Using clay and wire, Cherry provided structure to the piece, while decorative ribbons referenced the plant ties wrapped around flower pots. The design extended the bottom to create a border, which represented the delicate nature of the petals. About the International Footwear Design Competition (IFDC) The IFDC highlights the significance of shoe design in the evolving footwear industry. The event encourages originality and advances design vision while fostering product research and development to enhance competitiveness. The competition also nurtures designers in shoe manufacturing and design by recognising outstanding performances with prestigious awards.