Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers’ Contest (YDC) 2026 was successfully held during Asia’s premier fashion event, CENTRESTAGE, on 5 September 2026. As one of the most influential fashion design competitions in the region, YDC celebrates emerging young designers and their unique visions. This year, four outstanding SFT alumni: Mr Calvin Chan (BA, 2024), Mr Einar Lai (BA, 2024), Mr Zephyr Liu (BA, 2015), and Miss Selena Xie (BA, 2025), found themselves among the top 10 finalists and showcased their creative flair on the runway.
Calvin’s collection, “A Rookie Tailor”, re-evaluates traditional menswear by transforming overlooked bespoke components, such as shoulder pads and hand-stitching, into central design elements. Approaching craftsmanship with a fresh, rule-breaking perspective, he blends precise cutting with intentional rawness to offer a contemporary take on classic tailoring.
Einar’s collection, “Sh-boom”, captures the spontaneous spark of inspiration and blurs the boundaries between fine art and fashion. Translating the intimate creative process in the studio into garments, he repurposes modest art materials through meticulous handcraft to place canvas-inspired concepts directly onto the body.
Zephyr was inspired by Yoko Ono’s conceptual art for his collection, “Map to Get Lost”, which explores themes of growth, existence, and transformation. Utilising skin-like fabric manipulations, exposed stitching, and reconfigurable structures, the designs invite the wearer into an open-ended dialogue of self-discovery and perpetual flux.
Selena fulfils a childhood dream in her collection “Episode 0”, which returns to the pure, uninhibited joy of creation. Using primary colours, circular forms, and open structural spaces, she balances childlike imagination with wearable, thoughtful tailoring.
SFT extends its warmest congratulations to all alumni on their stellar achievements and wishes them continued success in their design journeys.
