News

Prof. Dahua Shou Publishes Paper in Science

Prof. Dahua Shou has published a peer‑reviewed paper in one of the most prestigious academic journals, Science, on 28 Aug 2025. The topic of the paper is on sustainable personal cooling enabled by the use of advanced textiles and intelligent wearables. From 2000–2019, heat‑related causes claimed over 480,000 lives annually, while air conditioning contributed to approximately 12.3% of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., thus fuelling a cooling paradox where more cooling breeds more warming. As heat waves intensify, conventional clothing is reaching its limits. This stand‑alone perspective proposes that sustainable personal cooling is essential for public health, worker safety, and decarbonisation, thus showcasing the leadership of PolyU across the fields of textile engineering, wearable technologies, thermodynamics, and artificial intelligence (AI). The article lays out a roadmap that unites four pathways—radiation, conduction, convection, and evaporation—towards next‑generation fabrics and smart systems. Highlights include spectrum‑engineered textiles that reject solar load and urban heat while radiating body heat, plus moisture‑responsive, breathable architectures that vent warm, humid air. Materials strategies span high‑conductivity fillers to aerogel‑inspired insulating fibres. Flexible organic photovoltaics with bidirectional electrocaloric modules expand the range of thermal comfort. Particularly, moisture management technologies advanced by Prof Shou enable optimised capillary evaporation, directional removal of sweat droplets, and low‑voltage e‑wicking systems that actively pump sweat for a consistently cool, dry feeling. Looking ahead, AI‑driven, self‑adaptive garments will learn from real‑time physiological and environmental conditions, harvest ambient energy (tribo/piezo/thermo/moisture‑electric), and orchestrate mode‑selective cooling. Integrated textile sensors and fibre‑based coolers will enable proactive, user‑friendly thermoregulation. Sustainable, monomaterial designs and minimised coatings will enhance recyclability, and standardised metrics are urgently needed to accelerate responsible, at‑scale adoption. The research was supported by the Research Grants Council, the Innovation and Technology Fund, and PolyU’s Endowed Young Scholars Scheme. Dr Ziqi Li contributed as co-author of the paper.

Best Use of Australian Merino Wool Award goes to knitwear student Annie Duan

The Woolmark Company and Flinders Merino Group presented the Best Use of Australian Merino Wool Award to knitwear design graduating student Duan Qiqi Annie, in recognition of her innovative graduation collection showcasing creative applications of Australian Merino wool at the PolyU Fashion Show 2025. The award presentation was successfully held at the Woolmark Company’s Wool Resource Centre on 19 August. Annie’s collection, “Echoes of Bronze: Timeless Resilience,” draws inspiration from the ancient Sanxingdui civilisation and features exquisite 3D sculptural knitted pieces, demonstrating high-tech integration of Merino wool and advanced knitting techniques. The Woolmark Company is the global authority on Merino wool and owns the Woolmark logo, a quality assurance symbol found on more than 5 billion products. As a not-for-profit organisation, The Woolmark Company works alongside 60,000 woolgrowers in Australia to research, develop and certify Australian wool. They support and collaborate with like-minded fashion designers and brands. SFT would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to Flinders Merino Group, Australian Wool Innovation and The Woolmark Company for their unwavering support in nurturing fashion design talents over the past 17 years. In the past, awardees had the opportunity to visit the wool farm in Australia, where they learnt more about merino wool and broadened their horizons.

SFT Co-hosts 2025 Global Marketing Conference in Hong Kong

Co-hosted by SFT and the Faculty of Business of PolyU in collaboration with the Global Alliance of Marketing & Management Associations (GAMMA), the Global Marketing Conference (GMC) was successfully held at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong from 24 to 27 July 2025. This prestigious international academic event brought together leading scholars, industry experts, and emerging researchers from around the globe, which created a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange and networking. Congratulations to Prof. Erin Cho, Dean of SFT, as she was the recipient of the Excellent Leadership Award at the 2025 GMC which honoured her visionary guidance and commitment to advancing the field of marketing. A total of 1,102 participants from 58 countries registered for the Conference, with 2,008 authors presenting 697 papers. In addition to the main academic sessions, the GMC offered a rich programme that combined scholarly discourse with cultural and creative experiences. The Conference featured three industry tours, workshops on research methods held on PolyU campus, the 2025 GAMMA Art, Fashion & Design Exhibition at Hong Kong, 2025 GAMMA Invited Fashion Show, and a digital fashion show, which all took place concurrently. These different activities highlight Hong Kong’s unique position as a dynamic hub for fashion, business, and innovation, which gave the participants both academic insights and a memorable cultural experience. Prof. Erin Cho delivered the welcoming remarks at the reception, following the welcoming address by Prof. Eunju Ko of Yonsei University, Chair of the Organising Committee. The speeches conveyed heartfelt gratitude to the global participants for their involvement and emphasised the conference’s role in fostering global collaborations in marketing research. At the official opening event, the atmosphere was one of excitement and anticipation as the attendees networked, which set the tone for the inspiring sessions that followed. At the plenary session, Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, President of PolyU, delivered a welcoming address and highlighted PolyU’s commitment to global collaboration, innovation, and academic excellence. This was followed by welcoming addresses from Prof. Jiannong Cao, Acting Vice President (Education); Prof. Erin Cho, Dean of SFT; and Ir Prof. T.C. Edwin Cheng, Dean of the Faculty of Business. Each speaker warmly acknowledged the contributions of the participants and emphasised the importance of cross-disciplinary engagement in advancing marketing scholarship.

Newly minted PhD Chung King-yan publishes in Advanced Materials

The spotlight is on Chung King-yan, Claire, a BA degree holder and recent PhD graduate of SFT. This Hong Konger recently published “Cottonseed-Derived Reusable Bio-Carbon Gel Ink for DIW Printing Soft Electronic Textiles” in Advanced Materials, a prestigious journal in the materials sciences with an impact factor of 26.8. Claire began her academic journey as a dedicated undergraduate who majored in intimate apparel and activewear at SFT, where she graduated with first-class honours. She then pursued her PhD studies under the supervision of Prof. Xu Bingang and obtained her PhD degree in 2025. During her PhD studies, Claire was awarded SFT Outstanding Research Achievement Award 2024 (Research Postgraduate Students), and the overall quality of her PhD thesis was rated “excellent” by the Board of Examiners. Throughout her academic journey, Claire has consistently pushed the boundaries of clothing innovation by incorporating electronic technology with wearable design principles. Her pioneering work focuses on wearable electronics and E-textiles, which explores the integration of clothing and electronic devices with multifunctional applications that range from health monitoring to energy harvesting and human-machine interaction. Claire’s published work highlights her innovative approach to the direct ink writing (DIW) technique for textile electronics. Her research examines the development of reusable bio-carbon gel ink for DIW and a simple integration process of flexible electronics into textile fabric, thus realising significantly important properties and functionalities. The fabricated direct ink written e-textile system can be directly worn not only for motion sensing, self-powered pressure detection, and energy driving, but also realise artificial intelligence-empowered functionalities, including real-time signal recognition and robotic manipulation. By transforming clothing into next-generation electronic platforms, Claire envisions a future where garments are not just passive wearables but interactive, intelligent systems that enhance human capabilities and IoTs.

Fashion for Life Meaning: PolyU and HKFYG Empower Youth to Find Purpose Through Creativity

Fashion is more than style — it can be a powerful force for positive change and personal growth. This belief was at the heart of the “Beyond Style Fashion for Life Meaning - Fashion Show”, held on 5 July 2025, where 24 teenagers from the Youth Crime Prevention Centre of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG) took to the runway to share not only their designs, but also their journeys toward a more meaningful life. Co-organised by SFT, the PolyU Service-Learning and Leadership Office, and HKFYG, the event aimed to inspire young people — especially those from vulnerable backgrounds — to discover their unique value and purpose. Through close collaboration with 32 PolyU students, each teenager co-created a fashion collection that reflected their personal stories, dreams, and aspirations. The fashion show was more than a display of creativity; it was a celebration of resilience, self-discovery, and hope. By participating in the design process and presenting their creations on stage, the youth gained confidence, learned new skills, and found new meaning in their lives. The PolyU students, in turn, deepened their sense of social responsibility and learned the importance of using their talents to serve the community. “We believe that fashion can be a transformative medium,” said Prof. Jin Lam, project leader and Associate Professor. “Through co-designing and sharing their stories, these young participants and our students are empowered to express their values, embrace their potential, and find the courage to face life’s challenges with a renewed sense of purpose.” The “Beyond Style Fashion for Life Meaning - Fashion Show” stands as a testament to the power of creativity and collaboration in helping youth build positive, meaningful lives.

Miss Cherry Lau recipient of Best Theoretical Contribution Award at Academy of Marketing Conference 2025

Congratulations to Miss Cherry Lau, a Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) recipient and SFT PhD student under the supervision of Prof. Christina Wong, for receiving the Best Theoretical Contribution Award at the Academy of Marketing Conference 2025 Doctoral Colloquium, held at University College Cork in Ireland. Her research adopts the novel perspective of integrating the institutional theory into marketing communications. Using a series of seven different studies, she investigates how different institutional framing perspectives (i.e., regulative, normative, and cognitive) influence brand sincerity and perceived manipulative intent, and subsequently enhance purchasing and sustainable behaviours. She also explores the underlying mechanisms of heuristic-systematic processing and the boundary conditions of value-computation (i.e., self-relevance and social relevance) that drive the institutional framing effect in desirable consumer behaviours. Her research advances the signalling and persuasion literature and provides practical recommendations for managers and marketers on leveraging institutional framing as a new persuasion strategy to encourage consumer purchasing and sustainable behaviours. Her research presentation at the Academy of Marketing Conference 2025 Doctoral Colloquium was highly received by both her research mentors and fellow scholars due to her rigorous and robust experimental design and the impactful contributions to both theory and practice on how institutional message framing influences perceived brand sincerity and subsequently enhances the key marketing outcomes. She will also be presenting her research findings at the Academy of Marketing Main Conference 2025 in July. Congratulations to Cherry again for her research achievements!

SFT knitwear students shine at Young Design Project in Florence, Italy

With the generous sponsorships of Lai’s Knitters Ltd. (production and cash sponsor), M.oro Cashmere and Shanghai Shi-Kwan Textile Technology Co., Ltd. (yarn sponsors), and Glory Apparel Inc. and Chamtex Limited (production sponsors), three talented BA knitwear design students, Bobo Cheung, Hung Pui-ki and Ling Lui, designed six pieces of beautiful knitwear which were showcased in Florence, Italy in July 2025 and will be displayed at the 45th SPINEXPO™ in Shanghai in August 2025. Bound by Reality: Unveiling the Power within Limitations by Bobo Cheung Bobo’s design draws inspiration from the pressure and responsibilities that people face in everyday life, such as work, education, and daily demands, which can feel like a heavy chain or red rope that restricts freedom. This sense of being bound often causes individuals to lose touch with their true passions and desires. The top of the first set is made from a vibrant red and black patterned fabric, characterised by a high neckline and zipper at the front. Chains are added to the sleeves for decoration which emphasise the theme. As for the dress, compared with the top, the use of contrasting colours and patterns enhances its unique character. The dress maintains a graceful and elegant shape. The top of the second set consists of a unique layered design with an oversized, draped silhouette. The high neck adds an element of sophistication, while the open front showcases the underlying layers. The pants are wide-legged and flowy, made from a bold red fabric adorned with a black cable inlay pattern. Perceive Differently by Hung Pui-ki Pui-ki’s design concept celebrates the diversity of perception, particularly for those with colour vision deficiencies. Inspired by the idea that everyone experiences the world differently, the collection uses colour contrasts, tactile textures, and bold structural lines to create garments that are expressive for both colour-sighted and colour-deficient individuals. Both pieces start from the same rectangular base, which symbolise shared origins yet diverse outcomes. The first dress, in red and black, represents intensity, confidence and inner strength. The dress features sculptural cuts and a short skirt to convey strength and confidence. The second, in orange and blue, evokes warmth, calmness and clarity, and uses flowing drapes and stripes to create balance and movement. Pui-ki incorporated links and partial knitting into the design to create a ribbed fabric structure. This ribbing enhances the 3D effect of the garments. A wool-cashmere blend is created through partial knitting and linked construction, which produces a ribbed texture that adds a physical dimension to the garment. This tactile quality enhances the presence of the garment even for those who may not notice the visual contrast. The 3D structure, paired with geometric stripes and a rhythmic pattern, ensures visual engagement with all viewers—whether they are colour-sighted or colour-deficient. Childlike by Ling Lui Ling’s design concept is inspired by the joy and creativity of childhood, with the aim to help adults reconnect with their inner child. The collection uses puzzle pieces as a symbol of self-exploration and personal growth, which represent how people piece together their identities over time. Through playful designs, Ling hopes to bring happiness, creativity, and a sense of nostalgia to the busy lives of adults, thus encouraging people to embrace their true self and cherish the joyful moments. The first set features an oversized cape with puzzle pieces paired with short pants. Bubble stitching and birds-eye jacquard are used on both pieces to create a feeling of thickness and warmth. The second set includes a long overcoat and a sporty vest dress, with fur texture added to give an overall feeling of warmth.  

Year-2 student Janice Chan awarded Innovation and Technology Scholarship 2025

SFT is thrilled to announce that an outstanding Year-2 student, Chan Wing-ching Janice, has been honoured with the Innovation and Technology Scholarship 2025 which is sponsored by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC), HSBC, and The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG). The award recognises her passion and achievement in eco-conscious fashion innovation. The award presentation ceremony took place on 26 May 2025. Janice is the founder of a sustainable lingerie brand called Petal Couture, which develops hypoallergenic and eco-friendly fabrics. Inspired by her personal and family experiences with eczema, she collaborated with partners in France and Shanghai to explore breathable and biodegradable lingerie by using unconventional materials such as kombucha bacteria cellulose, mushroom mycelium, and pineapple leaf fibres. Janice asserts that “Fashion shouldn't just follow trends — it must prioritise sustainability and health.” Two distinct product lines form  her brand: affordable lingerie made from eco-friendly and hypoallergenic fabrics, and upscale garments crafted from recyclable technical textiles. Janice will receive $150,000 to participate in a series of PolyU initiatives, including the Overseas/Mainland Attachment Programme, Mentorship Programme, Local Internship Programme, and Service Project Programme, to study eco-textile manufacturing in France and ultimately fulfilling her vision for accessible eco-fashion in Hong Kong. About the Innovation and Technology Scholarship The Innovation and Technology Scholarship has been jointly launched since 2011, aims to inject new impetus into local innovation and technology (I&T) development by nurturing undergraduates with a passion for technological innovation. Over the years, the Scholarship has cultivated 375 young individuals and exposed them to global perspectives through a series of elite-nurturing initiatives, thus enhancing their experiences and skills while exploring I&T possibilities across the disciplines.

PolyU and Tiangong University sign MoU

We are delighted to announce that Prof. Erin Cho, Dean of SFT, and Prof. Jiang Yaming, Dean of the School of International Education and Director of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs Office of Tiangong University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 26 June 2025. This MoU marks the beginning of a collaborative partnership that focuses on scientific research, innovation, talent development and academic exchanges. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Dr Lam Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman; Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, President of PolyU; and Prof. Jiang Yong, President of Tiangong University. Their presence underscored the importance of this collaboration and the support extended by both universities. This partnership reflects a strong commitment to enhancing educational and research capabilities in the textile sector, which paves the way towards innovative solutions and the development of skilled professionals in the industry. As both institutions move forward with this collaboration, they aim to contribute significantly to advancements in textile education and research, thus fostering a mutually beneficial relationship that will benefit students and the industry alike.

PolyU Fashion Show 2025 spotlights emerging local fashion talents, showcasing creative designs that blend craftsmanship and technology

The School held the much-awaited annual PolyU Fashion Show 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 25 June 2025. The Show featured spectacular runway shows of collections designed by 24 exceptionally talented students, and the presentation of six awards and scholarships supported by industry partners and sponsors. Representing modern fashion concepts with distinctive styles, the Show attracted nearly 1,600 industry experts, designers and fashion enthusiasts, as well as an online audience of over 20,000 viewers from across the globe, injecting strong impetus into the Hong Kong fashion industry. This year, the Show unveiled 88 outfits from 24 remarkable collections embracing casual outfits, evening wear, activewear and lingerie. All pieces were designed by the graduating students from SFT’s flagship programme, BA (Hons) Scheme in Fashion and Textiles. Leveraging their creativity and knowledge, the students explored various social ideologies, identities, perceptions and cultures in their creations, while combining textile techniques like quilting and crocheting with advanced technologies such as laser engraving and knitting technology. Their designs demonstrate a wide spectrum of aesthetics, a range of profound design concepts and a great diversity of arts forms in fashion. The Dean Prof. Erin Cho said, “As the epicentre of sartorial education in Asia, PolyU SFT stands as a testament to the transformative power of creativity. Leveragingour state-of-the-art ateliers, cutting-edge research laboratories and a revered faculty, we equip students with a global perspective and the audacity to challenge conventions, ensuing that they evolve into work-ready innovators armed with specialised expertise and the ability to harness emerging technologies. This year’s collections are more than garments. Each stitch, silhouette and texture reflects a synthesis of knowledge, skill and cultural introspection. These young creators do not merely design — they interrogate, reimagine and redefine the zeitgeist.” At the Show, six awards and scholarships were presented to recognise outstanding designs and to encourage students to pursue their fashion dreams while embracing their academic journey at SFT. Among them, the judging panel for the Consinee Grand Award, sponsored by one of the event’s diamond sponsor Consinee Group, comprised fashion industry leaders including Ms Anne Chow, Marketing and Business Development Manager of the Group; Mr Kinyan Lam, Design Director of Kinyan Lam; Ms Natacha Van, Founder and Creative Director of Natacha Van; alongside four SFT alumni who stand out as fashion practitioners in various fields, namely Mr Derek Chan, Design Director and Co-founder of DEMO; Dr Jenny Chui, Fashion Illustrator and Founder of The Profile Studio; Ms Constance Lee, Fashion Stylist and Founder of CONSTYLE; and Mr Karmuel Young, Founder of Karmuel Young. Another highlight of the night, the HKIAIA Overall Grand Award, sponsored by another of the event’s diamond sponsor Hong Kong Intimate Apparel Industries’ Association (HKIAIA), was judged by Ms Karen Ng, Secretary of HKIAIA. Judging panel members for the other awards and scholarships included Ms Janet Cheung, Project Director of the Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association; Prof. Alice Chu, Hon. Education Consultant of SFAA Foundation Limited; Ms Brenda Yang, Technical Manager of the Flinders Merino Group and The Woolmark Company; and Ms Dilys Yiu, Design Director of Anteprima Ltd., Fenix Group Holdings Limited. After fierce competition, the winner of the Consinee Grand Award was announced as Xu Lulu, who specialised in knitwear design, with her outstanding work themed “Embodied Perception”. Her collection investigates the unexpected transformation of the tactile and visual characteristics of materials through a wide range of advanced knitting technologies and traditional textile craftsmanship. The HKIAIA Overall Grand Award winner was Wong Wai-kit, who specialised in Contour Fashion and Activewear. His exceptional collection “The First Light” is inspired by the transitions from murky depths of midnight to misty colours of dawn.  For a full list of awardees and photos of the winning outfits, please refer to the appendix. Thanks to generous support from numerous industry partners and sponsors, the PolyU Fashion Show has connected SFT students with many influential figures from across the fashion and technology sectors, facilitating their understanding of current industry trends and helping to propel them further along their career path. The success of the Show as a major local fashion event highlights the growing influence of the School and strengthens its position as a pioneer in fashion education. “Echoes of Bronze Timeless Resilience” by Duan Qiqi Annie, winner of the Fenix Young Talent Award presented by Ms Dilys Yiu, Design Director of Anteprima Ltd., Fenix Group Holdings Limited   “Mesmecipher” by Lee Yee-man Madgy, winner of the SFAA x Stella Blu Go Green Award presented by Prof. Alice Chu, Hon. Education Consultant of SFAA Foundation Limited     “Who You?” by Cheng Sau-wun Iris, winner of the HKFDA Scholarship of Creativity 2025 presented by Ms Janet Cheung, Project Director of the Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association   “Echoes of Bronze Timeless Resilience” by Duan Qiqi Annie, winner of the Best Use of Australian Merino Wool Award presented by Ms Brenda Yang, Technical Manager of the Flinders Merino Group and The Woolmark Company