News

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.

Cross-regional exchange of knowledge and expertise: The 1st International Conference on Advanced Materials, Surfaces and Interfaces for Green Engineering

Advancing Ecological Transformation through Materials Science As the global demand for sustainable development intensifies, the field of advanced materials, surfaces, and interfaces has emerged at the forefront of ecological conservation. To address the related challenges, the 1st International Conference on Advanced Materials, Surfaces and Interfaces for Green Engineering (AMSIGE-1) was held at PolyU from 8 to 10 May 2026. Collaborative Leadership and International Exchange The conference was jointly organised by SFT, Southeast University, and the Jiangsu–Hong Kong–Macao University Cooperation Alliance (JHMUA), and supported by the Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality (RCRE), Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion (RCTFF), Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR), and ESG Research and Sustainable Fashion Hub. Chaired by Prof. Fei Bin of SFT and co-chaired by Prof. Jian Chen of Southeast University, AMSIGE-1 catered to an international open community that bridges cutting-edge materials science with robust green engineering practices. The conference convened more than 90 participants, including distinguished scholars, industry experts, and research students, and featured 17 keynote speakers, 24 invited presentations, and 27 high-calibre poster presentations. Core Themes: Translating Research into Sustainable Solutions The academic discourse was structured around three core themes that focused on translating materials science research into sustainable solutions: Theme I: Biology, Medical, and Healthcare Green Engineering  Highlights included breakthroughs in synergistic antibacterial materials, adhesion and growth materials, and advanced functional surfaces for non-toxic healthcare.   Theme II: Textile, Construction, and Transportation Green Engineering  Presentations focused on superhydrophobic materials, thermal and humidity management, and flame-retardant technologies to enhance the sustainability of buildings, transport systems, and apparel. Theme III: Sustainable Energy and Other Types of Green Engineering Experts exchanged insights on high-efficiency photoelectric conversion, heterogeneous catalysis, and thermal management materials to optimise renewable energy storage and other green engineering applications. Recognising Future Leaders in Green Engineering To celebrate the creativity and potential of emerging researchers, a number of recognition awards were presented at the event. These included the Best Poster Awards, Excellent Poster Awards, and Best Student Presenter Awards. Additionally, the Young Scientist Awards and Young Scholar Awards were conferred to recognise outstanding contributions. These honours underscored the conference’s commitment to empowering the next generation and reinforcing the role of young talents in advancing sustainable innovation.       Awardees of Young Scientist Award   Awardees of Young Scientist Award         Awardees of Best Paper Award  Awardees of Best Paper Award  Awardees of Best Paper Award  Some Final Thoughts By bridging the gap between fundamental materials science and green engineering, AMSIGE-1 has paved the way for a more sustainable technological landscape. The conference fostered a unique environment where knowledge co-creation took place among established experts and emerging scholars alike. As the event concluded, a clear consensus emerged that achieving sustainability requires both innovative material interfaces and collaborative global networks. Ultimately, AMSIGE-1 has established a benchmark for how regional synergy can catalyse international innovation, thus ensuring that advanced materials sciences remain aligned with the principles of a green, resilient future.     

Prof. Fan Jintu appointed Editor-in-Chief of Textiles

Prof. Jintu Fan, Director of the Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion (RCTFF) and Chair Professor of Fiber Science and Apparel Engineering at SFT , has been appointed Editor-in-Chief of the international academic journal Textiles, effective 1 May 2026.  Currently ranked second among 31 journals in the “Materials Science, Textiles” category, Textiles is firmly positioned in the top quartile (Q1) and has an Impact Factor of 4.9. Its editorial board comprises 39 distinguished textile scholars from around the world.

SFT students at Future Retail Challenge Final Competition 2026

Lane Crawford sponsored four BA students for the Future Retail Challenge of the World Retail Congress: Burgundy Ann Lau, Ankie Leung, Ng Hoi-ching Etta, and Sin Wai-sum Kristina, who proudly represented PolyU in Berlin, Germany in April 2026. The competition is a highlight of the World Retail Congress, with the aim to inspire and engage the next generation of retail talent by bridging academic knowledge with real-world applications. The students embarked on this international journey under the supervision of Profs. Magnum Lam and Chan Hau-ling, who provided invaluable mentorship and guidance. This year, the competition challenged the teams to address the theme “Reimagining the Store in the Age of AI”. In response, the PolyU team developed an innovative strategic model for the beauty retail sector, anchored by the philosophy that “Technology Supports Decisions, People Build Trust”. Recognising that the modern beauty market is flooded with an overwhelming variety of products and choices, the students conceptualised a framework to eliminate consumer decision fatigue. Their proposed strategy highlighted the critical importance of integrating both the analytical precision of AI and authentic empathy of human beauty advisors in the future of retail. This synergistic approach can help retailers drive continuous innovation, offer highly personalised services, and more accurately conduct market forecasting. Furthermore, the proposed strategy empowers shoppers to confidently navigate a saturated beauty landscape so that they make logical and well-informed choices.   The team showcased their talents on a global stage, and competed against students from six other universities: École des Hautes Études Commerciales du Nord (EDHEC) Business School (France), ESCP Business School Turin (Italy) Campus, Fashion Institute of Technology (USA), London College of Fashion (the UK), University of Amsterdam (The Netherlands), and University of Cape Town (South Africa). Profs. Lam and Chan, along with the students, would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Ms Jennifer Woo, Chairman and CEO of The Lane Crawford Joyce Group, for sponsoring the PolyU team’s participation in this prestigious international competition. Lane Crawford is empowering emerging talent and grooming the next generation by connecting young talents with invaluable opportunities in the fashion industry. In addition, Profs. Lam and Chan extend their sincere appreciation to the Dean of SFT, Prof. Erin Cho; Associate Dean, Prof. Joanne Yip; and Associate Professor, Prof. Ho Chu-po for their invaluable advice and support to the team.     About the World Retail Congress   The World Retail Congress is an annual event that connects influential leaders, executives, technology experts, stakeholders, and academics from around the globe to explore opportunities and tackle challenges within the retail sector.

SFT showcases cutting-edge research innovations at Fashion InStyle 2026

SFT is proud to announce our successful participation in Fashion InStyle 2026, held from 27 to 30 April at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). In the “Fashion Tech & Services” zone, SFT presented five cutting-edge projects designed to address the industry's most pressing challenges in sustainability, manufacturing efficiency, and high-performance textiles. Seven of our esteemed faculty members presented breakthroughs that redefine the boundaries of traditional apparel: Smart Textiles × Athletic Performance Led by Prof. Yick Kit-lun, Prof. Annie Yu, and Dr Gaby Shi Integrating advanced textile technology with biomechanics research, the exhibition showcases three breakthrough prototypes: performance compression socks for football players, seamless knitted sports bras for adolescent girls, and biofeedback-enabled smart compression gear. These designs combine novel knitting structures and new materials to enhance fit and thermal comfort, while embedding interactive technology into activewear to support, protect, and sense the body, thus advancing performance, preventing injury, and redefining the future of functional sports apparel. Recycling Coloured Silk Waste for Sustainable Fashion Led by Prof. Chen Jianming With the rise of fast fashion and expansion of the textile industry, determining how to address coloured textile waste has become more and more challenging. Addressing the environmental impact of the luxury sector, coloured silk waste is collected and made into coloured silk fibroin (CSF) solutions with excellent colour retention in our project. Interestingly, CSF solutions can be used to dye new yarns/fabric in an efficient and cost-effective manner. In addition, coloured silk waste can also be recycled into regenerated colourful silk fibres, which can be further weaved/knitted into garments without additional dyeing processes. The project ingeniously offers an alternative strategy for textile waste valorisation. Digital Transformation: Intelligent Decision Support System for Apparel Development Costs Led by Dr Cynthia Liang This project introduces a data-driven AI platform designed to revolutionise cost management in apparel research and experimental development. By integrating the cost factors of different elements, including fabric, trim, labour, and finishing, our system provides accurate cost predictions across 30 garment categories. Recognisingthat designers, procurement, and sales teams often have conflicting priorities, we utilise large language models (LLMs) to bridge these semantic gaps. Building on this alignment, the LLMs offer intelligent material and design suggestions within our predictive cost-control framework. This approach empowers teams to optimise sourcing and pricing during the initial design phase, thus achieving end-to-end digital cost management. Revolutionary Construction: From Surface to Form: 3D-Printed Self-Formed Pleats Led by Prof. Huang Tsai-Chun This project presents self-folded pleated textile pieces that transition directly from 2D surfaces into 3D structures through a one-time forming process. In contrast to relying on traditional manual pleating techniques, this is an innovative textile transformation method that is implemented by 3D printing onto textile. By shifting from manual craftsmanship to self-folding behaviour, this project proposes an alternative approach to textile design where textile materials can proactively shape themselves into structural forms. Furthermore, the pleats are generated without material removal or production waste, thereby highlighting a more sustainable pathway for pleat making. Thermal Comfort Innovation: iActive™: Intelligent Active-Perspiration Activewear Led by Prof. Dahua Shou iActive™ is a disruptive intelligent activewear platform that features artificial sweat glands and a root-like liquid transport system that actively manages perspiration. Unlike traditional sportswear, Active™ maintains a sustainably cool, dry and breathable skin microclimate that dissipates sweat up to three times faster than the maximal sweating rates, thus significantly enhancing wear comfort and performance. A companion smartphone app wirelessly adjusts sweat removal for personalised, data-driven control. When soaked, iActive™ activewear is up to 60% lighter and 50% less clinging than conventional gear. This activewear has broad, high-impact applications across sports, work, and healthcare in an era of global warming and extreme weather. 

SFT celebrates excellence at Outstanding Staff & Alumni Award 2025 Presentation Ceremony

SFT proudly hosted the SFT Outstanding Staff & Alumni Award Presentation Ceremony on 17 April 2026. The ceremony honoured ten distinguished SFT staff as recipients of the School Awards for Outstanding Achievement, alongside one exceptional alumna who was recognised with the Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award 2025. The alumni honouree, Ms Kadri Keung (BA, 2014), was recognised for her leadership in inclusive fashion as Co-Founder of Rhys Workshop Limited and Founder of Boundless. Her impactful work in adaptive wear has received global acclaim, notably the DFA Design for Asia Grand Award and her inclusion in the BBC 100 Women of 2022. In an environment filled with feelings of well-earned pride, the awardees received their well-deserved honours and shared personal insights into their achievements, thus highlighting a collaborative spirit and their vision for the future of their field. This event celebrated their remarkable contributions, which united the SFT community in recognition of their excellence. Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award The Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award aims to recognise distinguished graduates of PolyU who have achieved distinction in their chosen fields, actively support their alma mater, as well as made impactful contributions to the wider community. For details on the awardee, Kadri, please visit here. The School Awards for Outstanding Achievement The School Awards for Outstanding Achievement recognise and celebrate the remarkable contributions of staff members in teaching, research and scholarly activities, knowledge transfer, and services. For details on the awardees, please visit here.  

Fiona Poon awarded Sir Edward Youde Memorial Scholarship 2026

Fiona Poon, a Year 2 BA student, has been named a recipient of the prestigious Sir Edward Youde Memorial Scholarship 2026. At the 39th Awards Presentation Ceremony of the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund on 22 March, she was recognised as one of the six local undergraduates to receive the $40,000 award for top-tier students in Hong Kong.  Reflecting on her creative journey, Fiona acknowledged the challenges of the local landscape but emphasised that perseverance and passion remain essential to achieving long-term success. The Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund was established in 1987 to commemorate the former late Governor Sir Edward Youde. The purpose of the fund is to provide for and encourage the education of, or research by the people of Hong Kong. In particular, the fund provides grants or loans with or without interest for furthering education, learning or research within or beyond Hong Kong. We heartily congratulate Fiona on her significant achievement and commitment to excellence. Media coverage: Sing Tao Daily (26 March): 尤德獎學金︱創作路上同伴越來越少 理大時裝系學生：肯付出終有收穫

Call for nominations | Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award of School of Fashion and Textiles 2026

Nominations for Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU School of Fashion and Textiles 2026 are now invited for submission. The Award aims to recognise alumni who have made contributions to the School of Fashion and Textiles (SFT, formerly known as the Institute of Textiles and Clothing, ITC), PolyU, and the wider community through their achievements in respective areas. Eligibility The nominated candidate must be a graduate who has successfully completed full-time or part-time programme offered by PolyU's SFT or its forerunner, ITC, which led to academic award. The proposer can be a PolyU graduate, Honorary Graduate, University Fellow, PolyU staff, PolyU Council and Court member and Advisory Committee member.  There is no limit to the number of nominations to be submitted by each proposer. However, the proposer cannot be the candidate himself/herself. Selection Criteria The selection of the Award considers two criteria: Support and Contributions to PolyU: This key criterion considers nominee’s support and contributions to PolyU, including his/her leadership and/or support in University event and/or alumni activities, support in advisory committee, teaching, research, or student development, as well as support rendered to PolyU initiatives including financial / in-kind donation, or sponsorship. Achievement Areas: Three achievement areas serve as a framework for assessing nominee’s achievements in the concerned areas. They include Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurial Achievement, and Scholarly Achievement. Professional Achievement: This achievement area recognises alumni who have attained distinguished achievements, demonstrated exemplary leadership, and made a strong impact on their profession / industry / society. Entrepreneurial Achievement: This achievement area recognises alumni who have demonstrated outstanding innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as founded or advanced business or technology ventures with impact. Scholarly Achievement: This achievement area recognises alumni scholars who have made notable scholarly or research contributions in their disciplines, with proven track record and excellent reputation in the field. Alumni who are aged at/under 40 in the award selection year would be eligible for the Outstanding Young Alumni Award. Award Selection Committee The Award Selection Committee of SFT will examine the nominations and assess candidates’ qualifications and performance for the awards. Nomination We cordially invite you to submit your nomination by completing the nomination form and returning it together with all required supporting documents to Ms Anne Hon at anne.hon@polyu.edu.hk on or before 30 June 2026. All information submitted on this nomination form will be kept strictly confidential and will only be used by the Award Selection Committee for the purpose of the selection process. 

MA Graduate Fashion Show 2026 debuts at Shanghai Fashion Week, showcasing diverse and inclusive designs with the theme “Unbroken Thread”

SFT held its “MA Graduate Fashion Show” on 1 April at the 800SHOW Creative Park in Shanghai. Themed “Unbroken Thread”, the show featured design collections that blend diverse aesthetics and emerging fashion technologies. Making its debut as part of the official Shanghai Fashion Week programme, the Show attracted over 300 industry experts, as well as members of the press and public from the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and around the globe. The theme, “Unbroken Thread”, drew upon the ancient belief that an invisible and infrangible thread connects those who are destined to meet, transcending the limitations of time, space and the physical world. Thirteen graduating students from the Master of Arts (MA) in Fashion and Textile Design presented a diverse collection of ingenious works, through which they revealed the unbroken bonds that have connected and guided them throughout their life journey. Their showcase also served as a nexus, inviting the audience to immerse themselves in the shared space connected by the same thread. With diversity and inclusion taking centre stage this year, students were encouraged to think beyond conventional industry standards and embrace broader representations of beauty. A highlight of the evening was a dedicated plus-size collection by graduate Coco Yang Ke, who boldly challenges the fashion industry’s longstanding size boundaries and celebrates body positivity in her designs. Through bold silhouettes and meticulous tailoring, Coco’s work demonstrated that innovative, sophisticated design is for everyone, regardless of body size, conveying a powerful vision where style knows no size. In addition to their distinctive design concepts, students also demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability and technological innovation throughout the design process. Three-dimensional design software CLO3D and Blender were widely used by students to minimise material consumption during production and improve the sustainability of their designs. Programme leader Mr Ryan Scott Houlton, Lecturer of SFT, remarked, “Our programme aims to nurture future industry mavericks who are innovative and have a distinct point of view, and to equip students with comprehensive skillsets that bridge creative expression with traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge digital technologies. The Show’s debut at Shanghai Fashion Week marks an important milestone, providing our graduates with an impactful international platform upon which to shine. I look forward to seeing these talented and ambitious young designers fully demonstrate their creative potential and become a new driving force in the global fashion industry.” The one-year MA in Fashion and Textile Design programme is committed to nurturing the next generation of fashion talents in the Asia Pacific region and beyond. The programme covers design practice, technology and theory, and establishes close collaborations with internationally renowned brands. These partnerships provide students with real-world experience that complements their academic development. In the upcoming academic year, the programme will launch a new Digital Fashion pathway, offering students the opportunities to master 3D design, virtual prototyping and technological craftsmanship.   Online coverage: Wen Wei Po (8 Apr 2026)

Anastasiya Rudakova - Outstanding Student Award and Bhalla Joshua Rishabh Malik - Presidential Student Leadership Award 2025/26

Congratulations to our final-year international Fashion Design student, Anastasiya Rudakova, on receiving the Outstanding Student Award of SFT. Meanwhile, our Year 2 Fashion Design student, Bhalla Joshua Rishabh Malik, was awarded the Presidential Student Leadership Award.  The Presentation Ceremony 2025/26 cum Luncheon was held on 19 March 2026 at Hotel ICON. PolyU President, Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, officiated the ceremony and presented the awards to the students. Anastasiya has been recognised for her numerous outstanding achievements, including her award track record with the HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund – Scholarship for Outstanding Performance (2023/24 & 2025/26); the Hong Kong, China – Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Scholarship (2023/24 & 2025/26); and the Louisa Mok Kwok & Albert Mok Scholarship (2023/24). Furthermore, Anastasiya was selected as the recipient of the Presidential Student Leadership Award (2024/25) of SFT and named to the Dean’s Honours List (2022/23 & 2024/25). Beyond academics, she has served as Mental Health Ambassador at Rest Hub X Mind HK (2024/25 & 2025/26), Marketing & Programme Executive Intern at Metier Minus Limited (2025), and Class Student Representative for the Fashion & Textiles (Design) Programme (2022/23 & 2024/25). Reflecting on her journey, Anastasiya shared this wisdom: “At PolyU, I learned to translate industry experience into research-led, human-centred design. My non-linear path was appreciated as a strength, and the professors helped me to hone my existing passions while discovering new ones in drawing, textile development, and materials research.” Joshua has been recognised for his exceptional achievements as a recipient of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Striding On Scholarship (2024/25 & 2025/26) and The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships – Oxford Character and Leadership Programme at the University of Oxford, UK (2025). His passion and commitment to PolyU and SFT have also been recognised through his roles as Founder and President of the SFT Student Association (2025/26), Vice President of Global Volunteer Operations of AIESEC-LC-PolyU (2025/26), and Programme Officer of the Chatteris Educational Foundation (2024/25). “In my experience, ambition without action is simply anxiety. PolyU has provided a safe environment where I was supported with trust and resources to practice, refine, learn, and grow,” Joshua shared. SFT wants to give a big shoutout to Anastasiya and Joshua one more time and wishes them continued success and a bright future ahead as global fashion leaders.