News

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    

SFT BA students at Future Retail Challenge Final Competition 2025

Three BA programme students, Au Che-yiu Quincy, Woo Sin-yu Lia and Yiu Ching-yau Emma proudly represented PolyU at the Future Retail Challenge of the World Retail Congress in London (UK) in May 2025. The competition is the highlight of the World Retail Congress event, which aims to inspire and shape 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 Hau-Ling Chan who provided invaluable mentorship and guidance. The competition required the student teams to devise practical and robust solutions to the pressing issue of attracting and retaining Gen Z workers in the retail sector. The PolyU team proposed an innovative start-up in fashion retailing, which features a cutting-edge recruitment strategy and a dynamic work experience plan. Recognising the impact of technology, they integrated social media to enhance customer contact and offered Gen Z employees greater freedom, more room for creativity, and opportunities for professional growth. Their vision for the future of retailing emphasised the 3R principles: Re-refine, Re-organise, and Re-connect, as the essential strategies for success in this competitive landscape. This year, the PolyU team competed against students from five other universities, including the EDHEC Business School (France), ESCP Business School – Turin campus (Italy), London College of Fashion (UK), Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University (Saudi Arabia), and the University of Amsterdam (Netherlands). The World Retail Congress connects influential leaders, executives, technology experts, stakeholders, and academics from around the globe to explore opportunities and tackle challenges within the retail sector. Profs. Lam and Chan would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Mr Anthony Keung, President & CEO of Fenix Group Holdings Ltd, Profs. Joanne Yip and Chu-Po Ho, for their valuable advice and support to the team.

Year-3 student Luna Chung brings home Children’s Shoes – Individual category award from IFDC 2025

The School is thrilled to announce that an outstanding Year-3 student, Chung Lok-in Luna, won the Children’s Shoes – Individual category with her enchanting design, “Stitch & Purr” at the 14th International Footwear Design Competition (IFDC), which was organised by the Confederation of International Footwear Association. The award presentation ceremony took place on 15 May 2025 in Guangzhou, China. Luna’s creative cat-themed design captivated the judges with its adorable features, including a 3D denim cat-head plush adorned with hand-stitched metallic bead whiskers and charming white contrast threading. A poseable wire-reinforced cotton tail arcs gracefully at the midfoot, while the heel is wrapped in yarn and a denim tassel toggle, which is reminiscent of the playfulness of cat paws. The frontal silhouette captures a cat during mid-stretch, with a raised head, arched back, and perked up tail frozen in motion. The textured rubber outsole leaves whimsical paw prints on sand or soft terrain, which is imprinted with subtle claw-shaped designs. 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.

Faye Lu and Annie Duan represent Hong Kong at Loro Piana Knit Design Award 2025

The Loro Piana Knit Design Award 2025, organised by the prestigious Italian high-end fashion brand Loro Piana, was held at Casa degli Artisti on 13 May 2025. This was an international competition that allowed talented students to use the various iconic yarns that represent the excellence of the Maison. Two BA final year students, Faye Lu and Annie Duan, were shortlisted for the opportunity to develop a creative idea that focused on the theme "Winter Legacy" – to celebrate 100 years of history and heritage by experimenting and fusing linen yarns with classic Loro Piana winter yarns to craft a garment or silhouette and create a versatile, unexpected and seasonless heritage knitwear based on their own interpretation. Faye and Annie proposed a knitwear design project titled “Threads of Time: Italian Stories in Linen & Pixel” according to the theme, which explores the journey of Italian heritage and projecting the journey into the digital age. Inspired by Loro Piana’s legacy of craftsmanship and their signature linen yarn, they blended historical motifs — especially the dynamic forms of Italian architecture, with reference to “Forme Uniche della Continuità nello Spazio” created by a sculpturer of the Futurist movement, Umberto Boccioni — with modern digital visuals thus defining “Unique Forms of Continuity in Space”. Jacquard and 3D knitting techniques merged tactile tradition with playful, digital language, while the linen yarn symbolised the continuity and evolution of the craft. The final created outfit celebrates both heritage and innovation, telling a story of Italian identity knitted across time and technology. About the Loro Piana Knit Design Award The Loro Piana Knit Design Award celebrates talented students from leading design schools around the world with an extraordinary passion for knitwear. The initiative, first launched in 2016, is an international competition that aims to give talented design students the chance to showcase their unique creative expressions with some of Loro Piana's iconic yarns. The aim is to preserve and enhance savoir-faire while passing on a passion for excellence to the next generation of talents. The vent is also a key project to encourage and discover new creative talents and give them support to fulfil their passion.

Prof. Shou Dahua chairs The Fiber Society 2025 Spring Conference

Jointly organised by SFT, Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion (RCTFF), Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems, Joint Research Centre for Fiber Innovations and Renewable Materials, and PolyU-Xingguo Technology and Innovation Research Institute (XGRI), the global event for fiber science, The Fiber Society 2025 Spring Conference, was successfully held at PolyU from 21 to 23 May 2025. The conference, themed “Future Fibers for Wellbeing, Intelligence, and Sustainability”, attracted over 300 scholars, experts, and industry representatives from around 20 countries and regions, and showcased 200 high-quality academic presentations. Participants included scholars from world-renowned universities such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Oxford University, Cornell University, Tsinghua University, and Peking University, as well as representatives from leading international enterprises in fiber materials and the textile and apparel industries. The conference served as a platform for exploring the latest advancements and future trends in fiber science and technology. The conference also received substantial support from the State Key Laboratory for Advanced Fiber Materials at Donghua University and the flagship journal Advanced Fiber Materials, thus underscoring the collective commitment to advancing fiber science and technology. Prof. Dahua Shou, Conference Chair, Associate Director of RCTFF and XGRI, Limin Young Scholar in Advanced Textiles Technologies, and Associate Professor at SFT, presided over the opening ceremony and was joined by Prof. Meifang Zhu, President of The Fiber Society, a Fellow of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and a professor at Donghua University, as well as Prof. Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) at PolyU. They delivered welcoming speeches, and shared their vision for the future of fiber innovation and technological translation. During the conference, six world-renowned scholars delivered plenary lectures in cutting-edge areas such as fiber materials, and intelligent technologies and their implementations in energy and safety. The plenary sessions were moderated by Prof. Xungai Wang, Chair Professor and Associate Dean of SFT; Prof. Shou, Conference Chair; and Prof. Jintu Fan, Chair Professor and Director of RCTFF. The conference featured 11 thematic breakout sessions that covered a wide range of topics, including advanced fiber materials, intelligent wearable technologies, healthcare and biomedical applications, energy and environmental fibers, sustainable textiles, fiber composites, industrial textiles, and more. Emerging topics such as fibre-based sensors, actuators and batteries, fiber modelling and mechanics, and Fiber+: applications in AI, robotics, and the metaverse were also explored, which highlighted the diverse applications of fiber technology. At the conference banquet, Prof. Xiangwu Zhang, Vice President of The Fiber Society and Samuel S. Walker Distinguished Professor in Textile Innovation and Associate Dean for Research of the Wilson College of Textiles at North Carolina State University, announced the winners of the poster competition. Prof. Liejin Guo, a Fellow of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a professor at Xi’an Jiaotong University, presented the awards to the winners. He was joined by Prof. Wang Zuankai, Chair Professor and Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU as well as other plenary and keynote speakers and session chairs for a group photo. During the banquet, Prof. Fan delivered a special presentation that reflected on the evolution of Hong Kong’s textile industry, and highlighted its innovations and historical transformation. Prof. Shou is dedicated to research on personal thermal and moisture management, advanced textiles, intelligent wearables, and soft robotics. He has actively promoted the practical translation of these technologies. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to fiber science, he was awarded PolyU Outstanding Research Postgraduate Alumni Award 2024 and The Fiber Society's 2023 Distinguished Achievement Award, which further affirm his international academic reputation.

SFT x Consinee | Yarn Design Project sparks creative collaboration

We are pleased to share the success of the Yarn Design Project, a meaningful collaboration between SFT and the Consinee Group, a leading luxury yarn manufacturer in China. Conducted in Semester 2 of the 2024/25 academic year, Prof. Yadie Yang, Assistant Professor led this project, which aimed to provid our students with the exciting opportunity to engage in hands-on yarn design supported by real industry input. As the industry sponsor, the Consinee Group generously provided a wide range of premium yarns so that our students were able to explore and experiment with creative yarn designs. To further enhance the learning experience, designers and marketing staff of the Consinee Group were invited to deliver an insightful guest lecture which provided an introduction on the key concepts of yarn design and showcased their latest products and design trends. The project culminated in a final portfolio presentation. Among the student submissions, six outstanding students, including Cai Wai-wang, Chan Ka-yan, Chui Wing-chi, Leung Wing-hong, Li Man-yiu and Wong Ka-yan, were recognised  for their creativity and technical excellence. Their works and photos are featured on Consinee’s official Instagram page as a way to celebrate and encourage emerging talent.   (from left) Ms Anne Chow (left), Cai Wai-wang and Prof. Yadie Yang   (from left) Ms Anne Chow (left), Chan Ka-yan and Prof. Yadie Yang   (from left) Ms Anne Chow (left), Chiu Wing-chi and Prof. Yadie Yang   (from left) Ms Anne Chow (left), Leung Wing-hong and Prof. Yadie Yang   (from left) Ms Anne Chow (left), Li Man-yiu and Prof. Yadie Yang    (from left) Ms Anne Chow (left), Wong Ka-yan and Prof. Yadie Yang