News

RPg students publish groundbreaking research on AI virtual assistants

An SFT research team — led by Profs. Chloe Ki and Christina Wong, and former postdoc Dr Woojin Choi, PhD candidates Sophie Xue and Violet Wang, and an MPhil student Chong Sze-man — has published a landmark study on artificial intelligent virtual assistants (VAs) in the International Journal of Information Management (JCR 2024: SSCI; Top 1 in Field; IF 27; ABDC: A*). This publication underscores the team’s exceptional contributions to advancing knowledge at the intersection of fashion, technology, and consumer behaviour. Amidst debates about whether artificial intelligence (AI) benefits or challenges fashion retail, it is clear that AI is driving major advancements in VAs, which have evolved from simple chatbots to visually engaging, lifelike digital assistants. Despite these developments, little is known about how the appearance (form) and realism of VAs affect consumer perceptions and service quality. Research on VAs also faces theoretical gaps, as most previous studies rely on technology-, social-, or cognitive-centred frameworks that fail to fully explain human interactions with VAs. Online shopping — where VAs are primarily used—differs greatly from goal-driven, socially interactive in-store shopping. Consumers shop online not only to meet cognitive or social needs but also to seek leisure, escape from daily routine, and immersive enjoyment, so that shopping is treated like a source of fun and stress relief. These patterns indicate that traditional frameworks are insufficient, and research on VAs must account for the hedonic nature of modern online retail. To address these gaps, the team conducted three experiments that examined how the visual form and realism of VAs influence shopping experiences. They found that giving a VA a human-like appearance and increasing its realism significantly improve consumer evaluation. These effects work through two psychological pathways. First, VAs with a human-like form and higher realism made shoppers feel freer and more relaxed (liberated), which increased the feeling of having fun and led to more positive evaluations. Second, such VAs also boosted enjoyable engagement (hedonic engagement), which similarly increases the fun and improves evaluations. Shoppers who browsed for enjoyment (recreation-oriented) are more influenced by these effects than those focused on completing tasks. Overall, the study offers both theoretical and practical insights, thus demonstrating the importance of designing VAs that are not only functional but also engaging, fun, and emotionally satisfying, thereby enhancing the online retail experience.

BA students excel in coat design competition

SFT proudly announces that four BA students enjoyed remarkable success at the "Fung Innovative Art & Design" "Jorebaudry" College Coat Design Invitation Competition, held in Shanghai, China on 20 October 2025. Year-4 fashion design students, Cheng Sze-ki and Sin Hei-yau were awarded the prestigious Gold Award, and received a cash prize of RMB 20,000 for their outstanding designs. Year-4 retail and marketing student, Ankie Leung, received the Silver Award, along with a cash prize of RMB 10,000. Additionally, another Year-3 fashion design student, Ong Hiu-ying Richelle, was honoured with the Most Promising Award for her design. In recognition of their achievements, both the Gold and Silver Award winners will have the exciting opportunity to intern with Jorebaudry, a womenswear brand, where their competition designs will be produced for retail. The collection designed by Sze-ki and Hei-yau embodies the philosophy of "上善若水" . Drawing inspiration from the fluidity of water and the framed landscapes of Suzhou gardens, these transformable pieces feature flowing silhouettes, delicate lattice patterns, and reversible designs. It’s where Eastern wisdom meets modern wearability, creating sustainable style that adapts to life’s flow. Ankie's collection titled “Shadow Player”, draws inspiration from the Chinese intangible cultural heritage of shadow puppetry, transforming the coat into a “shadow figure” and narrating through light and shade, patterns, and structure—using a single garment to represent a single dynasty — to reimagine the spirit of the Six Dynasties and the lineage of traditional cultural craftsmanship. Richelle's collection is about the coming of age, realisation and be grounded by knowing what you are capable of, without the need of being loud. This competition, jointly launched by the Fung Group and Jorebaudry, has been instrumental in guiding young designers from creative inspiration to commercialisation of products. Since its inception in June 2025, the Fung Group and Jorebaudry have provided expert mentorship, mass production capabilities, and comprehensive promotional support. The winning designs will receive all-encompassing exposure from Jorebaudry and will be showcased at the 8th China International Import Expo to highlight the innovative talent of this new generation of designers to a global audience. SFT congratulates its talented students on their achievements and looks forward to their continued success in the fashion industry!

SFT graduates make their mark at INTERFILIÈRE Shanghai 2025

Four SFT fresh graduates, Chow Wai-shan (BA, 2025), Lai Ching-yan, Nicky (BA, 2025), Tang Tsz-yan (BA, 2025), and Wong Wai-kit (BA, 2025) demonstrated their creativity at INTERFILIÈRE Shanghai 2025 which was held at the Shanghai Exhibition Centre from 13 - 14 October 2025. One of Asia’s most influential trade shows for intimate apparel, swimwear, and activewear, the theme of this year’s event was "A New Narrative of Oriental Aesthetics". The show highlighted the rise of Asian fashion trends, the modern reinterpretation of traditional materials such as silk, and innovative solutions for sustainability - exploring the intersection of cultural heritage and contemporary design on a global stage. Four outstanding show garments from the Intimate Apparel and Activewear and Contour Fashion and Activewear specialisms were selected for exhibition at this prestigious and inspiring event. This recognition not only celebrates the exceptional work of the students, but also encourages them to pursue their dreams in the fashion industry. INTERFILIÈRE is a leading international trade show dedicated to fabrics, accessories, and ready-to-wear solutions for lingerie, swimwear, and sportswear. It is a key platform where global fashion, textiles, and fabric suppliers connect, showcase innovation, and explore emerging trends.

SFT scholars ranked among World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists 2025

SFT is proud to announce that 15 scholars have been listed on the World’s Top 2% most-cited Scientists, according to the latest two rankings compiled by Stanford University. Notably, 13 scholars are included based on their career-long citation impact. 13 scholars are recognised for their single-year citation impact. These rankings attest to our research excellence and outstanding academia. The scholars who are listed among the Top 2% include Profs. Fan Jintu, Fei Bin, Hu Hong, Kinor Jiang, Kan Chi-wai, Joselito Macabuhay Razal, Shou Dahua, Tao Xiaoming, Wang Xungai, Christina Wong, Calvin Wong, John Xin, Xu Bingang, Joanne Yip; and Drs Esfandiar Pakdel. Over 100,000 top scientists globally are grouped into 22 scientific fields and 174 sub-fields according to the standard Science-Metrix classification. The list is based on composite indicators of publication impact, including total citations, citations to single-authored publications and the H-index. It is divided into two lists in relation to scholars’ career-long citation and single-year citation impact, thus recognising their lifetime achievement and recent research impact, respectively. The two tables below list the rankings of the SFT scholars in terms of ‘Career-long Data’ and ‘Single-year Data’.Our heartiest congratulations to our colleagues on their excellent achievement! Career-long Data Name and Position Scientific Field  Prof. Fan Jintu Lee Family Professor in Textiles Technology and Chair Professor of Fiber Science and Apparel Engineering, Director of Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion, Associate Director of Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology Materials Prof. Fei Bin Professor Polymers Prof. Hu Hong Professor Materials Prof. Kinor Jiang Professor Materials Prof. Kan Chi-wai Professor Polymers Prof. Shou Dahua Associate Professor and Limin Endowed Young Scholar in Advanced Textiles Technologies Materials Prof. Tao Xiaoming Chair Professor of Textile Technology, Vincent and Lily Woo Professor in Textile Technology, Director of Research Centre for Smart Wearable Technology, Director of Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems Materials Prof. Wang Xungai Chair Professor of Fiber Science and Technology (Global STEM Professorship Scheme) and Associate Dean Materials Prof. Christina Wong Professor and Director of Research and Innovation Operations Research Prof. Calvin Wong Professor, Cheng Yik Hung Professor in Fashion, Director of AiDLab Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing Prof. John Xin Chair Professor and Lee Family Professor in Fashion and Textiles Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Prof. Xu Bingang Professor Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Prof. Joanne Yip Professor and Associate Dean  Materials   Single-year Data Name and Position Scientific Field  Prof. Fan Jintu Lee Family Professor in Textiles Technology and Chair Professor of Fiber Science and Apparel Engineering, Director of Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion, Associate Director of Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology Materials Prof. Fei Bin Professor Polymers Prof. Hu Hong Professor Materials Prof. Kinor Jiang Professor Materials Prof. Kan Chi-wai Professor Polymers Dr Esfandiar Pakdel Research Assistant Professor Polymers   Prof. Joselito M. Razal Professor Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Prof. Shou Dahua Associate Professor and Limin Endowed Young Scholar in Advanced Textiles Technologies Materials Prof. Tao Xiaoming Chair Professor of Textile Technology, Vincent and Lily Woo Professor in Textile Technology, Director of Research Centre for Smart Wearable Technology, Director of Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems Materials Prof. Wang Xungai Chair Professor of Fiber Science and Technology (Global STEM Professorship Scheme) and Associate Dean Materials Prof. Christina Wong Professor and Director of Research and Innovation Operations Research Prof. John Xin Chair Professor and Lee Family Professor in Fashion and Textiles Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Prof. Xu Bingang Professor Nanoscience & Nanotechnology

PolyU Junior Researcher Mentoring Programme 2025 nurtures next generation of innovative research talent

PolyU has held the 5th “Junior Researcher Mentoring Programme (JRMP)”, attracting 147 high school students from 97 local and international schools. Under the guidance of Prof. Joanne Yip, Associate Dean, along with two Research Assistant Professors, Dr Fu Jimin and Dr Shi Qiuqing in a four-month period, the students participated in a series of impactful research projects covering diverse fields. This deepened their understanding of the projects and enhanced their research skills. Students also had the opportunity to visit related laboratories and teaching and research facilities, gaining a deeper understanding of SFT’s BA programme, and thereby helping them prepare for their future studies. PolyU launched the JRMP in 2021 to encourage secondary school students to explore a broad range of research fields and interdisciplinary knowledge, fostering their interest in research and nurturing the next generation of local innovation and technology talent in support of Hong Kong’s development as an international innovation and technology centre and international hub for post-secondary education. Nearly 700 secondary school students from 125 local and international schools have participated in the Programme, completing 175 research projects. 

PolyU Info Day 2025

PolyU Info Day 2025, held on 27 September 2025, was a resounding success that attracted an impressive turnout of over 43,000 visitors. This year, more than 5,000 secondary school students, parents, and prospective students gathered to explore the latest admissions and programme offerings from SFT. The School offered six informative sessions of programme delivery and student sharing, drawing over 500 attendees who were eager to learn about all the different opportunities available to them. Additionally, approximately 400 participants took part in nine engaging facility tours, which gave them insights into the state-of-the-art resources available to SFT students. A highlight of the day was the series of workshops on Fashion AI titled “Unlock the Future of Fashion: Weave AI into Fashion Design”. These workshops attracted around 100 participants who explored the intersection of technology and fashion design. The BA Fashion Exhibition at The Fashion Gallery was another major attraction, with over 2,500 visitors who enjoyed the creative and shortlisted works of graduating Design students. The annual Info Day provides a comprehensive and engaging platform for individuals interested in the fashion industry, thus reinforcing SFT’s commitment to fostering creativity and innovation in fashion education. SFT also expresses its heartfelt thanks to the dedicated faculty members, staff, and student volunteers who made the event truly unforgettable.

SFT students and alumni shine at Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers' Contest (YDC) 2025

The Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers' Contest (YDC), organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), is one of Asia’s most anticipated annual fashion events. This year’s contest was successfully held on 6 September 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, where the collections of ten talented local designers were shortlisted — including SFT students Iris Tsoi and Mook Yip, as well as alumni Hei Lau (BA, 2024), Vaness Lee (BA, 2024), Ethan Ho (BA, 2025), Karina To (BA, 2025), and TY Yu (BA, 2025). Hei Lau claimed both the Excellence Award and Best Art Direction for her collection "In Pain", which explores the blurred boundaries between agony and ecstasy. Drawing from her lifelong battle with eczema, Hei’s designs capture the fleeting relief of scratching, followed by pain and scars, thus reflecting a powerful physical and emotional journey. Congratulations also go to Year 3 BA student Mook Yip, who received My Favourite Collection Award for his collection "Modern Animals". Mook’s work synthesises human and animal characteristics to create a striking, monstrous aesthetic, which portrays the workplace as an urban jungle. Recap of the Show: https://youtu.be/NdnMLp3pBm4?si=DBjh1eE5qegFVf Finalists' collections: ▲"Scars of the Earth" by Iris Tsoi ▲"Dance in Dust" by Vaness Lee (BA, 2024) ▲"Memory Flavour" by Ethan Ho (BA, 2025) ▲"Office Ollie" by Karina Ho (BA, 2025) ▲"Duhkha" by TY Yu (BA, 2025)

PolyU receives donation from GS Charity Foundation to support research on using AI to advance sustainable fashion design and brand ecosystem management

PolyU has received a generous donation from the GS Charity Foundation to support SFT's research project “From Tradition to Tech: A Holistic Approach to Sustainable Fashion Design and Brand Ecosystem Management in the Age of AI and Digital Platforms”. The research aims to drive sustainable fashion design and brand ecosystem management. The donation and kick-off ceremony for the research projects was held today on the PolyU campus, officiated by Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, PolyU President, and Mr Yeung Fan, Vice-chairman and General Manager of Glorious Sun Group. The two parties exchanged souvenirs to commemorate the occasion. Co-created by SFT and the Industrial Centre, the PolyU souvenir employs weaving techniques to depict PolyU’s iconic architecture. Engraved with the inscription “With chic, intelligently led fashion, PolyU extends its heartfelt gratitude,” it conveys the University’s deep appreciation to the Foundation for its generous support and highlights SFT’s commitment to driving fashion trends with innovation. In his welcoming remarks, President Teng expressed gratitude to Glorious Sun Group and GS Charity Foundation for its long-standing and steadfast support for PolyU’s development, adding: “AI is a core technology driving Hong Kong’s reindustrialisation and smart city development. With PolyU’s robust research capabilities, this collaboration will enable the continuous supply of talent for the textile sector, equipped with cutting-edge industry knowledge and AI expertise. This will help Hong Kong leverage its regional advantages and further consolidate the Greater Bay Area’s position as a hub for fashion innovation.” Mr Yeung said, “Since the 1980s, Glorious Sun Group has developed a deep partnership with PolyU — one that has remained strong for four decades. Our support for PolyU research into co-developing a brand ecosystem reflects our confidence in PolyU research excellence, testifies to our enduring collaboration, and affirms our shared commitment to nurturing outstanding talent and driving innovation and sustainability in the apparel industry.” Joining Prof. Teng and Mr Yeung at the kick-off ceremony were Ms Cheung Wai-yee, Director and Deputy General Manager of Glorious Sun Group; Professor the Honourable Poon Chung-kwong, PolyU President Emeritus; The Hon Jimmy Ng, Hong Kong Deputy to the National People’s Congress and Member of the Legislative Council; Dr Katherine Ngan, University Court Chairman; Prof. Wing-tak Wong, Deputy President and Provost; and Prof. Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation). After the kick-off ceremony, Prof. Joanne Yip, Associate Dean and Professor of SFT introduced the research project “From Tradition to Tech: A Holistic Approach to Sustainable Fashion Design and Brand Ecosystem Management in the Age of AI and Digital Platforms.” She noted that the fashion industry is undergoing a transformational shift, integrating cutting-edge technologies such as AI and digital platforms while also adopting sustainable practices. The extensive use of AI is providing innovative solutions for the industry, enhancing operational efficiency and delivering a brand-new customer experience. Furthermore, the integration of AI with emerging technologies — such as blockchain, cloud computing, big data and the Internet of Things — is creating unprecedented opportunities for enterprises. The research project will focus on the seven key areas below, developing innovative insights and solutions that integrate traditional fashion design with advanced technologies, including AI and digital platforms. This will help accelerate traditional design and manufacturing processes, and enhance the overall competitiveness of the fashion industry: Intelligent Data-Driven Design and Digital Transformation in the Fashion Industry AI Applications in Fashion: Revolutionising Apparel Review and Safeguarding Creative Assets Apparel Material Simulation and Optimisation System Robust Estimation of Product Budget and Data Mining of Production and Operational Data Managing Supply Ecosystems to Enhance Competitive Advantage: An Integrated Study of Multi-Role Supplier Collaboration Mechanisms in the Fashion Supply Chain Industry A Critical Examination of Online Consumer Reviews: Implications for Digital Transformation in the Fashion Sector AI-Based Optimisation Strategies for the Live Commerce Ecosystem

SFT students excel at Young Knitwear Designers' Contest 2025

SFT is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students at the Young Knitwear Designers' Contest 2025, held on 5 September 2025 at CENTRESTAGE. Lusanna Xu, a BA graduating student, was awarded 1st Runner-Up for her innovative collection, "BODY • PERCEPTION • SPACE". Vincent Cheung, a Year 3 BA student, earned 2nd Runner-Up with his dynamic collection, "CHAMPION5**". Lusanna’s collection explores the relationships among the human body, space, and sensory experiences, thus transforming these abstract themes into creative knitwear designs. She skilfully combines tactile threads such as silk and wool, and uses different knitting techniques and garment designs to articulate her conceptual ideas. Her work stands out for its thoughtful integration of visual effects and ability to express complex themes through innovative textile processes. Vincent’s collection is inspired by athleticism and the pursuit of excellence, which skilfully blends academic influences with sporty elements. Through the use of bold patterns and textures, he has created a fresh and energetic style that showcases both his technical proficiency and creative flair. In recognition of their achievements, both Lusanna and Vincent have been invited to participate in a study trip to Seoul, Korea. This unique opportunity will allow them to engage with international designers, visit leading fashion studios, and gain valuable insights into global trends and practices in knitwear design. Congratulations to Lusanna and Vincent on their well-deserved success!

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.