News

ITF funds ITC research projects HKD 11 million

The Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) of The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles (HKRITA) has approved a total of $11M for three ITC research projects in the past three months. Congratulations to Prof. HU Hong, Dr Tracy MOK, and Dr SHOU Dahua, who are the successful recipients of ITF funding for their research projects. Their focus is on development of 3D crimped polylactic acid (PLA) filaments and knitted products, a made-to-measure intelligent system, and soft robotic clothing, respectively. ITC research projects are diverse in scope and driven by a strong commitment to improve the well-being of the community, and excel in smart wearable technology, digital fashion technology, fashion sustainability and advanced fibrous materials through discovery and the pursuit of advancement in textiles technology. The list of the funded research projects is in the following table: ITF Project Title Project-in-charge Development of 3D crimped PLA filaments and knitted products with improved bulkiness and thermal insulation Prof. HU Hong Decentralised Intelligent Platform for Made-to-measure Mass Customisation Dr Tracy MOK Development of soft robotic clothing for adaptive thermal management Dr SHOU Dahua

ITC Alumni Networking Series

Hosted by Prof. Jintu Fan, Head and Chair Professor of ITC, the first ITC Alumni Networking Series was given on 30 September 2021 successfully. In response to the social distance restrictions, the activity was organised in a hybrid live format in the ITC 4D Theatre and streamed on Zoom. Prof. Fan shared that a series of consultation on upgrading the Institute to School is being conducted among staff and students, alumni and industrialists. "A new, independent school will provide a platform for ITC to achieve its vision, being the leading institution in fashion textile and design, education, research and partnership. It will also make ITC more visible." Prof. Fan said. An Industry Panel Discussion, presented by the FashionTech Timelapsed exposition Webinar Series, “Fashion Technology Adaptions: Past, Present and Future of the Supply Chain" followed. Three alumni including Ms Idy Lee from UNIFi3D, Mr Kim Ho from Crystal International Group, and Mr Roger Chan from Cobalt Fashion shared their views on various issues including:  how are modern fashion technologies integrated in their current product and supply chain in HK/Greater China what were their journeys like in adapting these technologies in HK/Greater China what role do they see design/PD sector play in such fashion technology adoption  in the coming 5-10 years of the industry in HK/Greater China, what impacts and advancements do they foresee The discussion was facilitated by FashionTech Timelapsed featured design scholars, Dr Sarina Sun, Assistant Professor of ITC; Dr Tsai-chun Huang, Research Assistant Professor of ITC. Before the end of the activity, Dr Joanne Yip, Chairlady of Partnership and Development Working Group, offered a facility tour to the alumni. They cherished the opportunities to reunite with their classmates and teachers! The event was jointly sponsored by The Textile and Clothing Alumni Association, Hong Kong Institution of Textile and Apparel, ITC Store, and The Fashion Gallery. 

Staff promotion

ITC is pleased to announce that Dr Lilly Li has been promoted to Professor effective 1 October 2021. Her research interests include design thinking, functional textile design, and advanced manufacturing. She has strong collaboration with various local and international brands and textile companies. She has successfully secured 64 projects worth a total amount of over HK$ 84 million, published over 90 research articles in world-leading and top-tier textile journals, and held 24 patents. Her research outcome is highly recognized by both academia and industry, generating a great impact on fashion business. The novel technologies developed have successfully trademarked for CN, EU, US, and HK, realized for mass production in tons scale and used for various commercial purposes with a total knowledge transfer value over HKD 300 million. With her achievement, she has won 29 prestigious international awards, including the Golden Award of the 46th and 47th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva for two consecutive years. Congratulation Prof. Li!

New channel for fashion lovers – Fashion Talks

We all know that fashion is not just about trends or appearance, it is a lifestyle and a movement. To provide more about the latest in the fashion industry, ITC is excited to announce the launch of a new video channel called Fashion Talks. Fashion Talks is a media platform that shares insider news /tips of front-line professionals, academics and fashion lovers. The first episode features three local fashion insiders about their must-have items in the coming season. Jimmy Chan, Head of Account Management of Farfetch, an online luxury fashion retail platform, talks about F/W menswear. Zaneta Cheng, a dynamic fashionista and Editorial Director of #Legend magazine, tells us about the styling trends for women in 2021 and the up and coming fashion brands from Hong Kong to keep an eye on. Lastly, independent menswear designer and visual artist, Kit Wan who works between Hong Kong and Scandinavia, brings us new ideas about what to wear in winter with a cross-cultural perspective. Kit is also an ITC alumnus. Get inspired by Fashion Talks for more fashion tips! Subscribe to Fashion Talks NOW Follow us for the latest trends and fashion tips on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fashion___talks/

Historic proposal to establish ITC as School of Fashion and Textiles

In a historic move, ITC is proposing to the Central Management of PolyU to establish ITC as a School of Fashion and Textiles separate from the Faculty of Applied Science and Textiles (FAST). Consultations with staff and students of ITC, ITC alumni as well as industry partners of ITC are currently being conducted. We believe that a school status will reinforce the international recognition of ITC as a world leader in fashion, textiles and design education and research. The change will greatly benefit our students, PolyU, the industry and society at large. Furthermore, the new status allows us to: provide a better platform for ITC to advance its mission as a leading institution in fashion, textiles and design education, research and partnerships; increase the presence of ITC locally, regionally and internationally; attract more high quality local and international students who intend to pursue studies in fashion and related areas;better reflect the changes in the Hong Kong fashion & textile industry and the academic programmes that ITC is offering; and better facilitate staff recruitment and development so as to better serve the fashion & textile industry. Consultation has been closed on 10 October 2021. ITC appreciates all the inputs and participation from different contributors.

Professors Kinor Jiang and Zijian Zheng supervising 2021 Hong Kong Scholars Programme postdoctoral fellows

In February 2022, 22 outstanding postdoctoral fellows selected from leading universities in Mainland China will take part in two-year research projects in Hong Kong under the guidance of 22 PolyU academics. These 22 individuals represent the largest share of this year’s cohort of 52 postdoctoral fellows among all government-funded universities in Hong Kong. Two ITC professors, Prof. Kinor Jiang and Prof. Zijian Zheng, will supervise two postdoctoral fellows who received their PhD from Donghua University and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology respectively. Our two professors are looking forward to meeting their postdoctoral fellow. Prof. Jiang's project aims to construct wearable electrochemical energy storage devices with high-performance flexible electrodes. The electrodes are fabricated by in-situ growing active materials on a textile substance via magnetron sputtering. The project will focus on the practical application performance of textile-based devices and is committed to developing green intelligent energy storage products. Prof. Zheng's postdoctoral fellow is currently Associate Professor of the Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He will be involved in a wearable electronics project. Electronic devices and systems with high stretchability are essential in the fields of wearable electronics, on-skin electronics, soft robotics, and bioelectronics. Stretchable electronic devices conventionally built with elastomeric thin films show a lack of permeability, which not only impedes wear comfort and creates skin inflammation over the long term with wear, but also limits the design form factors of device integration in the vertical direction. This project aims to develop new permeable and conductive materials for stretchable electronics. The scope of the project includes materials development and device fabrication to study the mechanical and electrical properties, as well as the biocompatibility of the materials and devices. About the 2021 Hong Kong Scholars Programme The 2021 Hong Kong Scholars Programme is a cross-border initiative to nurture postdoctoral fellows so that they conduct high-level research work, particularly in experimental science and the engineering disciplines. The initiative helps to cultivate research talent who will contribute to the development of innovation and technology in society. The programme is supported by the Society of Hong Kong Scholars and Mainland authorities, including the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The research projects cover about 15 subject areas, including chemistry, civil engineering, computer science, information and communication engineering, materials science and engineering, medical technology, and textiles.

Psy Lau is Hong Kong Best at Redress Design Award 2021

We are proud to extend our congratulations to our BA Year 3 student, Psy Lau, who won “Hong Kong Best Prize” at The Redress Design Award 2021 Fashion Show. The event was successfully held on 11 September on a hybrid runway, with real and virtual models featured at the Grand Final fashion show. Psy receives a number of prizes, including: A development fund of HK$15,000 (US$1900) A JUKI high-performance lockstitch sewing machine Digital copy of the Bloomsbury book The Dangers of Fashion: Towards Ethical and Sustainable Solutions by Sara B. Marcketti and Elena E. Karpova 2 months access to designer rooms co-working space Psy likes to explore new solutions for fashion that could change consumption behaviours and limit the negative environmental impacts of the fashion industry. Her winning collection “A.D.H.D.” impressed the panel of judges with its story which raises awareness of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Her collection showcases the possibility of innovative fashion design and sustainable development. Her clever use of locally-sourced textile waste in her collection also contributed to her success. The Redress Design Award is the world’s largest sustainable fashion design competition working to educate emerging fashion designers around the world about sustainable design theories and techniques in order to drive the shift towards a circular fashion system. By putting sustainable design talent in the global spotlight, the competition creates a unique platform for passionate and talented fashion game-changers to transform the global fashion industry, and rewards the best with career-changing prizes to maximise long-term impact. Create Hong Kong of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is the Lead Sponsor of the Redress Design Award.

ITC contributes to legacy of the cheongsam

The “Hong Kong Cheongsam Making Technique” was added to the “National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage” in June 2021. As the leading fashion institute in Hong Kong, the Institute of Textiles and Clothing (ITC) responded to this honour by organising the first ever cheongsam seminar called “Deconstructing Male and Female Cheongsam: Aesthetics and Craftsmanship” after the monumental inscription. The seminar was held on 25 June 2021 in a hybrid format with in-person attendance at PolyU and delivered simultaneously online as a webinar. Nearly one hundred participants attended the event. The seminar was a gathering of likeminded parties who are passionate about preserving the legacy of the cheongsam, including the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office (ICHO), Hong Kong Cheongsam Association (HKCA), South China Research Centre (SCRC), Cheongsam Connect (CC), Shanghai Tailoring Worker General Union, veteran cheongsam masters, fashion designers, researchers, academics, and students from fellow fashion institutes. They had the opportunity to network and share knowledge on the conservation of this textile art. Dr Brenda Li, advisor of the HKCA, gave an informative and inspiring lecture on “Deconstructing Male and Female Cheongsam: Aesthetics and Craftsmanship”. She deliberated on the history, development, aesthetics, authentic forms, and wisdom of the craftsmanship of the cheongsam for both men and women. Dr Li specifically addressed the risk of extinction of tailoring techniques of authentic men’s cheongsam and the urgency to train and cultivate successors to carry on the tradition. ITC has been at the forefront of research work, projects, and teaching not only in fashion design, technology, and business, but also in fashion culture and traditional craftsmanship. The Hong Kong Cheongsam is one of the areas that the department has been supporting and contributing to its legacy. Since 2011, ITC has been cooperating with the Hong Kong Museum of History, researchers of fellow universities and institutes, and the ICHO in a variety of cheongsam related projects. In 2021, ITC joined the HKCA as an institutional member and proactively contributes to efforts in preserving the cheongsam. With the aim to connect different entities, the Deconstructing Male and Female Cheongsam: Aesthetics and Craftsmanship seminar took the lead in initiating a comprehensive network among cheongsam enthusiasts and related authorities, which marks the start of ITC in advocating for and supporting this national cultural heritage legacy.

International Student Fashion Film Contest 2021 | Award presentation ceremony

The award presentation ceremony of the International Student Fashion Film Contest 2021, successfully held on 20 September in ITC 4D Theatre and streamed on Zoom. The ISFFC 2021 was conducted between May and July 2021. With the supports of young talents who have great enthusiasm for fashion film, over 50 participants from fashion institutes across the world had submitted their creative works under the theme of FASHIONLOCALISM. Thanks to the professional assessments of the jury panel, 10 outstanding submissions have been shortlisted as the finalists for the 5 titled awards and merits. Their works demonstrated high levels of innovativeness and distinctive fashion interpretations. To celebrate the success of ISFCC 2021, we are delighted to share that the ISFFC2021 Virtual Exhibition organized by The Fashion Gallery of Institute of Textiles & Clothing, is now showcasing the quality works of the finalists online. The details of the virtual exhibition are as follows: ISFFC2021 Virtual Exhibition Exhibition Link: https://www.fashiongallery.hk/international-student-fashion-film-contest The Fashion Gallery: https://www.fashiongallery.hk A thematic webinar titled 'Fashion versus Costumes, In the world of movies' was also held that day. We are honoured to have Edith Cheung, the award-winning costume designer, who has a wealth of experience in the textile industry, costume design, art direction, and film industry to be the guest speaker. Her sharing has bought us great inspiration for costumes in movies. About The International Student Fashion Film Contest 2021 The International Student Fashion Film Contest 2021 (ISFFC2021) aims to promote and award-recognize creativity and innovativeness in the fashion-related fields; discover and nurture young fashion talents and facilitate fashion careers; provide non-profit making and interdisciplinary networking opportunities for international fashion connections; and promote sustainability, cultural diversity, and idea exchange around the world.

Dr Dahua Shou award recipient at 6th International Invention Competition in Canada

Dr Dahua Shou, Assistant Professor, is the recipient of the Semi-Grand Prize and Gold Medal at the 6th International Invention Innovation Competition in Canada, (iCAN) 2021 for his research project titled "Sweatextile: A Sweatable Textile for High Comfort and Protection". This year, iCAN featured 650 inventions from 70 countries around the world, which redefined the event as the true global stage for worldwide inventors in Toronto, Canada. Humans sweat to cool down and dissipate heat in indoor and outdoor environments. However, when the body produces excessive sweat, clothing will be soaked in perspiration and the wearer will feel clammy, which causes discomfort and significantly affects the quality of life. Sweating is also time costly with the need for sweat management. Transcending beyond existing wicking textiles, Sweatextile (適維泰) uses nature-inspired innovations and acts like a textile skin, quickly directing and dissipating excessive sweat as water droplets onto its outer surface, keeping the wearer dry and comfortable, with more energy and endurance. In the meantime, Sweatextile is amazingly repellent to external liquids, protecting the wearer from rain or contaminated water. The unidirectional water dissipation of this textile is achieved by the hydrophilic-hydrophobic gradient in the local ‘sweat glands’ of the globally hydrophobic Sweatextile. An outstanding directional-water-transport-capability of 1647.9% is obtained by a moisture management tester in accordance with AATCC 195. Furthermore, a premium version of Sweatextile integrated with a waterproof spacing fabric shell can resist water at a hydrostatic head of 8,000 mm as a form of protection, while still allowing quick and directional sweat removal. Sweatextile (適維泰) is inspired by nature, and acts like a textile skin, quickly directing and dissipating excessive sweat as water droplets onto its outer surface, keeping you dry and comfortable, with more energy and endurance. Funded by the Innovation and Technology Fund of the Innovation and Technology Commission, Sweatextile, a promise of excellent thermal and moisture comfort, is suitable for a wide range of consumers such as outdoor enthusiasts, by enhancing customized thermoregulation and saving energy from the need to manage sweat. Vigorously active professionals including athletes, construction workers, medical personnel, and firefighters will also find Sweatextile to be highly desirable. About International Invention Innovation Competition in Canada The International Invention Innovation Competition in Canada (iCAN) is the premier event of Canada for worldwide inventors. The main purpose of iCAN is to build a special platform to unite creativity and innovative initiatives of inventors with the rest of the world by providing everyone with the golden opportunity to expand their international network and business activities, and promote their inventions, new products and research projects with the possibility of achieving a new milestone of success through the iCAN Awards. iCAN 2021 features a range of different online programs: invention competition, presentations of educational keynote speakers, the Finals Movie and the Finals Award Winners announcement.