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SFT + knitwear industrialists ignite innovations at Young Designer Project

Four talented knitwear design students, Cheung Wai-yee, Yim Chi-ching, Qiu Wing-yee,  and Li Yan, Lizy, were shortlisted in the Young Designer Project competition and given the unique opportunity to create outfits with the generous production sponsorship of local knitting manufacturers. They leveraged the different kinds of sponsored materials and created awe-inspiring and imaginative garments that push the boundaries of knitwear design. The collaboration reached its zenith when the winning students had the honour of showcasing their exceptional designs in Florence - the heart of Italy, in June. This prestigious event attracted guests and visitors from all corners of the world, providing them with an exclusive glimpse into the extraordinary talents of our knitwear design students. Building on this success, the winning pieces are set to captivate audiences worldwide as they make appearances at prestigious fairs in Paris, New York, and Shanghai throughout 2023 and 2024. This global exposure not only celebrates the achievements of the students but also highlights the significance and impact of the collaboration between SFT and the knitwear industry. The winning students were also supported by the International Competition and Conference Participation Scheme (ICCPS) which is administrated by the Global Engagement Office (GEO) of PolyU to enhance internationalisation and achieve global excellence and a global reputation. The value of this collaboration extends far beyond the academia, as the partnership effectively bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical experience. This partnership serves as a driving force for positive change within the fashion industry, pushing the industry toward a future defined by creativity and excellence. By nurturing talent and fostering innovation, this collaboration is a milestone for both knitwear design students and the industry alike. Ms Susan Kwong, Marketing Director of M.ORO Cashmere had this to say: "This collaboration represents a significant milestone in the journey of knitwear design students and the industry. It highlights the immense value of combining academic expertise with industry insights, resulting in a powerful synergy that drives innovation, cultivates talent, and propels the fashion industry forward."

SFT Students Recognised at "Thread of Creativity" Fashion Design Competition

The "Thread of Creativity" fashion design competition, which aims to inspire Hong Kong's younger generation and engage them with the fashion industry, successfully wrapped up its third annual event on 9 September 2023. Co-organised by the Sham Shui Po District Youth Development and Civic Education Committee, and the Asian New Generation Creativity Design Association, this competition provides a platform for passionate young individuals between 16 and 29 years old to showcase their talent and creativity in fashion design. Three SFT students were recognised for their creative efforts, including Lam Lik Ki, Carlos who won 2nd Runner-up, Wang Guolin, Naomi who was given the Best Creativity Award while TANG Lai Sho, Lisa received Best Marketability Award. This year’s competition which featured the theme of "INFINITY" challenged contestants to redefine fashion by merging traditional culture and new technology, while emphasising the importance of sustainable development. The aim of this theme is to encourage innovative approaches that not only create infinite new looks but also contribute to the preservation of our planet. Throughout the competition, the participants had the opportunity to demonstrate their innovativeness, creativity, and talent. Twelve finalists were shortlisted to participate in workshops organised by the competition's organisers, where they had the chance to further develop their skills and expand their knowledge of the fashion industry. These practical workshops equipped the contestants with valuable insights and allowed them to engage with industry professionals. This competition was held at the well-known CENTRESTAGE event, where the finalists presented their unique designs to a captivated audience.    Photos source: Asian New Generation Creativity Design Association

Mandy Fong awarded at Redress Design Award 2023

SFT celebrates the remarkable achievement of alumna Mandy Fong (BA, 2022), who was awarded the prestigious Hong Kong Best Prize at the Redress Design Award 2023, organised by Redress. The grand final presentation and award ceremony took place at Centrestage on 7 September 2023. Mandy's exceptional talent and innovative approach to sustainable fashion design earned her the distinction of being Hong Kong's highest-scoring designer in the competition. Along with the Hong Kong Best Prize, she also received a development fund of HK$15,000 for her fashion brand. With a strong commitment to the slow fashion movement, Mandy aims to utilise her platform and brand to create planet-forward pieces by using meaningful materials, thereby extending the lifespan of clothing. Her award-winning design collection, titled 'Start From Zero', drew inspiration from the issue of home textile waste. Through her designs, Mandy explores the potential of upcycling home textile waste into multifunctional outfits that seamlessly combine aesthetics and practicality. Mandy's captivating show collection was also prominently exhibited at The Mills for two weeks, which allowed the public to appreciate her sustainable designs alongside the works of other finalists and esteemed alumni. The School remains steadfast in its commitment to collaborating with the fashion industry to foster a sustainable fashion future through education and innovative initiatives. About Redress and Redress Design Award Redress is a Hong Kong-based NGO dedicated to driving the transformation towards a circular fashion industry. Since 2011, Redress has organised the world's largest sustainable fashion design competition annually. The competition serves as an educational platform for emerging fashion designers worldwide, and promotes sustainable design theories and techniques to realise a circular fashion system. By showcasing sustainable design talent on a global stage, the Redress Design Award provides a unique opportunity for passionate and talented fashion innovators to revolutionise the global fashion industry. The award also grants career-changing prizes to maximise long-term impact.

Emerging brands of SFT alumni shine at CENTRESTAGE 2023

SFT, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), played a significant role as a partner institution at the prestigious fashion event CENTRESTAGE which was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 6 to 9 September. The four-day event showcased the achievements of SFT alumni, and featured their booths and a mini parade show. A new SFT platform, Mint Studio was also introduced. The event welcomed both industry professionals and the general public.This year, SFT proudly presented 12 emerging brands of its alumni at CENTRESTAGE, and provided them with 72 sqm of space to showcase their innovative concepts and latest designs for both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) purposes. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, face-to-face business matching meetings with local and international buyers, suppliers, and retailers have resumed, which offer valuable networking and business opportunities. The participating alumni brands included athenaeum(m.), 199S, GNASTIY.COM, JÚNEE, Lam Wing Sum, LE FONDRE, MIDNIGHT FACTORY, My beloved crafts, PSY LAU, röyksopp gakkai, SZMAN, and VIVA IN THE LAB. Notably, alumni brands such as PSY LAU and SZMAN received special recognition and promotion from a well-known online fashion magazine, Madame Figaro, and HK01, a local online news portal. About CENTRESTAGE 2023 CENTRESTAGE 2023, now in its eighth year, is an annual fashion extravaganza organised by the HKTDC, along with Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as the Lead Sponsor. The event is renowned for featuring both local and international fashion brands, captivating runway shows, curated presentations, and informative seminars and forums that focus on fashion trends and sustainability.

Ng Pui-pui and Li Yan shortlisted for XINAO "Knit for Next 2023"

The ‘Knit for Next 2023’ knitwear design competition organised by Zhejiang Xinao Textiles Inc. (XINAO) shortlisted two Year 3 BA students, Ng Pui-pui and Li Yan, among 2,200 entries globally. Their collections were showcased at SPINEXPOTM Shanghai from 29 August to 31 August along with the creations of eight other finalists. XINAO hosted the competition as a platform for fashion design students around the world to share their creativity. The students used the F/W 2024 - 2025 XINAO wool collection and were encouraged to show their awareness and understanding of environmental protection and the exceptional properties of wool and cashmere yarn as the primary raw materials through this competition. Pui-pui and Yan designed their knitwear collections with these goals in mind, and created a low-carbon and clean knitted series of garments. Pui Pui’s exquisite seamless dress also crowned her winner of the Cixing Wholegarment Award.

Minkyeong Bae chosen as young researcher for 2023 URIS Scheme

SFT proudly announces that Minkyeong Bae, a BA student majoring in knitwear design and technology, has been chosen as a young researcher for the prestigious 2023 Undergraduate Research and Innovation Scheme (URIS). This exemplifies her remarkable academic accomplishments and unwavering commitment to her studies. Currently in her fourth year of study, Minkyeong has earned this distinguished recognition and secured a URIS Scholarship of HK$10,000 along with an accompanying project grant valued at HK$30,000. Minkyeong shared her thoughts: “As a dedicated SFT student, I am excited about working with PolyU’s esteemed research community. This prestigious award is a true honour, and I am profoundly grateful for the guidance of Dr Chloe Ki, which has played a crucial role in my success in securing this scholarship. Under her expert supervision, I am eager to explore the impact of generative AI — a technology with immense potential to reshape various facets of the contemporary fashion industry. Specifically, my research will focus on how this technology influences perceptions and purchase decisions among fashion consumers. I view this opportunity as a pivotal cornerstone in my academic journey, guiding my path toward my future career.” About the URIS The URIS is a distinguished initiative with the primary aim of fostering academic curiosity and championing inquiry-based learning within the undergraduate student community. The  scheme offers a platform for candidates who are pursuing their Bachelor's degree to explore their research interests.

SFT School Retreat 2023

SFT recently organised its first retreat, which took place from 24th to 25th August in Macau. The retreat, centred around the theme of 'Research Excellence', brought together more than 40 staff members for a productive exchange of ideas and insights. Prof. Erin Cho, Dean of SFT, gave the opening speech to start the event, during which she provided updates on the future plans of the School and announced the launch of new Master's programmes. Following her address, Prof. Kan Chi-wai and Prof. Xu Bingang delivered presentations on research and knowledge transfer performance. During the 2-day event, the participants engaged in group discussions that focused on various topics, including collaborative research, future strategic research directions, and the enhancement of research impact and environment. These discussions proved to be highly fruitful, setting the stage for the strategic direction of SFT in the upcoming year. SFT remains committed to fostering research excellence and creating a vibrant research community. Staff members are encouraged to exchange knowledge, explore collaborative opportunities, and contribute to the ongoing growth and development of the School.

Minkyeong Bae and Jiyeong Ko receive esteemed 2023 United Nations Millennium Fellowship

Two SFT undergraduates, Minkyeong Bae and Jiyeong Ko, are recipients of the esteemed 2023 United Nations Millennium Fellowship. They received this honour based on an innovative collaborative project titled “The Patience is Bitter, but the Result is Fruitful”. This initiative initially originated in one of the subjects supervised by Assistant Professor Dr Chloe Ki. In their application for the fellowship, Minkyeong and Jiyeong outlined their future aspirations to expand and enhance the scope of this project. The inspiration behind this project was drawn from the eco-conscious initiatives of a fashion brand, sparked by Minkyeong and Jiyeong's impromptu visit to Ralph Lauren's Ralph's Coffee in Hong Kong. Their awareness was stirred by the alarming statistic that nearly 45% of edible produce is discarded because they are ugly food. Guided by their studies in SFT, they recognised the potential of repurposing these surplus yet aesthetically unpleasing fruit for clothing and accessories within the fashion industry. In their project, they envisioned a novel business strategy for the brand. This included the introduction of a tailored environmental, social, and governance (ESG) vending machine, dedicated to the collection and recycling of ugly food. Their initiative also aimed to enhance children’s awareness of fruit fiber cycles, while simultaneously fostering the investment of fashion brands in ESG practices. Additionally, leveraging the metaverse platform ZEPETO, they constructed a virtual world with the intention of enlightening younger generations about the environmental implications associated with integrating fruit fiber into fashion industry applications. Minkyeong and Jiyeong expressed their appreciation to Dr Ki for her support and as recipients of the fellowship: "Dr Ki's invaluable guidance played a pivotal role in aligning our project with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 12 and 14. We are genuinely thrilled and deeply honored to have been chosen to join the ranks of the Millennium Fellowship Class of 2023 — an esteemed cohort that includes over 4,000 accomplished peers from more than 260 campuses worldwide. As beneficiaries of the UN Millennium Fellowship, we aspire to take on a leading role in making substantial contributions towards a cleaner and healthier future, with a particular focus on the fashion industry."

"Awakening the Classic Poise" research seminar

Following the success of two research projects on Hong Kong cheongsam-making techniques for men and intangible cultural heritage (ICH) conducted by Assistant Professor, Dr Haze Ng, a public research seminar was organised on 4 August at PolyU, which attracted over 160 guests from the academia, industry, research community and cultural sector, who are passionate about this invaluable type of craftsmanship. The stakeholders who are committed to the preservation of this cultural phenomenon and specialists in this field were invited to discuss the history, craftsmanship, and inheritance of this ICH from a multitude of perspectives at “Awakening the Classic Poise: Hong Kong Men’s Cheongsam Making Technique and Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritance Exhibition”, including the representatives of the Hong Kong Cheongsam Association (official bearer organisation of the ICH), directors of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum and Hong Kong Museum of History, specialist academics, veteran master tailors and registered ICH bearers. A parallel exhibition was staged between 3 August and 21 September 2023 at The Fashion Gallery of PolyU, which showcased the research findings of Dr Ng’s projects together with 29 exquisite men’s cheongsam relics and prototypes. Encouraging feedback has been received from the industry, cultural sector, research communities, and fashion authorities. On 22 September, The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr Hu Heping, visited Hong Kong and presented a plaque to the Hong Kong Cheongsam Association, the protection organisation of the national ICH item, the Hong Kong cheongsam-making technique, in the presence of the Acting Chief Executive, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Acting Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau; and the Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Miss Eve Tam. Our Dr Ng, the executive committee member of the Association, was invited to deliver the acknowledgement address on behalf of the Hong Kong Cheongsam Association to the Minister and the officiating guests. More about the Presentation Ceremony of Commemorative Plaques.

The Hong Kong Next Fashion Talent Award

To reinforce the image of Hong Kong as a fashion design hub and celebrate the evolution of SFT from an institute to a school, SFT organised The Hong Kong Next Fashion Talent Award with the theme ‘Hong Kong Culture – a mix of Chinese and Western influences’ for fashion lovers who are studying in S4, S5, Grade 10, and Grade 11 in Hong Kong. The contest aimed to stir the imagination and motivate the creativity of children as well as encourage their interest in the cultural elements of Hong Kong and increase their knowledge of these elements. The competition also advocated appreciation of local culture and integration of local cultural elements into fashionable outfits. The final presentation and award presentation ceremony were successfully held on 3 Aug. Based on their creativity, originality, the use of local cultural elements in their outfit design and overall appeal, eight contestants were shortlisted for the final presentation and three individuals were awarded for their outstanding work. Champion went to HKUGA College student Miss Fong Wui-ling, Beling, 1st Runner-up to St. Margaret's Co-educational English Secondary and Primary School student Miss Cheung Ka-ching, Minnie, and 2nd Runner-up to Belilios Public School student Miss Chan Suen-wing. The winners received a cash prize of HK$10,000, HK$7,500 and HK$5,000 respectively. All of the winners will also be favourably considered for admission to SFT. Congratulations to the finalists and winners, who stretched their imagination and showed their creativity by integrating local cultural elements into their fashionable outfits. Thanks to all of the other contestants for their participation, and our SFT judges, SFT Associate Dean, Dr Joe Au and Associate Professor, Dr Ho Chu-po, for their valuable comments.