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PolyU signs a collaborative agreement with top textile university in Southern China to promote green and healthy textiles

  PolyU today announced the signing of a collaborative framework agreement with Wuyi University (WYU). The two universities will join hands for research on the development of green and healthy textile materials over a span of three years. The collaboration marks an important milestone of joint R&D effort between Hong Kong and Jiangmen – two major cities in the Greater Bay Area. As one of the world's largest textile and garment production and consumption regions, the Mainland's growing demand for "green and healthy" textile has created a huge market potential for antibacterial and mildew resistant textiles. The collaboration aims to facilitate the experts from the two universities to innovate dyeing and finishing technologies for fabrics so as to address the health and environmental concerns associated with man-made fibers and their chemical processes. As textiles are good substrates for exponential bacterial growth and microbial proliferation under appropriate moisture, nutrients, and temperature conditions, the research will also study the ingredients and methodologies to enhance the antibacterial, antimicrobial and antifungal performances in textiles. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ir Prof. Alex WAI, Vice President (Research Development) of PolyU, said "PolyU has proven records in translating impactful research results into applicable technologies and solutions to benefit the society and humankind. Leveraging our research strengths in textile technology for smart materials, textile-based wearable electronics and biomedical textiles, we believe the collaboration will bring further success in developing next generation "green and healthy" fabrics. We are very pleased to collaborate with universities in the Greater Bay Area such as WYU. Such cooperation platforms will accelerate innovation, new technology development and commercial applications of R&D in the region." Prof. ZHANG Kun, Party Committee Secretary of WYU, thanked PolyU for kick-starting the collaboration in textile research. He hoped this is just the beginning and the cooperation could be extended to other disciplines between the two universities.

ITC holds “Youreable” Fashion Design 2019

More than 300 disables comprising from 10 Hong Kong NGOs joined the “Youreable Fashion Design 2019 on 6 April 2019 on PolyU campus. This meaningful event is organized by the Troels H. Povlsen Care Apparel Centre (CAC) of PolyU. The objectives of this event are to demonstrate the talents of disables and to provide an opportunity for PolyU students to work alongside with disables in the community. 20 sets of design outfits from the finalists were presented at the Award Presentation Ceremony officiated by Dr Law Chi Kwong, Secretary of Labour and Welfare, Dr Lam Tai Fai, Chairman of the PolyU Council and Professor Alex Wai, Vice President (Research and Development) of PolyU. Among the 300 received design works, 20 were selected and their loved ones of the finalists dressed up and showcased the outfits on stage. The awards were given to the Best Design – Champion, 1st Runner Up and 2nd Runner Up, Most Creative, Best Stage Performance Award.     Addressing the ceremony, Professor Alex Wai said, “The “Youreable Fashion Design” event, now in its nineth year, has provided a unique platform for the elderly and disables to showcase their talents in fashion design. Our students also benefit from the learning experience. Through participating in this service learning subject, they can put classroom theories into practice and serve the community at the same time.”         Dr Law Chi Kwong said,” The “Youreable Fashion Design” event could provide the elderly and the disabled an opportunity to express their emotion through fashion design in order to build up their self-confidence as well as improving the communication with the public.”  

PolyU stages Intimate Fashion Show 2019

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) showcased the creativity and talents of 12 graduating students at the PolyU Intimate Fashion Show held earlier at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, Kowloon Bay. The 12 collections of three outfits put on show on 20 March were designed and produced by the students majoring in Intimate Apparel and Activewear under the University’s Institute of Textiles and Clothing (ITC), with raw materials sponsored by intimate apparel manufacturers and suppliers. The venue of the Show was also provided free by the Interfiliere Hong Kong. Group photo of the guests and students at the PolyU Intimate Fashion Show. Among them are: Prof Wing-tak Wong, PolyU’s Dean of Faculty of Applied Science and Textiles (3rd from left); Ms Angie Lau, Chairman of Hong Kong Intimate Apparel Industries’ Association and the CEO of Clover Group International Limited (2nd from left); and Prof Jintu Fan, Chair Professor and Head of Institute of Textiles and Clothing, PolyU (4th from left). Four renowned figures in the design and fashion industry also formed a panel of judges to shortlist six finalists who were awarded the opportunity to showcase the full set of their design collections at the PolyU Fashion Show scheduled in June this year. The panel of judges includes: Ms Jos Berry, Founder and Creative Director of Concept Paris; Ms Mon Leung, Head of Creation of Pioneer Elastic; Mr Walter Ma, renowned fashion designer and Vice Chairman of Hong Kong Fashion Designer Association; and Ms Anne Mok, President of Luen Thai Holdings.   Prof. Wing-tak Wong, Dean of Faculty of Applied Science and Textiles, PolyU, expressed his gratitude to the industry for its generous support to the Show which enhanced the diversity of students’ learning experience. Prof. Jintu Fan, Chair Professor and Head of ITC, remarked that the students’ innovation, talent and passion for intimate apparel and activewear design were manifested in the fashion show. Ms Angie Lau, Chairman of Hong Kong Intimate Apparel Industries’ Association and the CEO of Clover Group International Limited, stressed that HKIAIA would continue to support and nurture the younger generation for the continuous development of the industry.

ITC receives donation from KTC Limited

The Masters in Fashion & Textile Design programme at ITC has received a generous donation of HK$500,000 from Mr Gerhard Flatz, Managing Director of KTC Limited, to support its academic development. A donation ceremony was held on 8 March in the 4D theatre, prior to students presenting their innovative collaborative group projects to Mr Flatz and his team. Creating future industry mavericks, innovators, radical practitioners and fearless thinkers - to review the fashion industry from within, collaborate, innovate and design for a better future: that is the aim of the MA in Fashion & Textile Design. The dynamic and intensive full-time programme offers students contemporary and challenging training in a year of unique practice – to perfect and fine tune skills to the highest standards. As a key industry stakeholder, Mr Flatz was optimistic about the vision and future of the MA programme, led by Basia Szkutnicka, Professor of Practice (Fashion Design) and confirmed his input to connect education and industry in the most creative way possible to ensure a well-rounded perspective on opportunities for graduates to make a difference in the fashion world. At the donation ceremony, Prof. Jintu Fan, Chair Professor and Head of ITC, thanked KTC Limited for their contribution to the MA and support over the last two years. He said, “The donation will give a strong boost to the development of the programme.”

PolyU collaborates with RCA, the world’s top institute in Art and Design, to establish an AI powered design laboratory

PolyU and the Royal College of Art (RCA), United Kingdom, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to confirm their intention to establish the PolyU|RCA Artificial Intelligence Design Laboratory (AIDL). The Laboratory will be the world’s first and leading research facility to advance the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the design of products and service. Targeted to uncover knowledge and techniques related to design and scientific principles, new design process and innovative products, AIDL will address industry demands for efficiency, automation and customising products and services in the innovation and technology era. Its research deliverables will support industries including healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality and retail services.   The Hon Mrs Carrie LAM CHENG Yuet-ngor, the Chief Executive of HKSAR witnessed the signing ceremony.   The Hon Mrs Carrie LAM CHENG Yuet-ngor, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) attended the ceremony and witnessed the signing of MoU by Prof. Philip Chan, Interim President and Provost of PolyU and Dr Paul Thompson, Vice-Chancellor of RCA. Also joining the ceremony as witnesses were Dr Lam Tai-fai, Council Chairman of PolyU; Ir Prof. Alex Wai, Vice President (Research Development); Dr Miranda Lou, Executive Vice President; Prof. Naren Barfield, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost of RCA; Prof. Juan Cruz, Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities and Ms Helen Protheroe, Director of Development & Alumni Relations of RCA. Addressing in the ceremony, The Hon Mrs Carrie Lam, said, “The opportunity to witness this marriage of design and AI which belongs to the technology portfolio is extremely gratifying. I am sure that the collaborated team of PolyU and RCA will find in Hong Kong the appeal of time-tested legal system, robust intellectual property protection, strong financial sector, and the support for commercialisation of R and D results, as well as the distinctive east meets west culture which sparks creative inspiration.” Prof. Philip Chan said, “I am confident that this Laboratory will bring together the strengths of both institutions to lead the world in this new design paradigm, contributing to the innovation and technology development in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.” “Founded 182 years ago, in response to the first industrial revolution, the Royal College of Art (RCA) today stands at the turn of the fourth revolution. The world will witness breakthroughs across design and technology including artificial intelligence – where art and design will meet. As the world’s number one art and design university, we have built our capacity to work across disciplines, combining our art and design research expertise with insights from science, technology and engineering. We are delighted to collaborate with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University to bring together unrivalled capabilities,” said Dr Paul Thompson Vice-Chancellor of RCA. PolyU will engage researchers and resources from various disciplines including ITC, Department of Applied Mathematics, Department of Computing, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering and School of Design to work together with RCA on a number of theme-based research. Among them, there will be empirical research in Affective Computing and Social Robots that could recognise and analyse human emotions. Other studies will include: Intelligent Fashion Design; Intelligent Textile and Apparel Design and Manufacturing; innovating materials of the future that are extremely light, robust and able to detect human bio-metrics for fashion and wearables; creating automatic systems for ergonomic design and human modelling, and using regenerative approach in product design and material development for sustainability in the circular economy, etc. Committed to supporting the HKSAR Government’s InnoHK initiative in developing Hong Kong as the hub for global research collaborations, the two institutions has just submitted a proposal to the HKSAR Government under the AIR@InnoHK research cluster initiative.

Call for entries: Techstyle for social good international competition

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PolyU Intimate Fashion Show - Up-and-coming Designers (20 March)

PolyU and the 13th edition of Interfiliere HK are delighted to co-host the PolyU Intimate Fashion Show: Up-and-Coming Designers, on March 20th, 2019. This event is organized by the ITC, and supported by the Hong Kong Intimate Apparel Industries’ Association (HKIAIA). The fashion show will feature 36 original garments, designed and brought to live by 12 selected final year students from the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree programme in Fashion and Textiles with Specialism in Intimate Apparel and Activewear at PolyU. Possessing true passion and unique vision for the bodyfashion universe, the creative minds are expected to present their innovative collections enriched with strong identity and captivating storytelling. A competition among the 12 students’ collections will simultaneously take place during the fashion show, where 6 finalists will be selected by the Jury composed of international experts from the Intimate Apparel industry. The 6 winners will be able to showcase their full collections (6 garments per collection) during the ITC Fashion shows held on June, 13th at the HKCEC. Ticket registration

Call for entries | Future Retail Challenge (Deadline: 21 Jan)

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