Queenie Cheng shines at 13th Santoni Pioneer Programme

Queenie Cheng, a fresh graduate of the BA (Hons) Scheme in Fashion and Textiles who majored in Knitwear Design and Technology, presented a marvellous collection of bags at the final show of the 13^th Santoni Pioneer Programme on 8 July 2021 in Shanghai. Queenie received many insightful feedback and comments from industry members.

Organised by Santoni (Shanghai) Knitting Machinery Co., Ltd, the programme featured designs that focus on well-being, sustainable performance as well as fashion technology. 

Queenie’s collection, titled "GEOmetry", was inspired by the geometry of a natural marvel - the double-helical structure of DNA. Her collection aims to provide a sustainable option to consumers and inspire new possibilities with circular knitting. The bags are zero-waste and seamless, thanks to the use of seamless circular knitting technology and an origami structure. The fold-lines of the bags are precisely designed and parameters are programmed into Santoni knitting. Then the fabric is knitted onto a fabric tube. Every single inch of the fabric is used – the bag is entirely folded out of the knitted tube of fabric so that an extra piece of fabric does not need to be sewn on for the bottom.Applying the concepts of origami provides a new breakthrough in circular knitting. Queenie’s design thoroughly reflects the seamless characteristics of the Santoni circular knitting machine.

About the Santoni Pioneer Programme

The Santoni Pioneer Programme is an opportunity for talented designers to work with  advanced Santoni technology to realise their designs. Since 2015, this fully sponsored programme has been offered as a biannual eight week event that features seamless and circular knitting, and thus a platform for highly motivated designers to make connections with industry experts along the supply chain.  To date, there are more than 50 designers who have participated in this programme and they are well respected throughout the textile industry.