News

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.

MA in Fashion and Textiles alumni visit alma mater for first time since pandemic

A group of esteemed alumni of the 13th MA in Fashion and Textiles programme who specialised in Fashion Merchandising, recently embarked on a long-awaited visit to SFT and PolyU campus along with their families. This reunion was made possible with the support of the PolyU Base located in Shenzhen. The congregation and the tour to the state-of-the-art facilities of SFT were successfully organised despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The School warmly welcomed the MA alumni back after more than three years since the pandemic started. Their visit serves as a testament to their enduring support for their alma mater. Expressing profound gratitude, the School hopes that its esteemed alumni will continue to maintain a close relationship with the School and support its ongoing development. As SFT continues to evolve and innovate in the dynamic world of fashion and textiles, the support and involvement of its alumni remain crucial. The School looks forward to their continued engagement, as they play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the industry and leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come.

SFT collaborates with UNIQLO to unveil consumer attitudes towards sustainable fashion

A collaborative study by Japanese global fashion giant UNIQLO and SFT has revealed consumer attitudes towards sustainable fashion in Hong Kong and Macao. The annual consumer perceptions survey gathered data from 1,500 consumers across various demographics in these regions, investigating their understanding of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), purchasing preferences for sustainable products, and prevalent consumption patterns. Key insights reveal growing awareness and important gaps According to the findings, awareness about the SDGs has surged, with 71% of consumers acknowledging them — a 15% increase compared to last year's results. This uptick demonstrates the impact of social and corporate initiatives aimed at promoting SDGs. Consumers earning above HK$28,800 per month showed higher awareness levels. Of all the SDGs, respondents prioritised "Responsible Consumption and Production," rising from 10th to 5th place in just one year. Furthermore, 60% to 70% of consumers regarded corporate sustainability as highly important. The top considerations were linked to environmental concerns such as production-related pollution, use of eco-friendly materials, and recyclable raw materials, reflecting a post-pandemic shift towards more environmentally conscious living. The gap between intention and action However, the survey exposed a gap between the consumers' sustainable purchasing intentions and their actual behaviour. While over 60% were willing to buy and recommend sustainable fashion products, fewer than 60% had bought such products in the past six months. Notably, about 25% had not purchased any sustainable fashion product within the past year. The survey also revealed a proportional relationship between the quantity of sustainable information consumers received and their purchasing behaviour. Channels like eco-friendly packaging and store displays emerged as key information disseminators. Product quality trumped price considerations Contrary to popular belief, the study found that two-thirds of consumers ranked the product higher than price in their sustainable purchasing decisions. Reasons for not purchasing sustainable products revolved around product quality, durability, and material, casting a shadow over the common myth that price is a deterrent for sustainable purchases. "To convert consumer interest into actual purchases, brands need to enhance the quality and appeal of their sustainable products," opined Dr Di Fan, Assistant Professor, the deputy programme leader of MA in Sustainable Fashion and Innovation, and a member of ESG Research & Sustainable Fashion Hub at SFT. He suggested that to bridge the intention-behaviour gap, brands must enhance sustainable information transmission in their products, promotions, and sales strategies. Trust in Sustainability Information Sources Interestingly, universities and academic research institutions were deemed the most trusted sources for sustainable product information, followed by government agencies and environmental organisations. Only about 10% trusted the information released by companies. Dr Magnum Lam, Assistant Professor and the deputy programme leader of MA in Global Fashion Management, underscored the importance of clear, transparent information in bridging the gap between consumers' sustainable purchasing intentions and behaviours. He emphasised the need for industry and consumers to work together to raise public awareness about sustainability. Dedicated to fostering responsible research and sustainable fashion, SFT will continue to use education and research as catalysts for change. Through nurturing a new generation of sustainability-conscious professionals, SFT seeks to bridge the gap between intention and action in sustainable fashion consumption, contributing to a more sustainable future for the fashion industry.   Related news and media coverage: Survey on consumer perceptions of sustainable fashion in Hong Kong and Macau UNIQLO與理大調查:港澳消費者SDGs認知度提升 (ETNet) 【可持續調查】 67%港澳消費者一年只買三件或以下可持續時尚產品 不購買主因原來係呢樣 (HKET) 70%人重視企業可持續發展 (Oriental Daily) 研究調查｜理大、UNIQLO：少於6成港人購買可持續時裝｜全因3個考慮 (HK Business Times)

Fashion The Future Design Competition

To promote sustainable fashion and green life concepts to the public, SFT partnered with the Miramar Group to organise the first “Fashion The Future Design Competition” in early 2023. The Miramar Group launched the “Mi Go Green” platform to celebrate its 65th anniversary, in their efforts to advocate for sustainable development and environmental protection to the public and industry. Part of their campaign is to work with SFT along with an environmental protection organisation, Redress, and the Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design (AiDLab) to support the Fashion The Future Design Competition throughout the different stages, including fashion design, material sourcing, and garment production. The 10 finalists upcycled the recycled clothing or textile waste provided by Redress. Then they used the new Artificial Intelligence Based Fashion Design Assistant (AiDA) that AiDLab developed to quickly conceptualise their collection. This platform helps to reduce the required sample production time and consumption of resources that go into creating new garments, including fabric, accessories, sewing machines, electricity, etc. The competition finale was held on 15 July at Mira Place where three winners were acknowledged for their creativity, originality and workmanship, including “Blessed Bonds” by Lam Hei Man, “Pantropica” by Ng Pui Pui, and “Mazycle” by Lee Yee Man. Each winner received a cash prize of $10,000. The 20 outfits created by the 10 finalists were displayed from 15 to 31 July in the atrium of Mira Place. Lam Hei Man is a Year 3 design student. The theme of her collection, “Blessed Bonds”, is based on traditional Chinese quilts. She explained that her two designs symbolically impart good luck: "By sewing these donated clothes together, I hope to create a blessed quilt that will bring good luck to children and families while promoting sustainable design concepts”. Ng Pui Pui is also a Year 3 design student whose collection “Pantropica” was inspired by ferns that open their leaves during the day and close them at night. Her energetic and functional sportswear collection highlights the vitality and sustainability of plants. After receiving her award, she said: “I am very grateful to the judges who appreciate my work.” She aspires to work in the knitting industry in the future. Prof Erin Cho, School Dean, also shared her thoughts about the competition: “I hope this competition can cultivate participants' creativity in sustainable fashion and at the same time, attract more young designers who can put this concept into practice and in their future designs. I look forward to similar collaborations in the future to reshape society's definition of ‘fashion’”.