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SFT @Fashion Forward GBA 2022

SFT has been going places and was recently at Fashion Forward GBA 2022, organised by the Fashion Farm Foundation (FFF), from March to September 2022. The project comprised four major events, including: FASHION FORCE (Fashion Show) FASHION BOND (Roving Exhibition) FASHION BEAT (Music Night) FASHION DISCOVERY (Event Sharing) The events were held in five cities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) to showcase the creative strength of the new design force and pave the way for Hong Kong’s new design talents to make their mark in the GBA. Eleven SFT alumni, Chan cho-man (BA, 2021), Chole Chan (BA, 2021), Kunis Chen (BA, 2021), Debbie Choi (BA, 2021), Coco Lam (BA, 2021), Vincent Leung (MA, 2021), Phyllis Ma (BA, 2021), Kin Ng (BA, 2020), Judy Soo (MA, 2021), Bailey Tai (BA, 2021), and Ken Yeung (BA, 2021) were invited to joined the fashion show and exhibitions to showcase their creative designs in different cities including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Foshan. More than 20 design brands from the Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, as well as six prestigious design schools in the GBA also took part in this exciting undertaking. The project originated from the desire of mainly young creatives from fashion institutions in the GBA to build stronger connections with the fashion industry. The endeavour also gave the unprecedented opportunity to demonstrate innovation and creativity. The project concluded with a sharing session held at Laws Knitters, where our Associate Dean - Dr Joanne Yip and alumna Ms Judy Soo (MA, 2021) were invited to share their valuable event experience and insights into the entire project and the opportunities in the GBA. About the Fashion Farm Foundation The FFF was established in Hong Kong in 2012. The entity consists of a group of enthusiastic senior fashion entrepreneurs and educators. FFF is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting the development of Hong Kong's fashion industry. FFF held the "HKFG" to give designers the opportunity to showcase their brand collections at overseas fashion weeks. So far, they have covered Paris, New York, Tokyo and other important cities in the fashion industry. In recent years, they have been actively exploring opportunities in the GBA for Hong Kong fashion designers .

Dr Di Fan recipient of Honorable Mention for Reviewer Service Award 2022 (Journal of Operations Management)

Congratulations to Dr Di Fan, who was recently recognized by the Journal of Operations Management (JOM) for his excellent service as a reviewer and contribution to the journal. The selection is based on 2021 data for number of reviews, reviewer ratings, and timeliness. The Editors-in-Chief conducted a further evaluation of the reviewers based on quality, insight, and developmental tone. Dr Fan serves as a member of the editorial review board of JOM. He is also guest editing a special issue, titled “Global Operations and Supply Chain Management in the Context of Dynamic International Relations”, for the JOM. About the Journal of Operations Management The Journal of Operations Management is a flagship journal in the field of operations and supply chain management. It has been ranked top in major business journal lists, including the University of Texas-Dallas list (UTD list), Financial Times Research Rank list (FT-50 list), United Kingdom’s Association of Business School list (4* in ABS list), and Australian Business Deans Council (A* in the ABDC list).

Prof. Kan Chi-wai and Dr Chris Lo receive Outstanding Caring Award and Best CSV Award

We are pleased to congratulate Prof. Kan Chi-wai and Dr Chris Lo who recently received the “Outstanding Caring  Award” and “Best Create Shared Value Award” for their start-up company, Immune Materials Limited, at the Industry Cares Recognition Scheme 2022. This event was organised by The Committee on Promoting Corporate Social Responsibility (“CSR Committee”) under the Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI) on 27 September. The awards recognise the contributions and momentous efforts of Prof. Kan and Dr Lo in fulfilling and promoting social responsibility.  Prof. Kan and Dr Lo co-founded Immune Materials Limited in 2021.  With the support of PolyU, they have developed antiviral and antibacterial plastic products through 3D-printing and other traditional means of processing.  Their clients include hospitals, real estate developers, malls and governmental organisations. About Industry Cares Recognition Scheme 2022 The FHKI established the CSR Committee in 2011 to advocate for CSR and encourage their members to pursue CSR. The committee first organised the Industry Cares Recognition Scheme in 2013 to recognise companies that bring good benefits to society and support more companies to realise CSR. This year, the theme is ‘Walk through the pandemic with mutual inclusion and encouragement’ which attracted the participation of 112 companies under the Enterprise and SME Groups. As an accredited event in celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Establishment of the HKSAR, the Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Ho Kai-ming, JP attended the event as the guest of honour. There are two categories in the Industry Cares Scheme to recognise companies with outstanding CSR performance: the Enterprise and SME Groups. Six awards are granted for each category, including: The Grand Award Outstanding Caring Awards The Most Devoted Award The Most Innovative Award The Best CSV Award The Best Social Impact Award

Vicky Tsang and Lorraine Tam walk away with 3 awards @YDC 2022

On 11 Sept 2022, the creativity of one of our graduating students and an alumna bagged them with three awards at the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers’ Contest (YDC) 2022, one of the most prestigious events of its kind in the region. The champion is our BA graduating student, Tsang On-ting Vicky (BA, 2022). Vicky, a Design major, received a cash prize of HK$60,000 and an overseas study trip. Vicky is also the Overall Winner of the PolyU Fashion Show 2022. Her collection, “EXHAUSTING A CROWD”, used 3D prints to illustrate a surrealist aesthetic. Vicky said, “I am very surprised and happy to be named Champion! Even though there were a lot of setbacks during the entire design process, I came to the show today feeling calm and composed. Thank you to all the staff who provided their support over the past two months.” Another winner, Tam Lok-yi Lorraine (MA, 2020) won the Excellence Award and Best Visual Presentation Award. She received a total of HK$50,000 in cash from both awards and also an overseas study trip. Her design “I AM NOT INFECTED” is full of colours, especially the infrared sweatshirt and the “lung”-shaped crossbody bag. The “lung bag” also plays tribute to the popular mini bag trend. The judging panel for this year’s YDC was made up of an impressive roster of fashion experts and media pundits. The chief judge was Ms Katherine Fang, Chairlady of the HKTDC Garment Advisory Committee. The other judges on the panel were: Mr Hideaki Shikama (VIP judge), Designer of Children of the Discordance Ms Ahy Choi, Deputy Editorial Director of VOGUE Hong Kong Mr Jonathan Lee, APAC Wholesale Director of Ryodan Showroom Mr Jimmy Chan, Head of Account Management APAC of FARFETCH Ms Constance Lee, Director and Fashion Stylist of ConStyle Ltd Mr Joe Li, Creative Consultant of Circularity Ambassador (Photo source: Hong Kong Trade Development Council) Congratulations to Vicky and Lorraine! Recap of the show: 

Knitwear students wow visitors at ‘Knit Innovation Tech Show 2022’

The ‘Knit Innovation Tech Show 2022 - KNITogether’ organised by the Consinee Group and SHIMA SEIKI was held successfully on 23rd – 26th August. The event showcased the yarn trends for Fall Winter 2023-24 and featured fashion sustainability in knitwear. The organisation initiated the collaborative upcycling project with the School of Fashion and Textiles (SFT) and invited the knitwear students to design swatches and knitted outfits by reusing the knitted fabric samples that they provided. The creative works of the students were displayed in the show room at the Consinee Group, where visitors are mainly knitwear industrialists. The collaborative project first kicked off in early June. The Consinee Group visited SFT to present their latest fall/winter collection and the yarn trends, which featured 37 shades of botanical cashmere. Then the students visited the Consinee Group to select the materials for the upcycling design project. They were free to design and knit fabric swatches with the yarns provided by Consinee or convert the knitted fabrics into sustainable fashion products. The design and production process took about 2 months. The best five works by the students were selected by Consinee and showcased in the tech show, which demonstrated creative stitching with artistic embellishments, contemporary designs and combinations of vivid colours. Their works thoroughly embodied creativity and sustainability in knitwear at the same time. The selected students will receive yarn sponsorship from Consinee for their final year project in the coming year. About the Consinee Group Founded in 1999, the Consinee Group is the largest manufacturer and exporter of high-end cashmere yarn in China. They have an advanced green manufacturing industry chain base, which involves dyeing, spinning different kinds of yarns, producing high quality fabrics, import-export trading, digital logistics, intelligent manufacturing and an information platform. They are the only large-scale spinning company in China that completely uses new and imported automatic production lines. About SHIMA SEIKI More than 60 years after its establishment, SHIMA SEIKI is highly regarded as a top manufacturer of computerised flat knitting machines and design systems. The company contributes to the growth of the fashion industry through their widely-adopted creative technologies and innovations.

Prof Raymond Wong conferred Clarea Au Endowed Professorship in Energy

The Fourth Inauguration of Endowed Professorships cum the First Inauguration of Endowed Young Scholars was held on 31 Aug 2022 to pay tribute to distinguished scholars for their outstanding academic and research achievements, and demonstrate community support and recognition to PolyU for its research excellence. Prof. Raymond Wong, Interim Dean of SFT, was conferred the Clarea Au Endowed Professorship in Energy. Prof. Wong is devoted to the development of advanced materials for enhanced energy uses and tells us that “The Endowed Professorship will further strengthen my research in developing new molecular and nano materials for energy conversion (light/electrical and thermal/electrical)”. Prof. Wong is currently Chair Professor of Chemical Technology in the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology and Dean of the Faculty of Science at PolyU. Prof. Wong is very interested in the design and synthesis of new molecular functional materials, and metallopolymers with photo functional properties and energy functions. The scope of his work ranges from innovative research to application studies. At present, his team is working on sustainable energy sources and improving energy conversion technologies to meet future global energy demands and work towards a cleaner environment. Prof. Wong has published more than 700 research papers in leading international scientific journals and is among the world’s top 1% on the Institute for Scientific Information list of most-cited chemists and materials scientists. He was named a Thomson Reuters (now Clarivate Analytics) Highly Cited Researcher for seven consecutive years (2014–2020). Prof. Wong was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) in 2005 and a Founding Member of the Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences. He is the first Chinese scientist presented with the RSC Chemistry of the Transition Metals Award, and subsequently decorated with countless international and national awards. He also received the Croucher Senior Research Fellowship, Natural Science Award (First Class) of the Ministry of Education, FACS Distinguished Young Chemist Award, JPA Lectureship Award for Asian and Oceanian Photochemistry, Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation Prize for Scientific and Technological Innovation, State Natural Science Award (Second Class), and Research Grants Council (RGC) Senior Research Fellow Award, among others. Congratulations Prof. Wong.

PolyU announces the establishment of the School of Fashion and Textiles to nurture innovative, creative fashion talent and seize opportunities in the Greater Bay Area

On the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, PolyU announced the official upgrade of the Institute of Textiles and Clothing (ITC) and the establishment of the School of Fashion and Textiles (SFT), the third flagship and independent school within PolyU. The opening ceremony was held at the University’s Jockey Club Innovation Tower on 2 September. The School is an international institution integrating fashion and textile education, and innovative technology research. It will comprehensively enhance the competitive advantage of SFT graduates and Hong Kong’s fashion and textile industry while also aligning it with the market development of the Greater Bay Area. The School’s vision is to lead the fashion industry and create societal impact while offering solutions that leverage the research and innovative excellence of the School. The School is renowned for its world-class teaching and academic achievements. Its academics come from around the world, specialising and leading the way in a variety of academic and research areas including wearable and smart textiles, medical textiles and functional clothing, social fashion design, sustainable fashion, digital fashion marketing, and fashion supply chain management. According to a report by Stanford University in 2021, 13 ITC Scholars are ranked among the world’s top 2% scientists. Furthermore, according to CEOWORLD magazine, SFT was ranked the 3rd in Asia and 43rd in the world of the World’s Best Fashion Schools in 2022. The School has set and reached significant milestones in its pursuit of research excellence for societal impact. Last year, SFT was highly appraised in the Hong Kong University Grants Committee (UGC) “2020 Research Review Exercise”, and its research in the creative arts, performing arts and design was the best among the eight UGC-funded institutions. Officiating guests at the opening ceremony included Mr Sunny Tan, Member of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR – Textiles, and Garment constituency; Dr Lam Tai-fai, Chairman of the PolyU Council; Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, President of PolyU; and Ms Shirley Chan, Chairlady of the Advisory Committee of SFT. Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, President of PolyU, said, “It gives me great pleasure to inaugurate the School of Fashion and Textiles as the University’s third flagship and independent school. The new School will push the boundaries of educational and research excellence even further. SFT’s vision is to be a world-leading centre in fashion and textiles education, interdisciplinary research and collaboration, playing a pivotal role in developing Hong Kong into a world-renowned fashion hub.” Ms Shirley Chan, Chairlady of the SFT Advisory Committee, said, “The new School of Fashion and Textiles will have a new emphasis on education, research and industry partnerships. PolyU has been a leading institution for fashion and textile education and research, both in Asia and globally, since 1957. The transformation of ITC to the School of Fashion and Textiles reflects its continuing position as an educational leader for many years to come.” To meet the increasing demand for advanced technology in the fashion and textile industry, SFT has worked closely with the industrial sector both locally and internationally to introduce knowledge transfer and apply innovative and insightful technologies. Significant projects include the Nu-Torque™ singles ring-yarn technology, the personalised posture training system for medical, sports and healthcare applications, and intelligent 3D human-modelling technology. These have had ground-breaking and far-reaching influences within the industry. Facing the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as successfully developing new anti-virus 3D printing materials, anti-virus reusable PU30 masks, and protective clothing, SFT has maintained its close ties with the government, NGOs and disadvantaged groups. SFT has earmarked additional resources to foster academic and technological education and research. Its courses keep pace with the times in order to best meet market requirements for advanced technology, and new subjects including artificial intelligence, digital fashion design, e-commerce and sustainable development are all being added to the School’s programmes. The revamped undergraduate programme - BA (Hons) Scheme in Fashion, and the taught postgraduate programme - MA in Global Fashion Management, are vivid representations of a prestigious, high quality, full spectrum fashion education with the trilogy of design, business and technology to accommodate local, regional and international demand for fashion talent.

Natalie Jim and Hana Wong, winners of 'Move to Natural' Challenge @Redress Design Award 2022

Congratulations to Natalie Jim (BA Year 3, fashion design) and Hana Wong (BA Year 2, fashion retail and marketing), who recently won championship with their teammates and finalists Livia Aguiar de Castro and Federico Badini Confalonieri in the “Move to Natural” challenge of the Redress Design Award 2022 on 2 Sept, organised by Redress and supported by Icebreaker® of VF Corporation. As part of the Redress Design Award 2022, eight selected SFT students teamed up with 9 finalists from Hong Kong, Italy, Spain, Chile, Brazil, India and Sri Lanka to take part virtually in the “Move to Natural” challenge. The participants were required to design a solution for a 100% natural fibre product by reusing textile waste from the supply chain of Icebreaker®.  Mr Sean Cady, who is Vice President, Global Sustainability and Responsible Sourcing of VF Corporation, served as the judge for this challenge. About the Redress Design Award The Redress Design Award is the world’s largest sustainable fashion design competition. Organised by Redress, the programme works to educate emerging fashion designers around the world about sustainable design theories and techniques in order to drive growth towards a circular fashion system. By putting sustainable design talent in the global spotlight, the Redress Design Award 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. About US fashion group VF Corporation VF Corporation, a global leader in branded lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories, together with its Icebreaker® brand, collaborated with environmental charity Redress for the Redress Design Award 2022. Through the collaboration, VF and the Icebreaker® brand used their experience and expertise in sustainability to support the education and professional development of the industry’s next generation of sustainable fashion designers and promote efforts toward a circular economy.

STANZAE SW I exhibition in Italy

The STANZAE SW I exhibition was held in Italy from 30 July to 12 August 2022 in the first ART & POETRY open-air museum – the APPA Museum, in Palermo, Italy. Dr Tsai Chun Huang, Research Assistant Professor of SFT exhibited two of his artworks at STANZAE SW I, together with more than twenty other selected American and European artists. One of the exhibits of Dr Huang is a Pat ka Chiòng hand tufted mask of the Winter Guardian. In response to the theme of ‘20 Santi’ (20 Saints), Dr Huang picked the Winter Guardian from the ‘Pat ka Chiòng (八家將)’ found in Taiwanese folklore, who maintain order and capture evil spirits during religious troupes. The 8 guardians are gods of the underworld. Dr Huang presented the Winter Guardian based on the image of birds. Dr Luca Lo Sicco, Teaching Fellow of SFT, is the curator of the exhibition and said, “We want to encourage and increase the sense of belonging to this city, both of the people of Palermo and of foreigners who come and love it."

SFT Orientation Day 2022

Prof. Raymond Wong, Interim Dean of SFT, welcomed nearly 400 first year BA, BSc and MA programme students at the SFT Orientation Day on 25 August 2022. The programme has resumed back to in-person after two years of managing the COVID-19 pandemic and was held in the Jockey Club Auditorium of PolyU. The school orientation allows first year students to explore the different options for involvement on campus. The students also had the opportunity to meet their programme leaders and academic advisors, and familiarise themselves with their study programme and the services offered by SFT and PolyU. During the orientation, Dr Joe Au, Associate Dean of SFT, first provided an overview of SFT and then an introduction of the state-of-the-art facilities at SFT. The first-year students can enjoy a well-developed learning environment with over 30 laboratories, workshops and studios. Dr Joanne Yip, Associate Dean of SFT, then shared the potential learning experiences and opportunities at SFT, including a wide range of internship programmes, international competitions and an exchange programme. SFT warmly welcomes all first-year students who are commencing their studies in AY 2022-2023!