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Techstyle for Social Good International Competition 2019 winners revealed!

ITC organised, in collaboration with The Mills Fabrica, the Grand Finals of “Techstyle for Social Good International Competition 2019” in late June to promote a new design approach - techstyle (i.e. intersection of technology and style) - in Hong Kong. One of the winners was a graduating student of PolyU whose design targets to help enhance the quality of life of amputees. Sponsored by Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) of the HKSAR Government, the Competition held its Grand Finals on 28 June 2019 at The Mills Fabrica. With a target to creating awareness and sparking ideas for better techstyle designs, the Competition attracted entries from students of leading institutions around the world including Central Saint Martins of the University of the Arts London, the Royal College of Arts, the Parsons School of Design, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Tsinghua University and PolyU, etc. Among the 12 finalists, Miss Wendy LAW, a graduating student from the School of Design of PolyU, won the Hong Kong Best Design Award in the Competition with her project titled “Aesthesis - The partial hand accessories for amputees”. This finger amputee prosthetic is a 3D-printed decorative device made of both soft and hard materials. Compared with the existing products, it is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also lighter in weight and more breathable. It can help cover up the lost part while extending the residual finger to provide more finger functions, such as holding a mobile phone, to enhance users’ quality of lives. Ms Carine Pin (first from left) and Mr Alexander Chan (first from right) presented the trophies and certificates to Wendy (second from left), Naila (middle), Christine and Florian.        Prof. FAN Jin-tu, Head and Chair Professor of ITC said, “I am proud that ITC organised such a meaningful event to nurture young designers locally and internationally by offering them a platform to exchange ideas through the Techstyle for Social Good International Competition. They and their future designs will certainly bring about positive impacts to the global community.” The design journey has just begun for the award winners as they will have extensive post-competition support in terms of mentorships, residencies, as well as free work spaces and lab memberships at The Mills Fabrica. A series of networking opportunities will also be offered to the winners to exchange ideas with industry experts. Challenging questions from the panel of judges...........   “All innovations take time, and no journey of innovation is ever singular. We hope this competition marks the start of a sustainable and collaborative journey of innovation for young talents.” said Vanessa Cheung, Founder of The Mills and Managing Director of Nan Fung Group. The judging panel, formed by ten distinguished industry experts and world-renowned design academics, was impressed by the participants’ creative ideas and their sensitivity to social issues. The judges encouraged the finalists to continue exploring innovative techstyle designs for creating social impacts. Shortlisted design entries of the International Competition are being showcased at The Mills till 26 August 2019, along with other design exhibits from leading academics and cutting-edge designers, who are also the panel of speakers of the “Designing Future Techstyle” International Symposium. The exhibition will be staged at PolyU’s Fashion Gallery from 27 August 2019 to 22 September 2019. The public is welcome to visit the exhibition for free.

ITC holds Hong Kong’s first event on design-led technology for social good

ITC held today the “Designing Future Techstyle” International Symposium and “Techstyle for Social Good International Competition 2019” at The Mills. Endorsed by two world design academies, Royal College of Art in London and Tsinghua University in Beijing, the Symposium was packed with world-renowned speakers from cutting-edge international design brands, world-class luxury group and sportswear brands. This was the first-of-its-kind event to promote a new design approach - techstyle (i.e. intersection of technology and style) in Hong Kong. In collaboration with The Mills Fabrica, the innovation arm of The Mills, and with the sponsorship of the Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) of the Government of the HKSAR, the Symposium aims at creating awareness of new design approaches to techstyle, and highlighting the industry’s needs to work collaboratively across disciplines as technology and consumer demands evolve. The vision of the collaboration is to discover distinguished designs that integrate technology and modern style and explore “techstyle for social good” projects. Through this partnership, the hosting organisations also want to promote sustainability in techstyle industry, and to support the young entrepreneurs who aspire to develop in this area. The opening ceremony was officiated by the Honourable Felix CHUNG, Legislative Council Member; Ms Jersey YUEN, Assistant Head, CreateHK; Dr Miranda LOU, Executive Vice President of PolyU; Ms Vanessa CHEUNG, Founder of The Mills and Managing Director of Nan Fung Development Ltd; and Prof. FAN Jin-tu, Head and Chair Professor of ITC. Honourable Felix CHUNG, Legislative Council Member Addressing at the ceremony, Dr Miranda LOU said, “Hong Kong, as a creative capital, strives to play a leading role in encouraging design-led technological innovations for social good. Fashion now concerns more than addressing apparels and wearables, but fostering change to fashion products and systems towards sustainability and a higher sense of social responsibility. Recognised as one of the region’s best schools in textiles and clothing, PolyU will continue to be the hub for nurturing talents and cutting edge research in fashion, textiles and design in Hong Kong, and in the region.”   On behalf of CreateHK, Ms Jersey YUEN expressed her gratitude to the ITC for successfully organising the event to promote design-led technology for social good.   Prof. FAN Jin-tu, Head and Chair Professor of ITC. Featuring keynote talks and a discussion forum with international renowned academics and experts in techstyle, the Symposium provided local creative communities, design students and the general public a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and get international, interdisciplinary design perspectives particularly for creating social impact. Prof. Naren BARFIELD, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Provost of Royal College of Art, stressed in his presentation the significant contribution of techstyle and talked about useful innovations that are impacting our lives. Ms Christianna WINCEK, Flyknit Innovation Material Design Director of Nike, shared her insights in the process of designing of sports shoes. Ms Francesca ROSELLA, Co-founder of CuteCircuit, discussed the synergy of design and technology, and the new dimensions for human experience. Well known for her viral colour-changing hair dye, Ms Lauren BOWKER, Founder of THEUNSEEN, presented newly-created, self-activating beauty products that change colour in response to heat, wind and UV light, and discussed their implications on natural beauty. The shortlisted design entries of the International Competition were showcased at the Symposium. The exhibition continues at The Mills from today till 26 August along with other design exhibits from leading academics and cutting edge designers, who are also the panel of speakers of the "Designing Future Techstyle International Symposium.   The Project also included the “Techstyle for Social Good International Competition 2019” which awarded the winners with cash prizes, residencies at The Mills Fabrica and opportunities to further explore the potential of their projects. Prototypes of shortlisted participants were showcased at the venue to demonstrate their design-led technology innovations for social good.

PolyU Knitwear Exhibition 2019

This exhibition showcases the knitwear design collections of final-year students at the Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Each collection reflects not only the uniqueness of the knitwear designs but also the students’ passion, persistence and attitude towards art and fashion. View exhibition brochure here.

ITC fashion design graduates stage Fashion Show 2019

Twenty-two graduating students from ITC showcased their design flair and talent at the PolyU Fashion Show 2019 held on 13 June at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. Over 2,000 industrialists, fashion designers and fashion bloggers were attracted to the Show. Graduating students from the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Scheme in Fashion and Textiles each presented a series of six pieces of outfit with varied themes of their own choice to compete for seven awards. The Overall Grand Award eventually went to Venus TSANG with her creative design themed Toumei Ningen. Ms Vivienne TAM (third from left), renowned Fashion Designer and Founder of VIVIENNE TAM, also attends the show and presented the Overall Grand Award to the winner, Venus TSANG (fifth from right).   The judging panel was comprised of well-known fashion designers and seasoned practitioners of the fashion industry. They included: Ms Janet CHEUNG, Vice-Chairman, Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association; Ms Lu Lu CHEUNG, Creative Director, Rolls Group Limited; Mr Anthony KEUNG, President and C.E.O., Fenix Group Holdings Ltd; Mr Walter MA, Director, Walter Ma & Co. Ltd; and Mr Peter WONG, Editorial Director, VOGUE Hong Kong. Professor WONG Wing-tak, Dean of PolyU’s Faculty of Applied Science and Textiles (third from right) and the panel of judges (from left): Ms Janet CHEUNG, Ms Lu Lu CHEUNG, Mr Peter WONG; and (from right) Mr Walter MA and Mr Anthony KEUNG.     The Show was officiated by Prof. WONG Wing-tak, Dean of Faculty of Applied Science and Textiles, and Prof. FAN Jin-tu, Chair Professor and Head of ITC. Prof. WONG said, “I would like to thank our partners in the industry for their long-standing support and generous sponsorship. With their support, we are delighted to see many brilliant masterpieces today. I have no doubt that our young talents will shine on the international stage very soon.” To make the Fashion Show more colourful, ITC in collaboration with the Hong Kong Sports Institute invited local elite athletes from the Institute to join the catwalk and demonstrate their all-rounded talent and charisma beyond sports grounds. The seven elite athletes made their catwalk debut were Katrina WAN (Billiard Sports), Vincent YEUNG (Badminton), Leo LEE (Badminton), Angel WONG (Gymnastics), LAU Chi Ming (Karatedo), Hugo DARKE CHRISTOPHER (Rugby), and Juanita MOK (Wushu).

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

Competition Brief Registration