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HKDI graduates made their mark in fashion, knitwear, fabric and colour design competitions, winning prizes in the 2018 Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers’ Contest , the SDC International Design Competition (Hong Kong Region) and the 8th Hong Kong Young Knitwear Designers’ Contest.

Some of the prizewinning students will be joining internships at studios of international renowned designer houses. A few prizewinning works impressed the fashion industry so much that the design will be produced in a limited edition for the mass market.

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Young Fashion Designers’ Contest spans forty-plus years of history and many participants have become principal designers of fashion design houses or create their own brands. Gathering young local designers, a total of 16 finalists were shortlisted this year.

Finally, HKDI graduate of the Higher Diploma in Fashion Design Leo CHAN won the Overall Championship. Titled “Wandervögel”, Leo’s work aims to revive the spirt of the 19 th century German movement “Wandervögel” where young people sought freedom and adventure. Both chic and functional, Leo’s works brings out the message that “venturing out into nature can also be chic.” Referencing boy scouts’ uniform, Leo’s design features waterproof nylon, warm-keeping military cotton quilts and wool, and detachable suspenders and belts. Three major colour schemes black, green and khaki represents the unknown, nature and ruins. A special feature of the collection is that the coat can turn into a tent. Details like embossing and embroidery marry history with contemporaneity. Apart from being awarded a cash prize of HK$35,000, Leo will join a one-month internship at the studio of Martine ROSE, a famous British fashion brand in menswear to uncover the many possibilities in fashion design for him.

Another HKDI graduate of the Higher Diploma in Fashion Design YEUNG Shun-leong won the New Talent Award in the same competition. Fascinated by the German philosopher Nietzsche’s concept of “will to power”, Shun-leong learns boxing and designs a collection of combat gear with elements of martial arts. His collection includes a thick jacket, a pair of boxing gloves, a belt and a robe, taking reference from judo, fencing and boxing. Stone wash, Bingata and waxing are used to give the fabric a rich texture, signifying the idea that an athlete may go through ups and downs. Shun-leong was awarded a cash prize of HK10,000 and will receive training from the fashion label JOYCE to produce a collection on limited edition to be sold at the stores of JOYCE.

In the area of colour use in fashion, HKDI graduates of Higher Diplomas in Fashion Design and Fashion Design Menswear Peony LI and Johnson CHONG won the First and Second Runner-up prizes in the SDC International Design Competition (Hong Kong Region) respectively. The coming competition in London will gather fashion and textile design undergraduates from places like Australia, India, New Zealand, and South Africa. This year’s theme is “Colour Communication”, calling on competitors to explore the use of colour on fashion and textile products.

In another knitwear competition, HKDI graduates of the Higher Diploma in Fashion Design also shone through, with Carmen LI and Nick KWOK winning the First Runner-up prize and Shima Seiki Award in the 8th Hong Kong Young Knitwear Designers’ Contest. Titled “The Blue Void”, Carmen’s blue collection is inspired by the marine world to promote environmental protection and conservation. She loves using new fabric and her works combine woven and knitted denim, knitwear quilts, and wool to enhance the texture. A lot of effort has been made on the blue dyeing processes by choosing the appropriate wool material for tie-dyeing and then washing and varnishing to create the unique colour of the beautiful ocean. Carmen received a cash prize of HK$10,000. She is now a student of the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Scheme in Fashion and Textiles at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, heading the road of knitwear fashion.

The winning piece of Nick KWOK is titled “Hiding” with colours black, white and grey to match with patterns mirroring the wrinkles of human face. The model will look like wearing a mask after putting on the garment, showing that urbanites always hide their dark sides and emotions. Nick will go for a one-week trip to Wakayama, Japan sponsored by the computerised knitting machine manufacturer Shima Seiki.

Organised by Knitwear Innovation and Design Society, The Knitwear Symphony 2018 and The 8th Hong Kong Young Knitwear Designers Contest aim at promoting knitwear and nurturing a new generation of knitwear designers.