Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers' Contest 2025 Crowns Emerging Talent, Showcasing Local Creativity on International Stage

The Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers' Contest 2025 (YDC) concluded with four major awards presented to emerging local designers, recognizing their innovative collections that combined boundary-pushing creativity with refined traditional craftsmanship. Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and sponsored by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), the contest served as the highlight of Asia's annual fashion event CENTRESTAGE.

Chung Ka-ching, Tiger emerged as Champion with her collection "Bior," receiving a HK$60,000 cash prize, an overseas study trip sponsored by Fang Brothers Knitting Ltd, and a HK$3,000 CASETiFY gift voucher. Her collection cleverly fused rugged street elements with high fashion silhouettes using bootleg design techniques, challenging traditional fashion narratives and prompting reflection on class and aesthetics. Ms. Chung described the YDC as "an important platform for local fashion designers to step onto the international stage" and "a crucial springboard for designers."

Lau Hei-nga received both the Excellence Award and Best Art Direction Award for her collection "In Pain," which explored the blurred boundaries between agony and ecstasy inspired by her lifelong battle with eczema. She received HK$40,000 in cash prizes, an overseas study trip sponsored by MINI HK, a five-day course at VOGUE College of Fashion in London, and additional gift vouchers totaling HK$33,000 in value. Ms. Lau noted that the contest's diverse audience allowed "many more people to discover my brand and my work."

The "My Favourite Collection" Award, determined by public voting, went to Yip Wai-lam, Mook for "Modern Animals," which fused human and animal characteristics to depict the workplace as an urban jungle. Mr. Yip received a HK$20,000 Lee Gardens Area e-Gift Certificate and a HK$1,000 CASETiFY gift voucher. He emphasized that the competition represents "a significant stage where fashion designers at different stages in their careers can discover themselves and grow to their full potential."

The distinguished judging panel included international fashion figures such as Charles Jeffrey, founder of UK label Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY, who praised the contest as "fantastic" for how "Hong Kong nurtures its young design talents, giving them a major platform to showcase their work to international audiences." The event also featured mentoring from industry experts including Victoria Tang-Owen and Kit Wan, who provided guidance to the 10 finalists throughout the competition.

For the ninth consecutive year, MINI Hong Kong served as a major sponsor, collaborating with alumni YDC designers and singer Marf@COLLAR to stage a fashion performance alongside the debut of the all-new 2025 MINI Convertible. The collaboration embodied MINI's next-generation design aesthetics and sustainable innovation vision. Additional information about the contest and participants is available at www.fashionally.com/en/YDC.

The YDC's importance extends beyond the awards ceremony, as it provides emerging designers with exposure to global industry professionals and opportunities for international recognition. Past contestants have become leading designers for fashion enterprises or established their own labels, demonstrating the contest's significant impact on Hong Kong's fashion industry development and its positioning as Asia's creative capital under the National 14th Five-Year Plan.