The Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers’ Contest 2026 (YDC) concluded on 5 September with a spectacular grand finale at CENTRESTAGE, Asia's premier annual fashion event. Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), the contest showcased the work of ten emerging local designers, who drew from personal experiences and inner emotions to create collections that told unique stories through distinctive tailoring and materials.
The event, which served as a highlight of the closing evening of CENTRESTAGE, featured a high-standard runway show that perfectly echoed this year's promotional theme, "YOU." Celebrities and artists including Will Or, elka@Lolly Talk, Kaki Sham, Crystal Cheung, Ah Mui, Rachel Leung, Yatho Wong, Dylan So, Karl Ting, William Chang, and Irving Cheung attended, adding glamour and excitement to the competition.
After careful deliberation, a panel of professional judges selected the winners. Tsui Ao Lung emerged as Champion with his outstanding design, "The Tide," and received a cash prize of HK$60,000 and an overseas internship sponsored by Fang Brothers Knitting Ltd. Cheang King Tung, Kenneth received the Excellence Award and Best Art Direction Award for his collection "NOSTALGIA," securing a cash prize of HK$40,000 and an overseas study trip sponsored by MINI HK for the former, and a cash prize of HK$10,000, a five-day course at VOGUE College of Fashion in London, and an overseas study trip sponsored by VOGUE Hong Kong for the latter. The "My Favourite Collection" Award, decided by public voting, went to Lam Chun Ni, Jenny for "The Old Si-Fut and New Chai," who received a HK$30,000 Lee Gardens Area e-Gift Certificate sponsored by Hysan.
Tsui Ao Lung's winning collection, "The Tide," took inspiration from a classic Cantopop hit, "Kuang Chao." Through the four stages of a woman's life, the collection depicted the ebbs, flows, and turbulence of human existence driven by emotion and destiny. Reflecting on the demanding creative process, Mr. Tsui shared, "My immediate feeling upon winning is sheer exhaustion, as this collection required extensive handcrafting. I deliberately chose artisanal materials that are a stark departure from mainstream fabrics." He added, "Participating in YDC has helped me truly discover my future direction and the design aesthetic I am committed to pursuing."
Cheang King Tung's "NOSTALGIA" drew inspiration from the 1983 film Nostalghia, exploring homeland, distance, and yearning. The collection translated his memories of Hong Kong into clothing, incorporating hand-dyeing, sewing, and experimental material treatments to showcase traces of time. "Participating in this year's YDC has been incredibly rewarding," Mr. Cheang said. "I am very happy that my non-mainstream work has gained mainstream recognition on the YDC platform."
Lam Chun Ni's "The Old Si-Fut and New Chai" was set against Hong Kong's workplace culture, exploring the dynamic between veteran "old-timers" and "rookies." She translated workplace dictums into design elements, capturing a state of mind between following rules and rebelling. "Joining YDC has given me many opportunities for growth and exposure," Ms. Lam said.
The judging panel, chaired by Katherine Fang, included international figures such as Rok Hwang, founder and Creative Director of ROKH, who praised the show for its "brilliant mixture of Hong Kong culture and creative energy." The event also featured mentoring by Alex Po and Derek Cheng of PONDER.ER.
The YDC 2026 was part of the third Hong Kong Fashion Fest, held from 1 to 14 September 2026, which aims to develop Hong Kong into a fashion design hub in Asia. The festival consolidates various fashion design events and introduces innovative elements to boost Hong Kong's position as a destination for cultural and creative events.
For more details on the winners and collections, visit the photo gallery and press materials.
