The Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers' Contest 2025 concluded with four major award winners recognized for their innovative collections that combined boundary-pushing creativity with refined traditional craftsmanship. Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and sponsored by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the contest featured 10 finalists presenting original collections under the theme "How 'Bout You," encouraging designers to express personal visions through fashion.
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 uses bootleg design techniques to fuse rugged street elements with high fashion silhouettes, subverting traditional fashion narratives and prompting reflection on class and aesthetics. 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 explores 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. Lau noted that the contest's diverse audience has 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 fuses human and animal characteristics to depict the workplace as an urban jungle. Yip received a HK$20,000 Lee Gardens Area e-Gift Certificate sponsored by Hysan Development and a 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."
International judge Charles Jeffrey, founder of UK fashion label Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY, expressed appreciation for how Hong Kong nurtures young design talents, giving them "a major platform to showcase their work to international audiences and industry figures." The judging panel included seasoned professionals from fashion and media, chaired by Katherine Fang, Chairlady of the HKTDC Garment Advisory Committee. Additional information about the contest and finalists is available at https://www.fashionally.com/en/YDC.
MINI Hong Kong collaborated with alumni YDC designers and singer Marf@COLLAR to stage a fashion performance featuring the new 2025 MINI Convertible, embodying next-generation design aesthetics and sustainable innovation. FASHIONALLY.COM, dedicated to nurturing local fashion talents, staged multiple shows during CENTRESTAGE with immersive installations allowing audiences to experience creative brand worlds. The contest serves as a prestigious platform that has successfully launched past contestants into leading design positions and independent labels, significantly contributing to Hong Kong's positioning as a creative capital and East-meets-West cultural exchange center.
