The Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers’ Contest 2026 (YDC) concluded in spectacular fashion on 5 September, as part of CENTRESTAGE, Asia's premier annual fashion event and a flagship of the third Hong Kong Fashion Fest. Ten emerging local designers showcased collections that drew from personal experiences and inner emotions, telling unique stories through distinctive tailoring and materials. The designs echoed the year's promotional theme, "YOU.", and were presented in a high-standard runway show that captivated a celebrity-studded audience, including Will Or, elka@Lolly Talk, and Kaki Sham.
After careful deliberation, the judging panel selected four major award winners. Tsui Ao Lung emerged as Champion with his collection "The Tide," which takes inspiration from a classic Cantopop hit, depicting the ebbs and flows of human existence through the four stages of a woman's life. Tsui received a cash prize of HK$60,000 and an overseas internship sponsored by Fang Brothers Knitting Ltd. Reflecting on his win, 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. I believe this award will bring more visibility, but more importantly, participating in YDC has helped me truly discover my future direction."
Cheang King Tung, Kenneth received both the Excellence Award and the Best Art Direction Award for his collection "NOSTALGIA," inspired by the 1983 film Nostalghia. The work explores homeland, distance, and yearning, translating memories of Hong Kong into clothing through hand-dyeing and experimental material treatments. Cheang was awarded HK$40,000 for the Excellence Award, sponsored by MINI HK, and an additional HK$10,000 plus a five-day course at VOGUE College of Fashion in London for the Best Art Direction Award, sponsored by VOGUE Hong Kong. Cheang noted, "Participating in this year's YDC has been incredibly rewarding. I am very happy that my non-mainstream work has gained mainstream recognition, which further affirms my future creative direction."
The "My Favourite Collection" Award, decided by public voting, went to Lam Chun Ni, Jenny for "The Old Si-Fut and New Chai," a collection set against Hong Kong's workplace culture, exploring the dynamic between veteran workers and rookies. Lam received a HK$30,000 Lee Gardens Area e-Gift Certificate sponsored by Hysan. Lam expressed gratitude, saying, "Joining YDC has given me many opportunities for growth and exposure, and I am very glad that my work can be seen by more people. Thank you all for supporting this theme."
The judging panel, chaired by Katherine Fang, included renowned figures such as Rok Hwang, founder and Creative Director of ROKH, who served as VIP Judge. Hwang praised the contestants, stating, "YDC is an outstanding stage for young fashion designers. The show was energetic and inspiring, showcasing a brilliant mixture of Hong Kong culture and creative energy." The panel also included Olya Kuryshchuk, Founder & Editor-in-Chief of 1 Granary, who reviewed entries remotely, and other industry leaders from Vogue Hong Kong, I.T, and PURPLE.
This year's finalists were mentored by Alex Po and Derek Cheng, founders of PONDER.ER, who provided valuable guidance throughout the competition. MINI HK, lead sponsor for ten consecutive years, celebrated the milestone by commissioning nine YDC alumni winners to design car-wrap graphics for the all-electric MINI Cooper and Aceman, with the tenth design created by the YDC 2026 MINI-sponsored award winner. This collaboration embodies the theme "Express Yourself" and encourages individuality.
The success of YDC 2026 underscores Hong Kong's vibrant fashion scene and its role as a cultural hub. For more information about the designers and collections, visit the official YDC website at fashionally.com.
