Hong Kong Design Institute Debuts Dedicated Denim Studio
Denim has long been a key instruction area at the Hong Kong Design Institute, with events, educational projects and coursework centered on jeans.
In the latest evolution of its indigo initiatives, the institute has launched a Denim Studio, a dedicated space and platform to connect students with the denim industry. Here, those currently in the fashion program can learn about the latest in denim innovation, and alumni can continue their own education. The Department of Fashion and Image Design (FID) will also align with the industry on events and initiatives such as the Hong Kong Denim Festival, internship opportunities, scholarships and master’s seminars.
Carved in Blue spoke with Dr. Lam Yee-nee Elita, vice principal of Hong Kong Design Institute, about the vision for the Denim Studio, including the education programs, technology available and industry collaborations.
Carved in Blue: What was the concept behind the Denim Studio? What need did you see for this kind of platform?
Elita: The Denim Studio serves as a platform for promoting cross-cultural fashion and image design learning, blending traditional denim craftsmanship with the latest technological and cultural developments. It also facilitates collaboration with the industry, providing a space to enhance the denim knowledge and production skills of students, guests and visitors.
Carved in Blue: HKDI has established a wide range of denim education initiatives. How does this Studio build on these efforts and take them to the next level?
Elita: A series of learning, teaching activities and collaborations will be held at the Denim Studio to engage students, academic designers and industry practitioners. These activities include denim workshops, master sharing sessions and lectures. HKDI students, participants and visitors can find inspiration and develop an interest in denim through these initiatives at the Studio. The Studio aims to nurture a creative, skill-based workforce within the fashion industry, similar to the Denim 6 project.
Carved in Blue: Could you describe the resources available in the physical Denim Studio space on campus?
Elita: The Denim Studio includes a broad array of advanced denim manufacturing machines. These facilities support not only learning and teaching activities, but also external collaborative projects, master workshops and lectures. The equipment area is equipped with machinery specifically designed for denim sewing and a dry finishing station. Additionally, a dry finishing station and a denim co-work space are available to enhance innovation in denim design and production.
Carved in Blue: What curriculum will be created around the Studio?
Elita: In November 2023, a masterclass for denim jeans was held by Mohsin Sajid. Additionally, a Creative Design Thinking Guest Sharing talk about Lee Jeans took place. The planned curriculum at the Denim Studio includes the Global Denim Talent Programme, a series of denim master talks, local and international denim workshops, denim-related modules and more in the future.
Carved in Blue: Why did you decide to include a post-graduation learning hub as part of the Studio?
Elita: Hong Kong has been a key denim exporter since the 1970s and remained a leading exporter of denim worldwide in 2021, ranking fifth with an annual export value of $204 million (USD). The demand for manpower with specialized skills in denim is high. In response to the changing demands of the industry, some FID programs have refined their curriculum and projects to keep abreast of the latest developments. The Studio serves as a teaching and learning hub to enhance students’ knowledge and practice of traditional denim production, as well as denim innovation and development.
Carved in Blue: How will the Denim Studio forge collaborations between students and the industry? What is the importance of building this bridge?
Elita: The success of the Hong Kong Denim Festival hosted by FID in 2019, 2021 and 2023 has drawn attention to the need of training denim talents to suit local and regional industry demands. There were solid collaborations between FID and the denim industry such as student internships, scholarships, competitions, students exchange programs and short course development, proofing the need from the industry as well as learning interests of students. Therefore, it is developed a Denim Studio at HKDI as a platform to facilities learning and teaching, knowledge exchange and collaboration with students and industry.
