Global Denim Talent Programme Helps Hong Kong Design Talent Launch Sustainable Brands
The denim industry came together to help nurture local Hong Kong designers and encourage entrepreneurship through a six-month program that brought the supply chain and young talents together.
Launched in December 2023, the Global Denim Talent Programme was initiated by the Hong Kong Design Institute-organized Hong Kong Denim Festival, with support from sponsors including Lenzing, Advance Denim, Jeanologia, MGF Sourcing, Hong Kong Newtimes Development Ltd, Crystal International Group Limited, The Lycra Company and Washi House.
The program was open to applicants who are Hong Kong residents aged 35 or under with a degree in fashion design or another relevant area of study. Following an open call, eight participants—including emerging brand owners and design competition winners—were chosen and announced in February. Getting these talents acclimated with the industry, the sponsors and other players hosted training sessions and mentorship to help them create denim collections that are commercially viable. They visited factories to see how denim gets made, gaining hands-on experience with fiber selection, garment manufacturing and finishing.
As part of Lenzing’s sponsorship, we provided fibers to the participants that they used to create their denim collections. These collections will be showcased at upcoming trade shows including Centrestage 2024 and Kingpins New York 2025. Participants will have a chance to travel to New York for Kingpins Show.
In addition to construction and the technical side of denim creation, the program also helps the talents with branding. The participants gain advice and opportunities to take part in international trade shows for more exposure.
This is just one of Lenzing’s efforts to engage with the next generations of design talents. With the Hong Kong Design Institute, we offer mentorship, workshops and seminars to help students choose sustainable options for their designs. HKDI’s New Fashion Force 2024 show saw 30 percent of presenting students use TENCEL™ branded fibers in their collections. We sponsored The Best Sustainability Award at the show and Rex Mok, director of technical marketing and development, global textiles business at Lenzing, was on the panel of judges.
“The Global Denim Talent Programme goes beyond just a one-off event,” said Dennis Hui, global business development manager, denim at Lenzing. “At Lenzing, we see ourselves as more than a fiber supplier; we are also a strong bridge to bring together value chain stakeholders and join forces to alter the decades-long industry momentum. The connection established through the program is two-way—while the designers had the chance to learn from the organizers including Lenzing, it was also our pleasure to meet new players in the denim sector. We are excited to collaborate with them in the future and develop revolutionary products that leverage our fibers.”