Hong Kong Design Institute’s Denim 6 Program Taps into Industry Partnerships
Training the next generation of denim designers needs to start in schools. Partnerships between the industry and colleges open the door for more immersive, real-world educational experiences.
The Hong Kong Design Institute’s Denim 6 project chose six students to receive a denim-specific design education. As part of the coursework, the participants visited Lenzing’s Application Innovation Center in Hong Kong in December to see a presentation from the TENCEL™ Denim Team on sustainable denim, our fibers and inspiration on applications of TENCEL™ in denim. Other industry players like Advance Denim, Cone Denim, Jeanologia and Kontoor also provided education and support for this initiative.
On May 17, the students presented their collections, all of which feature materials containing TENCEL™ fibers. Some of the participants have also been selected to showcase their looks in the upcoming Graduation Fashion Show 2023 in June.
Dr. Travis Li, lecturer in the Department of Fashion & Image Design at Hong Kong Design Institute, chatted with Carved in Blue about the objective of the program and what students gained from the industry partnerships.
Carved in Blue: What is Denim 6, and how was it born?
Travis: The Denim 6 project is a collaboration between the Department of Fashion & Image Design of Hong Kong Design Institute and the denim industry, aimed at nurturing students who have an interest and potential in denim-wear design. The project offers students access to more resources, technical backup from industry experts and material sponsorship to create a more focused learning environment for fashion design students. Denim and streetwear are one of the prominent focus areas for the students’ fashion designs in HKDI, making the Denim 6 project an ideal platform for them to explore their creativity and develop their skills in this area. The collaboration with visiting fellow David Tring, who is a denim master, further strengthens the project’s focus on providing students with a comprehensive learning experience in denim-wear design, with support from companies such as The Lenzing Group.
Carved in Blue: What do you want to achieve from this project? What have you achieved so far?
Travis: The Denim 6 project has successfully aligned with the program’s emphasis on teaching and learning with experience and industrial attachment. Through this project, students have been able to access industry experts and practical experiences, helping them develop their skills in denim-wear design. The project has focused on innovative denim craft and design, allowing students to explore new and creative ways of designing denim wear and develop their unique style to become successful in their careers. The comprehensive learning experience provided by the Denim 6 project, including mentorship, visits, talks, workshops and technical support, has given students a solid foundation in denim-wear design and set them on a path to becoming successful denim designers. Overall, the Denim 6 project has provided students with a unique and focused learning environment that emphasizes practical experience and industry attachment, enabling them to become successful in their career paths.
Carved in Blue: Who are your industrial partners and how do they participant in this project?
Travis: The Denim6 project has partnered with several industry leaders, including the Lenzing Group, Advance Denim, Jeanologia, Cone Denim and Kontoor Group, to provide students with access to industry expertise, material sponsorship, technical support and sustainable technologies such as laser techniques. Lenzing Group provides fiber knowledge, technical knowhow and sustainable denim concepts with TENCEL™ Denim, while Advance Denim offers technical support and material sponsorship. Jeanologia provides access to innovative technologies and expertise in sustainable denim manufacturing with laser effect, and Cone Denim offers expertise and technical support in denim fabric manufacturing. Kontoor Group provides expertise in denim design and commercial aspects of denim fashion. These partnerships enable students to gain a comprehensive understanding of the denim industry and develop skills in denim fashion design and manufacturing.
Carved in Blue: What are the difficulties you face in this project?
Travis: One of the challenges faced in the project was scheduling conflicts with students’ classes; our students had a busy schedule. Another challenge is to manage ensuring equal opportunities for all students to receive support, as they are all so unique that they need different kinds of support. Despite these challenges, the Denim 6 project has been successful in nurturing students and helping them develop their skills in denim-wear design. The project has resulted in six distinctive collections that showcase strong character in design, which is a testament to the project’s success.
Carved in Blue: What is the role of Lenzing and TENCEL™ Denim to the students?
Travis: The partnership with Lenzing and TENCEL™ Denim has played a significant role in the success of the Denim 6 project. Through this collaboration, students have gained access to high-quality fiber materials and expertise, which has helped them to understand the unique characteristics of TENCEL™ Denim and how to incorporate it into their designs. Students have been amazed by the unique hand feel and properties of fabric with TENCEL™ content, and have also had the opportunity to explore sophisticated laser techniques on TENCEL™ denim. This partnership has not only provided students with a valuable learning experience but has also opened up new avenues for creativity and innovation in denim-wear design.
Carved in Blue: What’s next?
Travis: The Denim 6 collections will be showcased in various occasions, including the graduation fashion show, graduation exhibition and Denim Festival. The success of the Denim 6 project will serve as a starting point for future projects generated in the upcoming denim studio at HKDI. Additionally, the innovation process and valuable design stories of Denim 6, with the students’ experiences, will help them compete for scholarships and competitions such as the Young Design Talent Award. The Denim 6 project provides students with an invaluable profile and foundation for them to excel in future studies, career prospects and competitions. As a kickstart project, Denim 6 project has been a significant success, and its impact will continue to benefit students well into the future.
Carved in Blue: Could you share a little bit of insight and info about the graduation show?
Travis: The HKDI New Fashion Force 2023 fashion show, taking place on June 27, is an exciting opportunity for 40 talented student finalists to showcase their creative work. The show will feature a range of collections, including womenswear, menswear, wovenwear and knitwear. The finalists will compete for a list of awards, including the Best Creativity Award, Best Denim Award, Best Sustainability Award, Best Knitwear Collection, etc. This platform not only gives students the opportunity to showcase their talent and unique aesthetics but also provides a chance for them to gain recognition and exposure in the fashion industry. It’s an excellent opportunity for students to impress industry professionals.