FASHIONALLY - #FArunway | NEXT@Fashion InStyle : Pioneering the Future of Fashion with Innovative Materials

#FArunway | NEXT@Fashion InStyle : Pioneering the Future of Fashion with Innovative Materials

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2025.05.09

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The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) hosts Fashion InStyle at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, unveiling the visionary “NEXT@Fashion InStyle” showcase. This innovative exhibit charts the future of fashion and design, igniting a revolutionary surge through cutting-edge materials. Uniting over 60 premier material suppliers from across the globe, the zone sparks creativity and cross-border collaboration, showcasing transformative fashion materials and technologies. Elevating the event’s prestige, “NEXT@Fashion InStyle” welcomes Han Chong, founder and creative director of the internationally acclaimed brand Self-Portrait, as the ambassador, infusing the showcase with bold foresight and unparalleled creative energy.

In collaboration with five visionary local designers — Arto Wong, Jason Ying, Johnson Chong, Kinyan Lam, and Toki Wong, NEXT@Fashion InStyle showcases the synergy of creative design, advanced material properties, smart technology, biodegradability, and upcycling techniques, highlighting the transformative potential of innovative materials in the fashion industry. The initiative is organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and funded by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Hong Kong SAR Government. Thailand is the Strategic Partner of NEXT@Fashion InStyle powered by Thailand Creative Culture Agency (THACCA) and the National Soft Power Development Committee.

Han Chong - The Ambassador of NEXT@Fashion InStyle
Fashion is evolving, and materials are at the heart of this shift. As the Founder and Creative Director of self-portrait, Han Chong has built his brand on a deep understanding of fabric innovation - how materials shape design, craftsmanship, and ultimately, the final product that reaches the customer. Now, as the ambassador for NEXT@Fashion InStyle, he joins the initiative in championing new ways for designers to experiment with fabrics that blend sustainability, culture, and technology.

“NEXT@Fashion InStyle is about pushing boundaries - rethinking how we design, create, and innovate with materials that respect both tradition and the future.”

SUSTAINABLE DENIM x JASON YING Supported by ADVANCE DENIM
Jason integrates sustainable denim from Advance Denim with military elements, deconstructing details such as military bags, badges, and fabric straps. "This soft fabric has a light and airy feel, is breathable, and allows for easy wearing of jackets even in hot weather," he notes. The fabric not only meets the needs of his three-dimensional contour designs but also aligns with his environmental principles. "The greatest advantage of Advance Denim is its combination of eco-friendliness and biodegradability. My designs often leave surplus fabric scraps, but these materials can naturally degrade, greatly reducing my stress." Advance Denim has collaborated with a US firm, The LYCRA Company, to develop FitSense technology, allowing designers to define specific areas of fabric stretch, enhancing the flexibility of denim apparel design.

GAMBIERED CANTON SILK x KINYAN LAM Supported by FOSHAN SHUNDE DISTRICT LUNJIAO GAMBIERED CANTON SILK ASSOCIATION
Kinyan's design focuses on traditional craftsmanship: "I draw inspiration from the elongated and loose silhouettes of the 1950s." Gambiered Canton Silk is crafted using traditional Chinese flat-cutting techniques, which aligns well with his past designs. "I'm skilled in using these advanced flat-cutting techniques to create loose and comfortable garments, so I'm quite familiar with handling the material." He transforms this traditional fabric into the centrepiece of his collection, preserving cultural roots while exuding a modern vibe.

ALGAFILA x ARTO WONG & TOKI WONG Supported by COBALT
Arto’s design emerges from the notion of conducting a fascinating and varied visual experiment. She applies two-toned stripes as the central element: “Two-toned stripes naturally possess visual contrast and tension, with two colours intertwining in one fabric to create a strong visual impact.” Under her creative influence, stripes are given fresh colours. The arrangement of horizontal, vertical, and diagonal stripes weaves a dynamic sense of layering, akin to sketching a dynamic painting on a flat surface, presenting a vibrant and dynamic knitwear collection. “In this design, I’ve further amplified this sense of dimension by employing ‘patterns with virtual weaving techniques’ and geometric panel designs to introduce more diverse visual impacts.”

Toki's collection is named "Son of the Beach." He says, "The concept comes from the feeling of going to the beach in the summertime. I hope to capture and showcase the lazy, comfortable, and refreshing vibe of beach life through my work." This theme aligns perfectly with his choice of marine-derived material—AlgaFila, or seaweed fibre—since both are closely linked to the sea. Toki explains that he chose seaweed fibre because it could address waste and pollution issues right from the source. He says, "Seaweed fibre has high stability and features the advantages of being dry and lightweight." His initial impression of the material was its subtlety. "This subtlety is a major advantage because, in appearance, it doesn't differ much from many traditional yarns. Simply put, you can't tell it's derived from seaweed. This texture gives me more possibilities in design."

LOTUXILK ^TM x ARTO WONG Supported by LOTUX & PRIMOTEX
Arto's work is renowned for its rich use of colour, and in this collaborative series, she has breathed new life into the cream and light grey tones of lotus silk fibre. "I think these natural colours can be combined with vibrant hues," she says, choosing orange to create a striking visual impact. This contrast not only highlights the natural beauty of the material but also infuses the design with a fashionable vibrancy.

Compared to traditional wool, Arto acknowledges that designers need to adjust their designs based on the material's characteristics to balance aesthetics, quality, and comfort. "Their texture is similar to materials commonly found on the market, and their regenerative qualities do not compromise the feel, while preserving the unique colours and natural beauty of natural resources."

FUNCTIONAL FABRIC x JOHNSON CHONG Supported by LLOYD TEXTILE TRADING LIMITED
Designer Johnson states, "The concept stems from my exploration of functionality and aesthetics, suited for Hong Kong's urban life while incorporating elements of outdoor apparel design. It is a combination of 'functional' and 'fashionable,' creating highly functional, lightweight clothing." In this collection, he has chosen professional-grade functional material X-Pac^® as the core of this collection.

X-Pac^® is a high-performance material developed by Dimension-Polyant, designed for outdoor and extreme environments. It is renowned for its lightweight, high strength, and waterproof properties, with its diamond grid pattern on the surface making it instantly recognisable with high distinctiveness. "Having previously designed backpack products, X-Pac^® is commonly used in outdoor bags and even sailing gear.