The Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers’ Contest 2026 (YDC) concluded in spectacular fashion on September 5, as part of the CENTRESTAGE event, Asia’s premier annual fashion showcase and a flagship of the third Hong Kong Fashion Fest. Ten finalists presented collections that drew from personal experiences and inner emotions, using distinctive tailoring and materials to tell unique stories. The designs echoed this year's theme, “YOU.”, and provided a high-standard runway show for an audience that included celebrities such as Will Or, elka@Lolly Talk, and Kaki Sham.
After careful deliberation, a panel of professional judges selected the winners. Tsui Ao Lung emerged as Champion with his collection “The Tide”, winning a cash prize of HK$60,000 and an overseas internship sponsored by Fang Brothers Knitting Ltd. The collection, inspired by a classic Cantopop hit, depicts the ebbs and flows of a woman’s life through four stages, reflecting the turbulence of human existence driven by emotion and destiny. Mr. Tsui expressed that the extensive handcrafting required was demanding but rewarding, and he believes the award will bring visibility while helping him discover his future direction.
Cheang King Tung, Kenneth received both the Excellence Award and the Best Art Direction Award for his collection “NOSTALGIA”, which draws inspiration from the 1983 film Nostalghia and explores themes of homeland and yearning. The work transforms memories of Hong Kong—its humid air, harbours, fishing villages, and industrial landscapes—into clothing through hand-dyeing and experimental materials. Mr. Cheang noted that participating in YDC was rewarding and that his non-mainstream work gaining mainstream recognition affirms his 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”. This collection examines Hong Kong’s workplace culture, portraying the dynamics between veteran “old-timers” and “rookies”. By incorporating common workplace dictums into design elements, Ms. Lam captures the tension between following rules and rebelling, as well as the growth process from imitation to self-evaluation. She expressed gratitude for the support and hoped her work resonates with many.
The judging panel, chaired by Katherine Fang, included VIP Judge Rok Hwang, founder and Creative Director of ROKH, who praised the show for its “brilliant mixture of Hong Kong culture and creative energy.” Overseas Judge Olya Kuryshchuk, unable to attend in person, provided feedback remotely. Other judges included Tracey Cheng, Jonathan Lee, Cherry Mui, and Kieran Ho.
This year, YDC also celebrated a decade of partnership with MINI HK, which has been the lead sponsor for ten consecutive years. To mark the milestone, nine YDC alumni winners created car-wrap designs for the All Electric MINI Cooper and Aceman, with the tenth design by the YDC 2026 MINI-sponsored award winner. The collaboration underscores the theme “Express Yourself” and encourages individuality. MINI also presented a special stage programme featuring local actors and MINI owners sharing their stories.
The event highlights the importance of nurturing young talent in fashion design, as Hong Kong continues to strengthen its position as Asia’s creative capital. For more photos from the grand finale, visit this link.
