Showcasing fashion as youthful creativity for social good

The spectacular “#WYWT – What You Wear Tomorrow – Fashion Show” was a rare and unimaginable opportunity for 20 young designers from vulnerable and challenging backgrounds.

Together with members of the Youth Crime Prevention Centre at The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG), the young people presented 20 fashion series designed in collaboration with 76 students from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). The collection clearly reflected the participants’ creative flair and confidence, while providing motivation for their peers to live life by staying true to themselves.

Yi1 said the #WYWT programme freed her innermost thoughts and allowed her to incorporate her clothing design concepts with textile art. Yi was also able to adapt her newly acquired calligraphy skills to a contemporary style by penning a chrysanthemum poem. In Chinese culture, chrysanthemums symbolise autumn and the ninth lunar month. The Chinese word for chrysanthemum is similar to jū( 菊 ) , which means “to remain” and jiǔ which means “long time.”

The experience was sheer liberation for Yi, who dreamt of becoming a teacher when she was young but had to contend with a difficult family environment filled with misunderstandings, bickering and high expectations. This made her extremely stressed and she started exhibiting extreme behaviour disorder symptoms. Being able to express her feelings through the chrysanthemum poem gave her a channel for her hopes of pursuing her goals eventually.

Likewise, introverted Hong2 found challenges while growing up in a single parent household without adequate financial and spiritual support. His original dream of becoming a professional cyclist had been abandoned due to the lack of resources. However, working with his team in the #WYWT programme gave Hong an opportunity to demonstrate his determination to overcome challenges and difficulties in life. His confidence level soared and he was able to express himself boldly through his design and styling while engaging in a unique experience that has greatly enriched his life.

The project leader, Dr. Jin Lam, an Assistant Professor at PolyU School of Fashion and Textiles (SFT) said, “Through #WYWT’, we hope that the younger generation can develop strength and talent within themselves and in others, learning to appreciate and have confidence in themselves.

“While connecting the community with the #WYWT, we believe that by using fashion as a medium through the codesigned outfits, both the teenage participants and the PolyU students are able to fully

express their own unique values and potential as well as pluck up the courage to face life’s challenges.”

Mr Wilson Chan, Deputy Executive Director of HKFYG remarked, “I am a firm believer that everyone has talent, and I am so happy that this student-led project has given all the participants the opportunity to showcase their imagination. To participate in a process that encompasses every level of fashion production, from ideation to presentation, and by weaving art and fashion together to highlight their stories, both the PolyU students and the Federation’s teenage participants have gained a greater understanding of their strengths, thoughts and feelings. This will go a long way to build up their confidence and creativity.”

The Show was coorganized by SFT, (formerly known as the Institute of Textiles and Clothing), the PolyU Service-learning and Leadership Office and HKFYG. The idea was to unleash the teenagers’ imagination & innovative potential and enhance their self-confidence. The programme also allowed the PolyU students to apply the practical skills they had acquired on their courses and enhance their sense of social responsibility through serving the community.