In June AWI partnered with Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s (PolyU) Institute of Textiles and Clothing, the country’s most prestigious design school, for the fourth year running at the PolyU’s annual graduation fashion show, to showcase Merino wool in contemporary design.

AWI sponsored two awards: the Woolmark Platinum Award, and the Flinders Merino and AWI Platinum Award (co-sponsored by Flinders Merino). The awards aim to inspire and educate students about Merino wool.

The Woolmark Platinum Award required the students to create a collection comprising approximately 80 per cent Australian Merino wool. The winner was Tina Wong. Tina recently graduated majoring in Knitwear Design. Her winning collection will be on show on the runway at the upcoming SpinExpo Shanghai trade show in early September.

Tina’s designs also featured on the WGSN website:

The Flinders Merino and AWI Platinum Award also required an Australian Merino wool content of 80 per cent. The winner of this award was Bel Tse. Brian Rowe and John and June Parnell of Flinders Merino attended the event and presented awards.

The two award winners will travel to Australia in October to visit the Flinders Merino wool farms in South Australia and wool auction houses, local retailers and manufacturers in Melbourne.

Alex Lai, AWI’s business development manager for Hong Kong, who was one of the judges, said it was inspiring to see the young designers using Australian Merino in such innovative ways.

“They are the future of design – not just in Hong Kong, but potentially much further afield – so it is important they have an opportunity to learn about Merino wool as they embark on their careers in the global fashion industry,” Alex says.

“It’s hoped that when the students start their working lives they have a good understanding of Australian Merino wool and have the contacts within AWI to keep up-to-date with advances in technology so they can influence their colleagues as well.”

Nurturing knitwear design talent in Hong Kong is crucial in helping to build demand for knitwear products. Hong Kong is one of the world’s major knitwear exporters. As the gateway for southern and eastern Chinese wool processors and manufacturers, Hong Kong is a global hub for sourcing wool garments particularly for the major US and European brands.

World-class textile education facilities in Hong Kong attract key personnel from around the region and their fashion shows attract support, sponsorship and raw materials from many of the region’s key knitwear and apparel companies.

View the photo gallery of the PolyU Fashion Show 2010.

For more information, contact AWI Hong Kong office.