The 4th Hong Kong Denim Festival was a celebratory two-week campaign marked by vibrant opening and closing events featuring catwalks, designers, insightful discussions, and special performances by Tyson Yoshi, Hung Kaho, and more.
Set against the Harbour presence of Hong Kong, the opening ceremony was held at the Ocean Terminal Deck, while the closing ceremony took place at POPCORN. The events were organized by the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) and supported by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency. The festival set the tone for a new generation of designers who are unafraid to challenge convention. Effectively reintroducing denim to Hong Kong audiences, the festival presented it not as a static material, but as an ever-evolving medium shaped by the vision and determination of local designers.
TENCEL™’S CONTINUOUS PARTNERSHIP
As a continued thread of support throughout the festival, and a gold sponsor for this year’s Denim Festival, TENCEL™ emerged as a defining mark on the material presence. In emphasis of how the evolution of fashion at even fibre level can reshape the future of denim, TENCEL™ provided certain innovations to the projects, as well as provided tours and AIC to the up and coming designers.
When reflecting on the collaboration of the institute of design, TENCEL™ and the Hong Kong Denim Festival (HKDF), Travis Li, Senior Lecturer at the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), commented that “The collaboration between the HK Denim Festival and Lenzing had served as a vital bridge between academic creativity and industrial innovation, empowering designers to reimagine the future of denim.” This observation was embodied fully through the work of two alumni from the second edition of Lenzing’s Global Denim Talent Programme, both of whom integrated TENCEL™ fibres into their collections on display at Harbour City. Jesse Lee’s Blue Fossil Record used “the fibre’s smooth nature as a canvas for laser-printing,” resulting in what Li describes as a “‘living fossil’ effect where patterns emerge over time.” In contrast, Jason Lee of YMDH “challenged denim norms in Ready to Formal,” leveraging “TENCEL™’s soft drape to execute reversible, deconstructed designs that blend refinement with sustainability.” Both approaches highlighted the versatility of the fabric and the importance of quality sustainable materials in the designing process. Rather than appearing as a standalone showcase, TENCEL™ was embedded within the wider exhibition narrative, reinforcing Li’s belief that “by equipping talent with such materials, we ensure the next generation creates fashion that is both aesthetically daring and environmentally responsible.”
The warmth and commitment to a supportive sponsorship of this kind was even mentioned by Rex Mok, Global Director of Technical Marketing & Development of LENZING. This was more about “sharing the beauty of collaboration”, not only nurturing young talent, but fostering education, mentorship and material support in line with the future of the denim and fashion industry. At LENZING, we connect deeply with the textile world to deliver excellence for generations to come”, a sentence that truly reinforced the company’s involvement with the Denim Festival and how that it is also an investment towards the future of fashion itself.
Many of these conversations throughout the venue remained heavily focused on the next steps, as several of the featured designers prepared to showcase their work beyond Hong Kong, including upcoming appearances at Paris Fashion Week. The evening felt more like a confident declaration of intent than an ending, signaling the growing presence and ambition of Hong Kong’s denim talent on the global stage.
At T&C, we spoke to several designers who have collaborated with TENCEL™ this year when it came to the design process of their collection.
JESSE LEE
Speaking to Jesse Lee, there’s an immediate spark that lights up his eyes when you mention fashion and sustainability. It’s clear that fashion, design, and creation have been significant parts of his life. As a recent graduate with a master’s in menswear design from the University of Westminster in London, Jesse has been paving his path in the fashion world. Consequently, he shows attention to detail and care when selecting fabrics for his collections and expresses immense gratitude to TENCEL™ and LENZING for their continuous support over the years.
This year, Jesse’s collection inspiration stemmed from his love for dinosaur fossils, a representation of the exhibitions and exploration of evolution’s journey. “I used TENCEL’s denim with a firm and soft touch to the body to create garments in my collection.” making it an ideal choice for contemporary menswear. The textiles he uses are not only animal-free but also sustainable, often incorporating TENCEL’s fibers into his designs, reflecting his commitment to ethical fashion, and innovative practices.
When we asked what his message was to the fashion community in Hong Kong, Jesse dove into his love for sustainability, and urged his peers to prioritize reducing carbon footprints while fostering creativity. Through not only this year, but in all of his collections, he demonstrates that it is possible to create captivating designs that are both stylish and environmentally responsible.
JASON LEE
Founder & Creative Director of YMDH, Jason Lee talks to Vincent Leung, Head of Global Brand Communications, and shares his journey as a designer while reflecting on the role TENCEL™ played within his recent collection. Originally beginning as a dedicated vintage fashion enthusiast, Jason spoke about how his appreciation for timeless craftsmanship and garments shaped his approach to sustainable design.
Within his conversation, he highlighted that TENCEL™’s mission ‘sustainability definitely has an impact on the fashion world’, even down to their use of lasers on denim it ‘reduces pollution and promotes a lower carbon footprint,’. These values align very closely with his own creative philosophy, making the collaboration and use of TENCEL™’s fibre a natural choice for his work. Jason’s innovative and sustainability first approach is evident in his creation of reversible garments, enforcing greater consideration for designs and the longevity of a piece. Fortunately, all of these ideas take advantage of TENCEL™’s fibers , as well as them being “soft to the touch, which ensures comfort on the skin”, factors that ensure variety, and ease of wear, whichever way the garment is worn. His designs reflect in a collection that balances versatility with refinement, reflecting the modern customer’s desire for adaptable and responsible fashion.
Jason also expressed a keen interest to ‘study on how the blend of fibers in denim can create a different feel on skin through garments’, exploring how to better understand how different material combinations can enhance texture, movement, and tactile experience. With plans for ongoing research, he is eager to continue refining his practice, aligning future collections with the evolving landscape of sustainable fashion while contributing meaningfully to its progression.
Both designers we spoke with returned to the same idea: sustainability is not a surface-level consideration, but something embedded into every decision, from the fastenings, constructions, to even the fibers. Their approach reflects a wider shift within fashion, where responsibility is treated as a part of the creative process rather than an afterthought. In this mind, access to innovative materials and informed collaborations become an essential foundation for experimentation, education and longer-term change- shaping how designers work, how garments are worn, and how the industry itself evolves.
