"Fashion design faculties of local tertiary education should offer courses
on footwear design; this will help nurture more young designers in the related
discipline, thus enhancing Hong Kong's capability in footwear design," said
Chairman of the Hong Kong Leather Shoe and Shoe Material Merchants Association
Limited, George Miu, at the 2002 Footwear Design Competition's prize award ceremony
yesterday (April 4).
Miu further elaborated that through fostering local design talents; which in
turn encouraged more manufacturers to engage in original design manufacturing,
local tertiary education could help to boost the export competitiveness of Hong
Kong footwear. Such collaborative direction would be a support to the Hong Kong
Trade Development Council (TDC) which was endeavoured to promote the external
trade of Hong Kong.
Miu pointed out that the younger generation had become more demanding when
it came to aesthetic in fashion. Apparel and accessories were essentially complementing
each other; handbags and shoes were therefore required to be practical as well
as upbeat.
Miu continued to say that the judging panel was greatly impressed by the creativity
of the overall entrants, though some failed to win out because they lacked the
experience in reckoning problems which would affect the possibility of mass
production. Miu hoped a footwear design competition could be held annually to
help budding designers to acquire a deeper understanding in footwear production
and technique, thus mastering the maneuver in footwear design.
Winning both the 1st Runner-up of the Fashion Shoes category and
2nd Runner up of the Casual Shoes category, Vivian Lam was ready
to join the rank of footwear designers after graduation. "If fashion design
faculties of local tertiary institutions could offer design courses on footwear
and handbag to train up designers with related specialised skills, more talents
will be attracted to work in the field," said Lam.
Creative integration of new technology empowered Tsai Nga Chun to become winner
of the Casual Shoes category.
"After designing the ideal motif in the computer, I utilised our school's newly
acquired digital textile printer to print out the motif directly on fabric,
the fabric then went through repeated cool and hot water rinsing to achieve
a 'wash-out' effect; it was great to be able to 'make' the printed fabric for
my own design," said Tsai. "Once this technology is widely adopted, it will
be as popular as T-shirts with heat-transfer motif; anyone can use his/her own
favourite photo or computer drawing to make a unique pair of shoes."
Among a total of 400 pieces of designs which entered the Competition, 50 pieces
were chosen for the final round, among which 41 pieces were made into samples
under the sponsorship of manufacturers. The winners were:
Fashion Shoes Category
Winner: Koo Man Kit / Yim Kit Ling (Nobility)
1st Runner-up : Lam Bik Yan, Vivian (Fish Fin)
2nd Runner-up: Tsui Sau Kuen (Bamboo)
Casual Shoes Category
Winner: Tsai Nga Chun (Rainforest)
1st Runner-up : Tsui Sau Kuen (Rickshaw)
2nd Runner-up: Lam Bik Yan, Vivian (Biscuits)
Sports Shoes Category
Winner: Lee Pui Yan (Soccer)
1st Runner-up : Fung Chi Kwong, Mickey (The Beauty
of Sunshine)
2nd Runner-up: Lee Sze Wan (Breakthrough)
Joy and Peace Creativity Award
Winner: Ng Wai Hoi, Alex (Step on Technology)
To illustrate the creative flair of the new design force, all winning designs
and part of the entrants' creations are being showcased at the 2002 Asia Pacific
Leather Fair until April 10 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.
The 2002 Footwear Design Competition was organised by the Hong Kong Leather
Shoe and Shoe Material Merchants Association Limited; the Hong Kong Rubber &
Footwear Manufacturers' Association; and sponsored by the TDC.
The judging panel comprised of Honorary Chairman of the Hong Kong Leather Shoe
and Shoe Material Merchants Association Ltd, Leung Fok Shing; Chairman of the
the Hong Kong Leather Shoe and Shoe Material Merchants Association Ltd, George
Miu; Chairman and Managing Director of Mirabell International Holdings Ltd,
William Tang; Director of Staccato Footwear Co. Ltd, Tang Yiu; Vice President
of Hong Kong Rubber & Footwear Manufacturers' Association, H.W. Kwong; renowned
fashion designer and image consultant, Judy Mann; Associate Professor and Course
Leader of School of Design, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Sheila Cook; and
Head of Fashion, TDC, Patrick Lam.
*****
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and Marketing Department at 25844333
