It's obvious to anyone who buys clothes that Lane Crawford has gone much younger in recent years, so it's only appropriate it supports some young designers too. That's why the retailer is continuing its sponsorship of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University fashion competition. Each year, works by graduating students are judged against each other, with the department chain also offering an award for most promising young talent. The 12 finalists' works are now on display at the IFC shop in an exhibit called Future Fashion. The second-place winner - but the school's overall number one - is Sherry Kwok Wai-shan (pictured). 'I love the special structure and conceptual ideas of Japanese designers like Yoji Yamamoto and Comme des Garcons, as well as Belgian designers,' Kwok said at the June 30 exhibition opening. 'I'm just working freelance now but shortly I hope some company hires me. I want to have the chance to work on creative things but also to do marketable work. Of course, eventually I want my own brand name.' Teacher Paulene Hsia had nice things to say about the retailer, which has been supporting the school for three years now. 'Last year's winner was invited to display his work at Lane Crawford's Beijing opening,' retailing lecturer Hsia said, adding that her Poly U department is a lot like the TV series Project Runway leading up to the graduate show. 'Yeah, there are a lot of 24-hour days, sleepless nights and things being stapled together at the last minute. But it's a lot of fun seeing youthful vitality.' The graduating student exhibition runs until July 31.
