HONG KONG, CHINA - Media OutReach - 3 April 2019 - TheHong Kong fur industry has been internationally acclaimed for its impeccablecraftsmanship and unparalleled creativity. To identify and nurture local designtalents, theYoung Executive Committee (YEC) of Hong Kong Fur Federation presented the annual "Hong Kong FurDesign Competition" that aims to encourage local young designers to flex theircreative muscles and provide an exchange platform for the industry players andfur enthusiasts to further explore new and exciting possibilities of furdesign.

The "Hong KongFur Design Competition 2019" was held at Felix, The Peninsula. The contestreceived enthusiastic responses this year with over 240 submissions from 120students with the participation of 5 local design institutes. Theoutstanding designs of 25 students were shortlisted in the 1^stand 2^nd phases. And then 10 finalists' 20 entries were shortlisted bythe judge panels to vie for four honours at the award presentation ceremony,including the "Commercial Award". "Merit Award" were paid tribute to the 6remaining finalists. Aiming to provide a stage for aspiring young designers to shine andflaunt their creativity, all winners were rewarded with cash prizes.

Echoing thetheme "Amazing Nature", the design of participantswas inspired by various natural elements from auroras and whale. Notable forthe exceptional creativity, students ingeniously applied plenty of colors andforms ranging from the natural and lifestyle. With the magnificent lighting andharmonious music, the sensational show culminated in presentation of the 20glamourous fur pieces, offering the audiences a glimpse into the beauty ofnature. Perfectly blended nature with modern elements, the show drew all eyesto the endless possibilities of fur and the amazing nature. 

The winner of "HongKong Fur Design Competition 2019" was Mr Au Chi Yip, Wesker, thestudent of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Institute of Textiles &Clothing, BA (Hons) in Fashion and Textile. His fur was produced by Ace FurManufacturing Limited. The 1^st runner up was Miss ChungLai Yau, the student of Hong Kong Design Institute- Higher Diploma in Fashion& Image Design. Her design was produced by East China Fur Limited. The 2^ndrunner up was Mr Ng Leong Yin, the student of Hong Kong Design Institute-Higher Diploma in Fashion & Image Design. His fur was produced by RisingSun Fur Manufacturing Limited. While the Winner and 1^st Runner-up will be enrolled in a short term furdesign course in Copenhagen, Denmark, and the 2^nd Runner-up will beenrolled in a short term fur design course in Toronto, Canada, in order tobroaden their horizons and sharpen their skills.

Miss Ho Wing, the student of Hong Kong DesignInstitute- Higher Diploma in Fashion & Image Design, got the prize of "CommercialAward". Her design was produced by Season Trading Company Limited.

Ms. Haze Wong, Chairlady ofYoung Executive Committee of Hong Kong Fur Federation, thanked variousindustries representatives and guests joining the event and supporting local youngtalents. Shewas pleasedto see that the competition continues to garner wide attention this year andthe guestsspoke highly of students' designs in extraordinary practicability and colorcreativity. 

She stated that "Fur is anenvironmentally friendly and sustainable material. With no doubt, designers andconsumers choosing to work with fur and wearing fur, appreciate the uniquenessof such natural materials. We are proud that Hong Kong has a legendary history in fur industry andhas made superior achievements ininternational market. We take pride to see our heritage of arts and craftsmanshipgiving a new dimension to fur, enabling fur to keep sparkling on the runway asa fashionable item."

This year's judging panel comprised Mrs. JohannaManni, Deputy Consul-General of the Consulate General of Finland, HKSAR, Mr. Wilson Chiu,Chairman of Hong Kong Fur Federation, Mr. Stephen Liang, Assistant ExecutiveDirector of Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Ms. Chris Cui, President ofKopenhagen Fur (China), Ms. Daria McWilliams, NAFA Brand Manager andManaging Director of Studio NAFA, Ms. Hidy Ng, renowned fashion designer,and Mr. Mountain Yam, famous fashion designer. Winners were recognized for the originality and creativity,commercial value and marketability, workmanship, use of fur materials, andoverall design concept of their collections.

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The Hong Kong Fur Federation wasestablished in 1979 to coordinate Hong Kong fur trade activities and to promoteits development.  The vast majority offurs used by Hong Kong fur manufacturers are sourced from fur farms in the USAand Scandinavia. All wild furs used by the trade are obtained according to therules of responsible conservation, and strict government controls ensure thatno endangered species are ever used.