Rod Henderson is the President of Concept2, one of the business units of TAL Apparel. Concept2 specialises in Casual and Lifestyle apparel, working with many well-known brands and retailers across the USA and Europe. Rod is part of the TAL leadership team which has successfully transformed TAL’s structure establishing the business unit focus. Previously, Rod has held senior roles in manufacturing, sourcing, and retail, working across various apparel sectors with both Hong Kong and UK companies. Rod has been living in Hong Kong for the past 13 years since moving from the UK.

Hoiki Liu is a Hong Kong-born entrepreneur with a passion for sustainable fashion and ethical business practices. Her journey in the business world began after receiving her education from both local and international schools in Hong Kong and pursuing further studies in Canada during her high school and university years.

After her early career led her into the family garment manufacturing business, Nice Tones Ltd., founded by her father, Davy Liu, in 1992, she expanded the family’s ventures by establishing Skyrex International Ltd. in 2009. This new venture focused on partnering with factories in various garment categories, showcasing her entrepreneurial acumen and commitment to business growth.

Hoiki’s personal life took a significant turn as she got married and became a mother to two boys. This transformative experience fueled her dedication to living consciously and sustainably. She adopted eco-friendly practices in both her personal life and business endeavors, promoting a lifestyle focused on reducing single-use plastics and embracing sustainability in all aspects.

Driven by her passion for sustainability, Hoiki launched Anthora Collection in 2024, a women’s wear capsule line that embodies timeless fashion and eco-conscious principles. Anthora Collection sources deadstock materials, prioritizes plastic-free packaging, and incorporates natural or recycled accessories, setting a new standard for sustainable fashion in the industry.

Beyond her business endeavors, Hoiki values work-life balance and community engagement. She shares her expertise in sustainability and entrepreneurship through her sustainable journal, open table discussions, and educational presentations. She also engages in charitable initiatives with her family, including beach clean-ups and food distribution efforts, instilling values of environmental and social responsibility in her children and the community.

Brian Luo is the Product Director of Guangdong Quaternion Technology Ltd., a subsidiary of the Tessellation Group, specializing in providing Smart Manufacturing automation and digital solutions for the textile manufacturing industry.

Brian holds a Master’s degree in Materials Engineering and Nanotechnology from City University of Hong Kong, and a Master’s degree in Applied Data Science from The University of Michigan, USA.

Kenneth Au is the Chief Technology Officer of StyleSpace AI, an AI solutions company and an incubatee of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park (HKSTP), focused on transforming the fashion retail industry. With over 8 years of experience in artificial intelligence research, Kenneth has been at the forefront of applying AI to fashion. He conducted extensive research in AI during his MPhil studies at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, laying the groundwork for his innovative work in AI-driven fashion solutions.

At StyleSpace AI, Kenneth leads the development of technologies, including 3D body measurement systems for precise sizing, diffusion-based virtual try-on solutions that enable customers to visualize garments with just a photo, and AI-powered fashion image stylists driven by large language models. His vision bridges the gap between cutting-edge AI and its practical applications in retail, helping brands enhance customer experiences and optimize operations.

Kenneth’s unique combination of technical expertise and market insight enables StyleSpace AI to deliver solutions that empower fashion brands to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving industry. His work is driving the AI revolution in fashion, expanding what technology can achieve for retailers and customers.

Italo Marseglia is a passionate fashion designer with a multifaceted career (design, teaching, consulting), Italo lives his creative professionalism with strong enthusiasm. With an eye toward tailoring, handmade and sustainable fashion, Italo is equipped with solid technical and transversal skills ranging from handcrafting to management: his training in fashion design has never been a constraint or limitation to the expression of creativity.

Italo Marseglia was born in 1990 in south of Italy. Always fascinated by great couturiers, he started to define his own particular vision of fashion especially when he attends scientific high school. Math, logic and rigore becomes bases of his own creativity.

Then he moves to Rome to attend IED and he graduated in Fashion Design in 2012. He stared an internship in haute couture at Fausto Sarli atelier – where he masters the art of tailoring dealing with manual skills and commitment to perfection. Soon Italo felt the urge to begin his personal path, renewing his perspectives and experiences by collaborating as a freelance with Italian brands. The designer had the chance to deal with many kind of fashion products. Moreover, Italo started many collaborations with many museums, theaters and public institutions both in Italy and abroad (MSC Cruises, Pfizer, PARCO ARCHEOLOGICO DEL COLOSSEO and many others).

Nowaday Italo is Coordinator of IED Rome’s Fashion design Master course.

In 2016, after so many experiences he founds his own brand. Italo returns to Rome where he establishes his studio. Marseglia stars dealing with his first collection which perfectly shows his passion for structured, perfectly tailored garments are viewable in lines and shapes of his creations.

Member of the 11^th Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference for the Province of Hebei

Member of the 6^th Election Committee of Hong Kong SAR

The Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong – General Committee Member

Federation of Hong Kong Industries- Group 29 Vice Chairman

Textile Council of Hong Kong – Vice Chairman

Hong Kong General Chamber of Textile – Vice Chairman

Hong Kong Fur Federation  – Past and Honorary Chairman

International Fur Dressers and Dyer’s Association – Vice Chairman

Jesse holds a MA in Menswear from the University of Westminster (London, UK) and a degree in Fashion from Kingston University (UK). In 2022, Jesse won the International Talent Support Contest (ITS) Sportswear Award powered by Lotto Sport. Jesse was awarded the Redress Design Award 2020 All Star accolade for his collaboration with The R Collective and Levi’s® for the ‘Denim Reimagined’ collection. He won the Redress Design Award 2018 Second Prize Mentorship with Orsola de Castro as well as the Hong Kong Best Prize the same year.

Natacha has a multi-cultural background of Cambodian-Chinese borne in Hong Kong; raised in London, currently based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. She is a graduate of London College of Fashion.

Since debuting her Ready-to-Wear Collection in 2010, Natacha has been dedicated to making clothes that were as beautifully crafted from inside out. With the focus on couture quality craftsmanship, the materials used for her collection are 100% handcrafted in London / Hong Kong using the highest quality materials and construction, and manufactured by master tailors by hand in Cambodia .
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Her collection is sold around the world. Her dresses are presently at many major world fashion week, exhibitions and fashion show, including New York 2019; London 2019 & 2017; Paris 2019, 2018 & 2017; Milan 2020, among others.

In 2017, she was appointed as “Ambassador of Cambodia”, joining London and Paris Fashion show at the invitation of His Excellency Pan Sorasak, the Minister of Commerce of Cambodia to represent the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Stephen has years of experience in brand management and business development. As the head of several brands, Stephen has collaborated with various local artists. These collaborations not only enriched his business perspective but also deepened his understanding of local culture.

As the Business Development Director at #CCCCCc Se/ect, Stephen combines his expertise with a creative passion to drive business growth and optimize customer experience. He excels in developing and executing strategies aimed at integrating Hong Kong’s unique culture into daily life, enhancing the shopping experience for customers, and promoting the sustainable growth of local brands.

Ms. Jessica Ng,

the Founder of The Jessica Company;

Executive Vice-Chair and Chief Executive Officer of South China Financial Holdings Limited;

Non-executive director of South China Holdings Company Limited, and i-CABLE Communications Limited

Jessica has over 20 years of leadership experience in the media and financial services sector.

Jessica launched her namesake magazine JESSICA in 2000 which soon became the highest circulation women’s magazine in Hong Kong, with the aim of inspiring women to pursue their life dreams.  Later she established the JESNetwork, a community founded on the JESSICA Most Successful Women Award, with the mission of connecting, inspiring and empowering women, to create a collaborative platform for women in entrepreneurship, sustainability, technology and sport.

For over two decades, JESSICA has been a beacon of empowerment for women in Hong Kong and beyond, and to further our mission and vision, ensuring that the impact remains authentic and powerful, The JESSICA Company was established as a standalone corporate entity in 2024.

Jessica sits on various women and youth support associations, including the position of Board Member and Treasurer of The International Women’s Forum Hong Kong Chapter, and Ambassador of the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong.

Jennifer Tam, an experienced brand strategist who worked with diverse clientele from SMEs to listed companies in both local and international market. She is now the director of a renowned brand Chicks. Chicks has been producing quality everyday wear for Hong Kong and beyond since 1953.

As the 4th generation, she is continuing the brand’s legacy as well as enhancing all touch points from supply chain to brand experience for people who share the same belief – The best for the family. These years, Chicks has focused more on the social responsibility towards our community and the environment, choosing to use more natural and sustainable materials whenever possible, as well as developing durable and functional products, such as garments that cater to the elderly and individuals with skin conditions.

What the brand is weaving are lasting relationships, through which we hope to convey a sense of care and sincerity.

As vice president of Asia, apparel, Jason leads all commercial activities in Asia. He primarily focuses on achieving our company purpose and driving topline growth via the development of long-term value for both the export business and the domestic China apparel retail market. Jason has nearly 20 years’ experience in manufacturing and commercial of chemical field. Before joining The LYCRA Company and its predecessor company in 2011, he worked for GE and ExxonMobil.

Yidi Chen is the Founder and Creative Director of MATTTER, a platform accelerating the vertical application of next-generation material innovations. Prior to founding MATTTER, Yidi’s background was in fashion media, where she curated creative content for NOWNESS, IDEAT, Wallpaper, yehyehyeh, and others, with a focus on culture and sustainability. Her extensive portfolio includes collaborations with brands such as Hermès, Louis Vuitton, among others.

Mr. Paul Tai is currently the Regional Director – Far East of Mainetti Group, a leading global retail packaging supplier.  He has managed to grow the company from a start-up to a regional company with more than ten operations in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Korea, Japan, Australia and Indian subcontinents.

As his service to the community, Paul leads and sponsors various corporate social responsibility projects in Asia.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the industry and society, Paul received the Hong Kong Young Industrialist Award in 2012 for his contributions to the industry and the community. He was elected president of the Hong Kong Young Industrialists Council for the 2021/22 term. In 2023, Paul was awarded the VTC Honorary Fellowship in honor of his contributions to vocational and professional training for the young generation.

Paul is a chartered accountant in the UK, Hong Kong and Singapore, with an MBA from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.  He is also acting as the independent non-executive directors of two listed companies in Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Ms. Denise Ng brings over 20 years of diverse experience in the textile and apparel industry, having held key roles in multinational corporations, renowned fashion brands, and retail companies. Denise is currently the Head of Softlines, Connectivity and Products, SGS Hong Kong Limited. With her main focus on sustainable fashion initiatives, driving digital transformation, and leveraging data analysis to enhance industry practices. She holds a degree in Sociology and an MPhil in Social Science from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, underscoring her commitment to merging social insights with industry innovation.

Hongbo Fu is a Professor and Acting Head at the Division of Arts and Machine Creativity, Hong Kong University of Science Technology. Before joining HKUST, he worked at the School of Creative Media, City University of Hong Kong, for over 15 years. He had postdoctoral research training at the Imager Lab, University of British Columbia, Canada, and the Department of Computer Graphics, Max-Planck-Institut Informatik, Germany. He received a Ph.D. degree in computer science from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in 2007 and a BS degree in information sciences from Peking University, China, in 2002. His primary research interests fall in computer graphics, human-computer interaction, and computer vision. His research has led to over 100 scientific publications, including 70+ papers in the best graphics/vision journals (ACM TOG, IEEE TVCG, IEEE PAMI) and 30+ papers in the best vision/HCI conferences (CVPR, ICCV, ECCV, CHI, UIST). His recent works have received a Silver Medal from Special Edition 2022 Inventions Geneva Evaluation Days (IGED), the Best Demo awards at the Emerging Technologies program, SIGGRAPH Asia in 2013 and 2014, and the Best Paper awards from CAD/Graphics 2015 and UIST 2019.

Lam Ka Yan, was born and raised in the classic 90s Hong Kong. Yan obtained her first Fashion Design degree from Nottingham Trent University respectively. Before degree course, she studied Fashion design and Product development in Hong Kong Design Institute. Her graduate collection “Underground- the world beneath your feet” is honored with the Creativity Award from Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association and one of the finalists of Young Talent Award Hong Kong in 2011. She was one of the finalists of Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers’ Contest (YDC)  2019, after YDC, she launched her brand WHY in 2020.

Igor Gulyaev is a leading Russian designer, fashion designer, TV presenter and innovator of fur fashion, founder of the IGORGULYAEV Brand (Est. 2009) and the youth fashion line GULЯЙ! He created and creates images for the red carpet, iconic bright events, theatrical performances and cinema, such bright stars of the world industry as the unsurpassed Whitney Houston, the amazing Lara Fabian, the fantastic Anna Netrebko, the star of Italian cinema Ornella Muti, the Great Montserrat Caballe, Nastassja Kinski, Goldie Home and many others shone in the designer’s creations, the brightest stars of Russian show business shine in his creations. Laureate of numerous fashion awards and prizes in the fashion industry. Igor Gulyaev has repeatedly taken part in international fur fashion weeks, his works had stunning success in Milan, Dubai and Hong Kong, and more than 10 years he has been the headliner of Mercedes Benz fashion week Russia. The designer’s flagman boutique is located in the center of Moscow, and the Fashion House is located on Vasilievsky Island in St. Petersburg. It`s a space in which seasonal collections and the Brand’s couture line are created, the highest quality, uniqueness and versatility of design ideas attract clients of the fashion house to touch the creativity of the designer and inspirer of the Brand!

Angelica has over a decade of experience in foreign direct investment. Her current focus is on facilitating investment from companies in retail or sourcing of toys, cosmetics, jewelry, home furnishings, fashion, electronic appliances and most recently extending to retail technology. Since 2013, the Consumer Products team has assisted over 400 companies to set up or expand in Hong Kong.

Prior to joining InvestHK, Angelica’s career experience spanned aviation, strategic design consultancy and market research for fast moving consumer goods. She holds a Master’s degree from the University of Hong Kong, and a Bachelor of Business Administration (Marketing) from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

With 30 years of experience in the global leather industry, Francis Tsang has witnessed significant technological advancements over the past five years. He has transitioned from traditional chrome tanning methods to innovative chrome-free and heavy metal-free tanning systems. These developments have greatly reduced water and chemical usage while addressing the issues of heavy metals and chromium VI, thereby minimizing environmental pollution.

Recently, Francis has focused on ethically sourcing Tibetan domestic raw yak hides, aiming to support Tibetan herder and farmer families and ensure that no hides go to waste. His commitment to sustainability and ethical practices reflects his dedication to transforming the leather industry for the better.

William is passionate about promoting sustainable practices and driving the circular economy within the textile industry.

William has a wealth of on the ground experience project managing complex textile-to-textile, closed-loop recycling projects for pre and post consumer textiles for over 20 European sports and fast-fashion companies at China’s largest recycled cotton spinning mill.

William has been involved in developing and executing customised pre and post-consumer textile recycling programs that effectively provide solutions to the lower quality clothing excess from consumers and unsold excess garment stock into recycled yarn solutions.

With multi-stakeholder and cross-functional management experience, William is involved in managing complex supply chains, including sourcing, logistics and production, to ensure efficient project execution and delivery within budget and timeline. He has developed and implemented robust quality control procedures to ensure high-quality recycled materials.

Joanne Yip, a professor at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), holds a BSc (Hons) in Textile Technology (with first class Honors) and a PhD from the same institution. Her doctoral research focused on Low Temperature Plasma and Excimer Laser Treatments on Polyamide. Before joining PolyU, she worked as a visiting researcher at Rice University in the US, conducting instrumental experiments. Prof. Yip has published over 100 papers in Textile and Material Science Journals. She also has industry experience, having worked in the intimate apparel sector where she gained extensive knowledge of materials, quality requirements, and production techniques. Currently, she serves as Associate Dean and Professor at PolyU, teaching courses on intimate apparel and activewear. Her research interests include functional garments for scoliosis, new materials and technology, surface treatments on textiles, and moulding or seamless techniques used in intimate apparel and activewear.

Le Ngoc-Ha Thu is an award-winning Vietnamese fashion designer who uses in-depth logical analysis and creative thinking to offer innovative design solutions. An observant, vigorous intellect with unhindered imagination, she has the talent for rendering visible abstract concepts into tasteful designs with nuance and subtlety.  In 2020, Thu participated in the Redress Design Award and was the first Vietnamese winner of the competition. Later, she became the representative of Redress in Vietnam and was part of the judging panel for the TAL Mini-challenge in the years 2021 and 2024.

From 2021 to 2024, Thu founded and operated her sustainable menswear label, and showcased her collections in Hong Kong FW and Shenzhen FW, along with other Redress alumni. She was also a public speaker, expert, and educator on sustainable design, making multiple appearances on national television and press to speak on the apparel industry and advocate for circularity in fashion.

Her scope of work extends beyond sustainable fashion: in 2024, Thu cofounded XAVAN Inc. – a design consulting firm that focuses on Vietnamese local systems. Heading for lasting changes, XAVAN Inc. explores, connects, and facilitates Vietnam’s incredible wealth in culture and people.

NORMANMABIRELARGUIER is a new contemporary Couture House based in Paris, founded by designer Norman Mabire-Larguier. Sensitive and radical, NORMANMABIRELARGUIER’s collections result from in-depth formal research and an intimate quest for inner freedom.

The monochromatic and sophisticated silhouettes emphasize the architecture of the garment.

Aimed at private clients, its agender pieces aremade-to-measure from the finest sustainable materials by French artisans renowned for their savoir-faire.

Alfie is COO and operation partner of Style3D, an expert in fashion technology especially for AI, 3D, metaverse & RFID. Previously, he has served in senior level management in various MNC such as Avery Dennison & Siemens, he has expertise to help MNC to land biz in China, and help China startup to go international. Alfie owns master degree in CUHK, and E.E. in Wuhan University.

Fanny Serouart is a Paris-based object designer trained at École Boulle and ENSCI. Since 2020, she has worked independently as a design consultant and CMF expert (Color, Material, Finish) across industries, from automotive to luxury. In 2022, she launched LÉCLISSE, an accessory brand creating “objets-à-porter” that merge leatherwork with vernacular materials and techniques, drawing inspiration from the history of design. Her dual experience in arts & crafts and large-scale industry brings a unique perspective, combining material integrity with cultural heritage. Featured in Emily in Paris, the brand is now expanding into the Asia-Pacific and American markets.

Jane is an experienced professional with an international background in the fashion industry, specializing in sustainable and circular fashion. She has worked in Denmark, Italy, Germany, and the USA, bringing a well-rounded, global perspective to her work. Jane holds a Bachelor of Fashion Design and a Master’s in Fashion Styling from Istituto Marangoni in Milan, Italy. Her expertise spans technical skills like pattern making, high-end tailoring, and costume design, as well as creative disciplines such as fashion styling, graphic design, and brand communication.

For the past eight years, Jane has been a lecturer at leading fashion universities in Milan, sharing her expertise and passion for sustainability with future industry professionals.

Throughout her career, Jane has held various roles across different types of organizations. As an independent contractor, she has shown versatility and innovation. She has also worked in large multinationals like ONLY (Bestseller Group), gaining valuable experience in global operations.

Additionally, Jane has collaborated with prominent artistic institutions like the Houston Ballet. Her dedication to sustainable fashion drives her efforts to promote environmentally responsible practices and foster innovation for a more sustainable future in the fashion industry.

Ken has extensive experience in marketing and public relations. In addition to being the Public Relations Director at #CCCCCc Se/ect, he is also the founder of a company focused on the emerging sports market, with a keen sense of the dynamics in this space. This enables him to gain insights into consumer needs and develop effective communication strategies to enhance brand image.

As the Public Relations Director at #CCCCCc Se/ect, Ken combines his expertise with a sharp insight into market trends, dedicating himself to enhancing the company’s influence in the local market. He continuously explores new promotional channels to foster interaction between the brand and customers, and he is committed to shaping a vibrant and creative brand image to drive sustainable business growth.

Prof. Li Li is a Professor in the Division of Integrative Systems and Design of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and the Fellow of Royal Society of Arts. Prof. Li’s research interests include design thinking, advanced manufacturing, fiber composite materials, structure-based soft matter, and art. Her research has expanded the potential of fibers, a distinctively soft material, beyond their traditional applications into a versatile and powerful interdisciplinary tool benefitting designers and researchers across various disciplines. The design engineering of fibers enables tactile qualities that can evoke emotions and storytelling, allowing immersive and interactive experiences. Thus, revolutionize the creative industry, drive commercial success, and unlock new opportunities for different sectors. Her adoption of design thinking has also provided opportunities to experiment and innovate in areas such as smart technology, material science, and sustainable design, and has found practical value for the domains of design, healthcare, agriculture, archaeology, electronics and life style etc. Furthermore, her research has had successful industrialization and commercialization outcomes on an international scale.

Esterina Nervino is Assistant Professor at the City University of Hong Kong, jointly appointed in the Department of English and the Department of Marketing, for which she is the co-director of the New Frontiers in Professional Communication Lab (NFPC) and Associate Director of the Sales and Marketing Consulting Unit (SMCU) respectively. She is also Cultore della Materia at the Department of Studies on Language and Culture of the Universita’ degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia (Italy), invited External Member of the Research Centre for Professional Communication in English at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, executive committee member and outreach officer of the Asia-Pacific LSP& Professional Communication Association, and core member of the Communicating Sustainabilities network. She holds a PhD in Applied Linguistics from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and her research interests include social semiotics, multimodality, corpus linguistics, sustainability discourse, digital media, cultural development and city brand, professional communication across sectors, including luxury, arts, and finance.

Prior to CityU, Esterina was the Director of Retail in Asia (part of Bluebell Group) in charge of media brand operations including content selection, curation, edition, and commercial strategy. At Bluebell Group she also took on the additional role of Public Relations Lead.

Gina Azaric is a seasoned senior executive, board professional, and thought leader with extensive experience in leading business transformations across telecom, medical technology, food, beauty, and startups in Scandinavia. As a former Chief Marketing Officer and commercial leader, Gina has significantly contributed to the growth and success of several high-profile brands. Her exceptional innovative leadership in building the Three brand and expanding market shares across Scandinavia has earned her the prestigious title of Marketing Manager of the Year and she has been consistently listed among the Best Marketing People, affirming her significant impact and effectiveness in the marketing field.

With a strong focus on sustainability, Gina has promoted initiatives in digitalization, eco-friendly product development, and sustainable branding. She is dedicated to reducing inequalities and promoting inclusion and environmental awareness in the industries she leads.

Gina holds a Bachelor of Science in Business and Economics from Lund University, Sweden, and has pursued studies in Innovation, Tech Entrepreneurship, and AI strategies at Harvard University and Harvard Business School. Her leadership philosophy is grounded in innovation, social responsibility, and creating a meaningful positive impact in both business and society.

In 2017, she founded Yoga for Good to support The Hunger Project, reflecting her belief in the power of community and inner development for social change.

Ms. Chloe Deng is currently the public affairs director of international business at Cainiao Group, Alibaba’s smart logistics arm. As the company’s first overseas government relations expert hired for global expansion, she directs strategic planning for priority markets. She drives effective stakeholder engagement for business growth, strategic partnerships, policy advocacy, and the Group’s significant social impacts. She is now devoted to promoting green supply chain management and sustainability in the region, as well as talent and tech development for e-commerce logistics, empowering the industry to upgrade. She formerly worked in regional advisory roles for over ten years at consulting firms including PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), as well as international trade associations, with career footprints and extensive project experience across Greater China, APEC, and EMEA.

Ms. Deng holds a Master of Journalism from the University of Hong Kong and is a graduate of Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China.