Saskia Baur-Schmid is the Melbourne-based founder and conscious creative behind the emerging slow fashion label Hyph-n.

Having been introduced to sewing by her grandmother as a child, Saskia went on to study at the Whitehouse Institute, Melbourne and completed her BA in Fashion Design as ‘Designer of the Year’.

She thereafter re-trained internationally as a fashion stylist before returning to Australia where her work has been exhibited in the National Gallery of Victoria, and Arts of Fashion Design Showcase in the USA.

She went on to establish her label Hyph-n in 2019 with the aims to disrupt and reimagine the way fashion is designed and made by challenging the relationships we have with our clothes.

The label is focused on sustainable fabrics, the premise of minimum impact, and works on a made to order model to eliminate waste in the production process.

The brand focuses on zero waste pattern cutting, modern silhouettes and challenging the aesthetics of sustainable fashion by creating new appreciation of traditional craftsmanship but doing so in a way that won’t break the planet.

Her work has more recently been shortlisted as a semi-finalist for both the 2020 and 2021 Redress Design Award and as a finalist in the 2020 Sustainable Biennial Design Festival (AU).

RemakeHUB is a social enterprise; it provides a unique service of redesigning and repurposing your unwanted garment into new and useful items.

Sissi has been living in UK, US and Australia for more than 15 years, she has achieved a joint master degree in Economies and Business in St Andrews University (UK), a Master degree in International Business in London school of economics and political science (UK), and an MBA degree in Duke University Fuqua Business School (USA).

Sissi started her career in management consulting in Accenture (Beijing) and then became the chief representative of Mouzenidis Group, which is the largest tourism company in Greece.

Now, Sissi has returned to China and started her own environmental-friendly garment remaking company. Sissi is a true fashion lover and she believes that fashion is too far precious to end up in the landfill. Her dream is to save the natural resources, reduce the negative impact of environment, and help the unemployed and disabled in the society.

Sissi is a very sustainable and energetic person. She has travelled more than 48 countries, and loves scuba diving, sky diving and horse riding. She is a vegetarian and loves low-carbon lifestyle. Her favourite books are related to psychology and quantum theory.

Key words: Environmental-friendly | Green fashion | Social entrepreneur | Traveller | Thinker | Creator | Adventurer

Margaux Rusita is a Guyanese-Burundian sustainable jewellery designer based in Burundi, East Africa. Her company, Margaux Wong, is an innovative and sustainable brand that transforms cow horn and brass into luxurious wearable art.

Rusita has been passionately working as an ethically driven designer for more than 18 years and her designs are heavily influenced by everyday experiences.

As a creative director, she constantly works with her team to produce uniquely distinguished artisan jewellery using sometimes-tedious traditional techniques. Over the years, she has mentored hundreds of young designers in Burundi, passing on a wealth of learnings and techniques in sustainable design

I am Meiyan Chan, a sustainable fashion designer based in Hong Kong. I am the winner of the Redress Design Award 2019 Hong Kong Best Runner-up Prize. I studied Fashion Design at ESMOD Paris and work as a ready-to-wear and evening wear designer across Hong Kong, China & US. My designs are aiming at novelty, versatility and longevity. I believe ‘you are what you wear, your choice of garment should represent who you are, your style, your personality and your ethic. Currently, I am the designer for R-collective, meanwhile working on my next collection & producing videos to promote sustainable fashion.

Jesse Lee launched an upcycled Denim collection in 2020 with The R Collective transforming select Levi’s®️ aged inventory and irregular and leftover samples in a creative design effort to prolong denim’s lifespan. 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. He holds a degree in Fashion Design from Kingston University (UK) and is currently studying a MA program in Menswear in University of Westminster (London, UK).

CONTACT

IG: leepocheung thercollective.com/blogs/r-stories/meet-the-designer-jesse-lee

William built his career in the advertising industry in Hong Kong. He joined Hong Kong Design Centre in2005 and was responsible for their flagship events –Business of Design Week (BODW), Knowledge of Design Week (KODW) and Design for Asia Awards (DFAA 2006-08).In Aug 2012, while retaining his role as a senior consultant to Hong Kong Design Centre, William joined PMQ –a newly launched creative site for design entrepreneurs. Since its opening in2014, PMQ has recorded 19million visitors and quickly became a new destination of our city.

BONNY KWAN serves as Associate Director, Supply Chain Marketing Asia at Cotton Incorporated. She is responsible for identifying opportunities, managing activities and relationships with key global sourcing companies, brands and retailers in Hong Kong for influencing their pro cotton product decisions. Prior to joining Cotton Incorporated in 2008, she was a lecturer providing tertiary education in fashion retailing and marketing at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. She also had experience working with Marks & Spencer (Asia Pacific) Ltd. She earned a BA and PhD in Textile and Clothing Marketing from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Morgane oversees the education facet of Redress’ flagship programme, the Redress Design Award. Trained as a chemist and holding an MSc from the French Textile Engineering School ENSAIT, she has a deep understanding of materials in general and a strong knowledge in textiles. She has over 8 years of experience in the apparel industry with companies such as Adidas and PVH, holding positions in sourcing, product development and more recently product & digital innovation. A certified Design Thinking practitioner with IDEO U and a firm believer that sustainable practices are the only future possible, Morgane is driven by creating human-centric innovative solutions that generate positive impact. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge and pushing the sustainability agenda.

A creative visionary, sartorial stylist and mes fashion doyen, Mass Luciano helms MASSBRANDED with the confidence and passion of a seasoned industry veteran. An alumni of the Fashion Institute of Design in Los Angeles, Mass spent 15 years cutting his teeth designing womenswear, menswear and kids for culturally influential brands like GUESS, Rock & Republic by Victoria Beckham, Joe’s Jeans, Urban Outfitters, Hurley and RVCA. Prior to starting his eponymous menswear label, Mass’s love of form and fashion led to styling for Esquire, Hugo Boss and Shanghai Tang where he was lauded for his cutting-edge high and low fashion mash-ups. This pioneer of street fashion for the modern man has his sights set for growth.

Hailing from Puerto Rico, with stints in Germany, Italy and Los Angeles, Mass has now made Hong Kong his home. Raised on military bases across the U.S. and Germany Mass’s nomadic upbringing gave rise to his entrepreneurial energy. His early exposure to military life, a passion for Oscar Niemeyer and Frank Lloyd Wright plus a deep appreciation for the human form later informed the structure and craft of his designs.

A thoughtful approach to fashion and freedom defines his out-of-the-box thinking. His infectious energy permeates all aspects of his life from his dedication to the brand, to his advocacy work as Mr. Gay World 2015 and as a Red Ribbon Ambassador for Aids Concern. With a clear point-of-view, niche target market, industry acumen and commercial mentality, MASSBRANDED won Lane Crawford’s “The Next New” award winning Best New Menswear Brand 2016. In 2018, MASSBRANDED was invited to join Hong Kong’s coveted FASHION INCUBATOR, awarded to ardent fashion talents and brands.

Mass’s drive, determination and designs continue to inspire confidence in media and luxury retailers in Hong Kong and around the world.

Mr. Will Li is the Senior Exhibitions Manager of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). In this position, he is responsible for organising HKTDC’s international trade fairs for a variety of industry sectors, including electronics and smart city, fashion and garment, toys and baby products, stationery goods, printing and packaging, housewares and home textiles, as well as optical goods.

Since joining the HKTDC in 1997, Mr. Li has worked in various HKTDC departments. He was also posted to New York Office and Los Angeles Office, overseeing the United States market from 2003-2006. From 2015-2016, he was appointed as the Senior Product Promotion Manager, being in charge of the Council’s activities of promoting Hong Kong’s mainstream consumer products as well as helping SMEs pioneer into the emerging markets. From 2017-2018, he was appointed as the Senior Service Promotion Manager, being responsible for the supervision and implementation of the Council’s activities of promoting and developing Hong Kong’s international trade in services featuring infrastructure and real estate services, logistics and maritime services, and licensing.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Mr. Li graduated from the Chinese University of Hong Kong with a Bachelor of Business Administration.

Director of My Fashion International Limited

Designer Mountain Yam’s personal design mission is to remind people that the world is big, vibrant and full of inspiration. Yam graduated with a master’s degree in fashion design from the Institute of Textiles and Clothing at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and received certificates from the Fashion Institute of Technology and Parsons School of Design in New York.

In 2014, Yam was recognised as one of the “Next Generation of Design Talent – 40 under 40” by Perspective Magazine. In 2015, Yam received a Dynamic Style Icon Award from Jessica Code Magazine, followed by a Hong Kong Designer Award from Jessica Magazine in 2016. In 2018, Yam was selected to represent the city as part of the Belt and Road International Young Fashion Designers Showcase Tour.

Yam loves to explore the world. Through his adventures in different parts of the world, new cultural elements can be brought into his designs and inspire his customers. Apart from fashion, he also loves art & design, architecture, travel, culture & lifestyle, food & drink, fitness & pet, etc.

Felicity Northeast is the creator and owner of Felicity Northeast Millinery, a small designer headwear label which was established in 2009. Felicity Northeast Millinery features traditional millinery techniques, contemporary design and upcycled materials. Stylish, luxe millinery which fuses fashion and function with sophisticated modern headwear. The headwear is designed and hand made to the highest standard to ensure longevity and quality.

A core focus of Felicity Northeast Millinery is to create elegant, contemporary designs which feature up-cycled, vintage, and deadstock materials. Since 2009 many sustainable practices have been incorporated into Felicity Northeast Millinery including, made to measure, working with ethical suppliers, providing alterations and reducing waste. The label continues to pursue incorporating ethical and sustainable design and practices.

Hats and headpieces are created for all occasions: casual hats, race wear, headbands, fascinators and bridal millinery. A ready to wear headwear collection is available as well as a made to order, personalised bespoke service.

Awards

Winner of The Millinery Association of Australia Design Award, 2017, 2016 (finalist 2018)

2014 Myer Fashions on the Field overall winner, VRC Flemington, wore Felicity Northeast Millinery

Runner up Myer Fashion on the field, Professional Millinery Award, Flemington 2009 and finalist 2016,2019

Winner of Melbourne Racing Club Professional Millinery Award, Caulfield, 2017, 2016 and 2015

Winner of Melbourne Racing Club Professional Millinery Award, Mornington, 2015

Numerous Fashions on the Field winners across Australia have worn Felicity Northeast Millinery

Outstanding student award Kangan Institute, 2009