Meet These Outstanding Young Designers From SCAD Hong Kong’s 2019 Showcase

The Savannah College of Art and Design is known for its top-rated graduate fashion program

By Annabelle Fernandez - published 22 Jan 2019

SCAD Hong Kong showcased its students’ best work in a dynamic and interactive presentation format. The high-key fashion event took place in the university campus which was also the former North Kowloon Magistracy building in Sham Shui Po. Making full creative use of its original architecture, the establishment itself is a source of inspiration for students, who also love the fact that all of the disciplines offered can also be found in one building.

The fashion showcase kickstarted in the unconventional setting of a Courtroom (where jail cells were very much kept intact) before guests got to explore the 52 designs on showcase throughout the building. Over 400 of Hong Kong’s industry guests were wowed by the standard of design by SCAD students during the outdoor finale runway walk, including renowned Hong Kong supermodel Kathy Chow.

The designs on the runway more than meet industry standards and is a testament to the university's exceptional curriculum and commitment to grooming market-ready design talents.

Of course, we had to meet the 3 promising young fashion designers who were selected to represent the best talent from SCAD’s senior year students.

Cheryl Ma’s collection, ‘RISE’, is inspired by fungi and its ability to continue to grow despite adversity. Drawn to texture and emphasizing tactile sensations, Cheryl played with complex layers and designed her own prints. The collection incorporated crystals donated by Swarovski to add a layer of dimension and to symbolize the idea of glowing in the dark. With the level of detail and workmanship, it is not surprising that Cheryl took 8 months to complete ‘RISE’.

Maria Nava, who was originally from Mexico and now based in Hong Kong, impressed the crowd with her futuristic collection ‘GREEN’, inspired by German Expressionism, specifically Otto Dix and Felixmüller paintings, and the triadic ballet by Oskar Schlemmer.

Maria wanted to achieve an ‘ugly but interesting’ collection that explored outrageous shapes and odd silhouettes, each piece conveyed the mood of the German Expressionist period, including one that was a mix of 1920s-inspired soldier uniforms and wedding gowns.

Tammi Lau abstract and psychedelic collection, Windaholic, was inspired by the movement of wind and its symbolic meanings. Windaholic creates a psychedelic mirage using neoprene fabrics, digital printing techniques and crystal embellishment sponsored by Swarovski.