Walkable Workable

Fashion

Why Is Walk DVRC Getting Into Fashion Design?

Hong Kong continues to get hotter every year due to climate change. People are relying more on-air conditioned spaces for their daily activities and for commuting. The typical “corporate attire” or traditional professional dress code often composes multiple layers of clothing including suits/ jackets, ties, shirts, uncomfortable pants and dress shoes/high heels. Most office workers with strict professional dress codes would turn their air-conditioner colder to compensate for their stuffy outfits, and choose to avoid walking due to uncomfortness and heat which may result in sweaty outfits during summer.

Changing the norm of professional dress code by promoting lighter outfits which are more breathable whilst professional and stylish can have a drastic impact on walking patterns, carbon footprint and health of office workers. Not only will this encourage an active workstyle, but will also reduce the need for air-conditioners in the office environment.

Transportation accounts for 18% of Hong Kong’s total energy use while building operation accounts for 60%. A cut in the use of private vehicles or decreasing the use of public transportation for short-rides can reduce energy consumption, air-pollution, and carbon footprint. These impacts can begin with a simple gesture of wearing lighter outfits daily. Transformation away from traditional professional dress code can therefore have a long-lasting impact for a sustainable future.

“To Encourage Sustainable Mobility and Low-Carbon Work Environments through Fashion Design and by Changing the Way We Dress for Work.”

What Are We Doing?

Design Competition

We will host a fashion design competition to generate design ideas on “Walkable & Workable Fashion” for a professional workplace environment. The idea is to promote a new trend of casual dress code at work so office workers would be encouraged to adopt sustainable mobility habits like walking more and be more comfortable in the office, which then can lead to reduction in energy consumption and carbon footprint.
Any members of the public can enter this fashion design competition. There will be a budget of $20,000 for finalists to produce the 5 selected entries.

Material science and Shop Smart Webinar

Get experts to share about the latest trends or innovative technology in material science and textiles that are advantageous for breathable and active clothing.
Ask “KOLs” (Key-Opinion-Leaders) to share tips on how to look good in Walkable & Workable Fashion.

Fashion Show/Presentation

We will host an in-person Fashion Show/Fashion Presentation at Central Market, where the selected designs from the competition with our volunteer models or KOLs will show-off their designs.

Lookbook Guide to Walkable & Workable Fashion in 2023

In addition to the 5 selected pieces from the competition, Walk DVRC will recruit professional fashion designers and stylists to cover 10 to 20 sets of “mix-and-match” outfits, where some volunteer KOLs and general public will wear these styled outfits to do a professional photoshoot. These looks will be curated into a Lookbook as a guide for corporates, businesses, and office workers who would like to change their professional dress code.

How Are We Spreading The Message?

The Lookbook Guide will be distributed to corporations and businesses. We will also request that these companies make a long-term pledge on changing their company’s dress code. Companies who will join the movement will have their logo(s) displayed on Walk DVRC’s website to show that they have made a commitment to implement the changes, as well as on our various social media platforms (and may also be shared on some of our co-organisers social media or publications).

Rules of the Competition

Submit one outfit that is suitable for walking and working, participants may choose one of the following: 1) including a top piece, a bottom piece and an outerwear/cover-up piece; or 2) including a full-body piece and an outerwear/cover-up.
Outfits can be designed for men, women or to be gender neutral.
Participants should submit an outfit suitable for Hong Kong’s summer climate. Considerations include the high humidity and outdoor temperature , whilst thinking about indoor air-conditioned environments which often require people to put on a jacket or cover-ups.
Draw on the provided A3 template (PDF can be downloaded) and if possible, provide physical material samples chosen for the designed outfit, as well as providing the specifications on the template. If physical material samples cannot be provided, participants are encouraged to show photo samples and specifications on the template. Extra points may be awarded for participants who provide relevant material samples to justify their design submission.
To provide both front and back drawings of your design.
Write a 50-word (Chinese) or 100 word (English) design statement to explain how your design is walkable & workable and suitable for future trends.
You can submit more than one design. Fill in a new application on Google Form and upload a new design.

Judging Criteria

The judges will select 5 most Workable & Walkable Fashion outfits, each submitted design entry will be considered based on the following criteria:.

Comfort
Aesthetic
Innovation
Design Idea / Rationale

Phases

Phase 1 is electronic submission. Applicants need to fill in the google form below and submit one completed A3 PDF using the provided template. Five finalists will be selected.
Phase 2 is production. The five selected outfits will be produced by an external dressmaker. Walk DVRC will work together with the finalists and fashion experts from the industry to turn the submitted designs into reality. Separately, the finalists will also need to provide other outfit ideas for mix-and-match looks for both the Lookbook and Fashion Show/Presentation. The mix-and-match outfits should be inclusive and appropriate for models of various sizes.
Phase 3 is Fashion Presentation at Central Market

Eligibility

This competition is open to anyone interested in Fashion Design. We encourage any members of the public to join the competition. The five finalists must be ready to commit the full process of Phase 1, Phase 2, and the coordination and the production of the Fashion Show/PresentationAll applicants must only submit original work.

Deadline

October 24st 2022 6pm – Phase 1 Submission Deadline

November 16th 2022 – Phase 2 Coordination Deadline and Photo Look Book Deadline

November 30th 2022 – Phase 3 Fashion Presentation at Central Market

Copyright

The designer is the sole owner of the copyright of their fashion design. The design itself must be free of plagiarism or branded logo. The designer can only submit original work. By entering this competition, the designer grants the publishing right to Walk DVRC Limited and all of its co-organizers or supporting organisations to use their design for all physical and digital promotions and publications. There is no extra fee to be paid to the designers and finalists of the competition for the right to publish

Prize

The winner will receive HKD 5000, one winner trophy, and publication opportunity.
All five designs from the finalists will be fabricated for the photoshoot, publication of Lookbook and Fashion Show/Presentation.
Lookbook with design pieces from the finalists will be distributed to various corporations and businesses.

Finalists

Alison Au | Rea Chan | Joseli Cheung | Wendy Lam | Zoé Wong

Alison’s Design won the design competition.

The design aims to bring out a countryside-inspired and relaxed feeling. As a woman myself, I enjoy designing beautiful yet comfortable clothing. Therefore, this design uses exquisite floral cotton fabric, paired with color-coordinated navy-blue cotton fabric, making it not only stand out in color but also breathable and comfortable. In addition, organic cotton fabric will be used as the lining fabric to support environmental protection. In terms of workmanship, this design is a multi-functional garment. The ruffled hem can be detached and used as a scarf or shawl, which is convenient for women who work in air-conditioned environments and need to keep warm for an extended period. The hem of the skirt can also be detached, allowing the skirt to transform from long to short and changing its shape.

Moreover, the loose design and adjustable shoulder straps can also be helpful for pregnant women to wear. From the early stages of pregnancy to the preparation for delivery, a woman’s body shape will undergo significant changes. Therefore, we hope that the flexible design can help expectant mothers adjust as they please.

Our 2023 Walkable Workable Lookbook can be downloaded here:

https://walkdvrc.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2023-walkable-lookbook.pdf