School of Continuing and Professional Studies The Chinese University of Hong Kong eNewsletter

Is there anything similar between engineering and fashion design? Yes, maybe. They both develop or create something from scratch. Xu Jianjun, a student of Higher Diploma in Fashion Design and Business who won the CUSCS Fashion Show 2015, may be able to tell you precisely the similarities between these two professions. Once an engineer, Jianjun decided to switch tracks and receive formal design training, with an aim to set up his own brand of leather products.

Jianjun completed his master's degree and worked as an engineer in the Mainland for five years before coming to Hong Kong to train as a designer at CUSCS. "I just happened to have a taste of leather art then I fell in love with it. The more leather products I made, the more I felt I lacked formal training in design. I wanted to set up my own brand so I decided to quit my job and came to Hong Kong," Jianjun shared what made him decide to go back to school.

At the CUSCS Fashion Show 2015 held on 6 July at the Hong Kong Conference and Exhibition Centre, Jianjun scooped the Champion and the Jeanswest Creativity Award. Themed as "Zip Zip Zip", his winning collection uses zip magically - handbags can easily be unzipped and turned into a chic vest or jacket. "I want to produce something with dual purposes so I use zippers as a tool," Jianjun explained. He thanked the School for offering a comprehensive curriculum and lecturers for their dedicated support. After the summer holidays, Jianjun will begin his undergraduate study in design to realise his dream to develop his own brand.

Other winners of the Fashion Show include Ho Ling-wai (first runner-up), Chow Hiu-ching (HKFDA Best collection Award), Lee Yeuk-wa (The Hong Kong Chinese Textile Mills Association Best Marketability Award), Fu Pan (Best Use of Color Award) and Tsang Shuk-chun (Hong Kong Accessories Designers Association Limited Best Accessory Award).