Profashion Master Talk
“PROFASHION” is an abbreviation of “Profession” and “Fashion”. The master talk series aims to inspire students with new perspectives on fashion entrepreneurship and an up-to-date understanding of the fashion industry for career development. We hope to bring new industry insights and perspectives that better prepare our students’ job readiness.
Collaboration with POPCORN
A group of cultural creatives and industry experts, that range from fashion entrepreneurs, brand directors, magazine editors, marketing directors to fashion designers and celebrities, will be invited to share their experiences and views towards the challenges of the digital fashion environment and the future of fashion professionals.
Key Components
· Master Talk (Highlights and full interview)
· Research publication
· Live-streaming broadcast
· Exhibition at STORE by PolyU Fashion Showroom
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@store.polyufashion
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/master_talk_series/
Interviewees
1. Eric So (Creative Director of Papamamason)
• Theme: Between Art and Commercial- The Fashion of Collectibles
Eric So is an renowned artist in Hong Kong. He is also an art toy designer and creative director of Papamamason. He is involved in a collaboration on 'Grendizer VS Mazinger Z'. In this interview, Eric shared about his views on the fashion industry and design journey.
2. Keith Murray and Hanni El Khatib (Chief Operating Officer and Chief Creative Officer of HUF)
• Theme: Skaters into Fashion: The Stories behind HUF
Keith Murray and Hanni El Khatib are the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Creative Officer of HUF respectively. Over the years, HUF brings a strong influence on skateboarding culture and street style. In this interview, the senior executives shared about fashion in skateboarding and the brand story of HUF.
Link: "PROFASHION" Master Talk Series – Interviewing HUF Senior Management Team
3. TIAB (Founder and Designer of 1997's)
• Theme: Fashion Creatives in the Digital Age: The Story of 1997's
TIAB is a Hong Kong artist and founded his private streetwear labels "1997's" and “Project T”. Apart from his music career, TIAB is awarded as “40 under 40” in 2022, an annual celebration of Hong Kong’s most successful, innovative, and influential young people hosted by PRESTIGE Hong Kong. In this interview, TIAB shared his fashion journey on the brand 1997's and how it connects to music.
Link: "PROFASHION" Master Talk Series – Interviewing TIAB
4. Julius Brian Siswojo (Founder of 8FIVE2)
• Theme: Skater Culture and Fashion in Hong Kong
Brian, aka JBS, is the founder of 8FIVE2 and a member of Hong Kong's well-known Hip-hop Band “24herbs”. He is also chairman of “All Hong Kong Skateboards Association” (AHKSA) As an entrepreneur in Hong Kong, Brian is also the founder of Handsome Factory, a renowned chain of barbershop in Hong Kong. In this interview, Brian shared about his relationship with skateboarding and how he promotes it through 8FIVE2.
Link: "PROFASHION" Master Talk Series – Interviewing 8Five2 Founder - Brian JBS
5. Novel Fergus (Founder of YACK Studio)
• Theme: A Fusion of Hip-hop and Street Fashion in Hong Kong
Novel Fergus is the founder of the music label “Yack Studio”. As a creative artist in Hong Kong, Fergus is a rapper, tattooist, model, and fashion entrepreneur. Fergus is also known as a poet in Hong Kong hip-hop music, in which he integrates traditional chinese poems and slang in his lines. In this interview, Fergus shared about his creative journey and how hip-hop change his life.
Link: "PROFASHION" Master Talk Series – Interviewing Novel Fergus
6. Wild Things Japan
• Theme: Between Functions and Fashion: Branding the Urban Outdoor Style
Inspired by military and tactical aesthetics, Wild Things is a LUN urban fashion brand from Japan that leverage fashion and functionality. Mr. Kusaka Naoto, the brand director of WILD THINGS Japan, shares with us on his inspiration on fashion branding and the recent crossover with Open Dialogue, POPCORN.
Link: "PROFASHION" Master Talk Series – Interviewing Wild Things
7. Lafayette
• Theme: Americanization and Fashion Branding – Learning from Lafayette
Being personally drawn to New York-style streetwear, Lafayette is a Japanese fashion brand that embraces quality and fashionability. Mr. Junjiro Kaneko, the founder and CEO of Lafayette, shares with us his journey of turning passion into a successful business.
Link: "PROFASHION" Master Talk Series – Interviewing the founder and CEO of Lafayette
8. NINEpointNINE
• Theme: From functional wear to mainstream, what’s the story behind?
NINEpointNINE is an emerging functional clothing brand from Los Angeles, USA. Adopting technical fabrics and highly-functional design details, NINEpointNINE creates fashionable urban outfits with out-of-bounds styles and excellent quality. The brand name NINEpointNINE (9.9) perfectly reveals its brand philosophy - the pursuit of perfection (from 9.9 to 10).
9. #FR2
• Theme: The Art of Rebellion in Street Fashion Branding: The Worldwide of #FR2
Founded by Mr. Ryo Ishikawa in 2014, #FR2 is a Japanese street fashion label that evolves around a fictitious rabbit photographer. The design of #FR2 has been provocative, which the design of graphic tees, hoodies, and accessories design have been challenging the conventional norms in the fashion industry. With its distinctive fashion viewpoint and innovative pieces, #FR2 has gained popularity in Japan and beyond.
10. PLEASURES
• Theme: Rock it! The Brand Story and Global Business of PLEASURES
Founded in 2015, the LA-based contemporary streetwear brand, PLEASURES is gaining strong popularity for its unique design that blends elements of punk, grunge, and streetwear, reflecting a sense of rebellion and nonconformity to those who value individuality and self-expression.
In addition to its bold brand image, which takes reference to music, pop culture, and countercultural movements, PLEASURES is also known for its high-quality and craftsmanship.
Link: "PROFASHION" Master Talk Series – Interviewing Co-founder of PLEASURES - Mr. Vlad Elkin