Organized since 1987 by the Hong Kong Fur Federation, the Hong Kong Fur Design Competition has always drawn overwhelming response from budding designers. This year, a total of 398 sketches were submitted and 45 designs (26 for the Full Fur Category; 19 for the Fur Combination Category) have been selected for final judging to vie for a number of regular prizes as well as the Creativity Award and the Best Sketch Award.

"At the coming competition we will again be fascinated by how our budding talents and Hong Kong furriers successfully combine vivid ideas with cutting-edge techniques and distinctive craftsmanship to bring out the versatility and flair of modern fur," said Ms. Joanne Chan, Chairlady of Young Executive Committee of the Hong Kong Fur Federation.

Ms. Chan noted that the Hong Kong Fur Design Competition has gained consistent strong support from the local industry in the last two decades, effectively bringing up new crops of young talents and encouraging them to pursue a career in the field.

"Indeed this Competition is a valuable breeding ground for nurturing our new generation of young designer who are bold and daring in finding a new expression for fur. With their continued development and maturity, these up-and-coming talents will provide fresh impetus to the fur industry and enhance Hong Kong¡¦s competitiveness in the global fur market," added Ms. Chan.

This year, the panel of judges is comprised of Consul General of Consulate General of Finland Mr. Timo Rajakangas; International Marketing Director of North American Fur Association Ms. Diane Benedetti; Managing Director of Cyril Murkin (HK) Ltd. Mr. Timothy Everest; fashion designers Mr. Henry Lau and Mr. Barney Cheng; famous TV host Ms. Priscilla Ku; fashion icon Mr. Wyman Wong; as well as Marketing Director of Saga Furs for Hong Kong, China and Korea cum Chairlady of the Hong Kong Fur Federation Ms. Nora Tse.

The Hong Kong Fur Design Competition 2008, to be presented under the theme 'Alice in A Fur Wonderland', will unveil the ingenious creations of the contestants in a world of fantasy. To kick off the four-scene story is ¡¥The Mad Tea House¡¦ ¡V a party of playful fur designs in cheerful colours; while casual fur ensembles in a palette of soft, pastel tones epitomize femininity in the second scene ¡¥The Garden of Live Flowers¡¦. The third scene ¡¥Tweedledum & Tweedledee¡¦ will be predominated by monotone and unisex creations in clean silhouette, to be followed by the last scene ¡¥Queen Alice¡¦ which converges grand evening fur designs in voluminous cut.

Adding glamour and excitement again to the Hong Kong Fur Design Competition this year is the ¡§Designers Love Fur¡¨ epilogue, which will be the grand finale of this annual extravaganza. In the limelight will be renowned Hong Kong designers Ms. Bonita Cheung, Mr. Arthur Lam, Mr. Walter Ma, Mr. Kevin Yeung, Mr. Benny Yeung, Mr. Richard Li and Ms. Lu Lu Cheung, to present their inspiring collections manufactured by members of the Hong Kong Fur Federation.

Every year, the Hong Kong Fur Design Competition receives enthusiastic support from both lecturers and students of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University¡¦s Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Kwai Chung)¡¦s Department of Fashion and Textiles, Clothing Industry Training Authority¡¦s Department of Design and Manufacture and Caritas Bianchi College of Careers¡¦ Department of Fashion and Textiles, as well as members of the Hong Kong Fur Federation.

Ms. Chan attributed the success of this annual competition to the dedicated efforts of all participating members of the Hong Kong Fur Federation for producing fabulous fur garments, as well as support from all sponsors and the judging panel.

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