Apparel Disrupt

DBS BusinessClass Apparel Disrupt was successfully held on November 6 with over 300 participants. The event focused on the industry’s pain points, it gathered local experts and leaders to share their insights on how technology turn around and reduce risks. Both internationally renowned brand and Hong Kong local industries succeeded in turning recyclable wastes into useful materials.

Mr. Alex Cheung, Managing Director, Head of Institutional Banking Group, DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, mentioned that DBS BusinessClass was established almost three years ago with over 150,000 members across Asia at present. BusinessClass would continue to organise online and offline events that promote revolutionary innovation ideas as all industries had been significantly altered by technological advancement. The core mission of BusinessClass was to conduct Disrupt events of different themes to engage participants to learn about the challenges and opportunities for the industry.

From market pain points to the future of textile industry

Mr. Edwin Keh, CEO of The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited (HKRITA) mentioned that HKRITA and H&M ventured on a four-year partnership to develop technologies using chemical and biological processes to break down the components of garments made with blended materials to recover the raw materials. They achieved a breakthrough last year and successfully developed a hydrothermal treatment by using high temperature and pressure to break down materials. The technique not only did cause no detriment to the original material but also required no large amount of chemicals that would otherwise cause pollution. Additionally, biological techniques could be applied to achieve the similar results.
Ms. Hanna Hallin, Sustainability Manager, H&M Greater China, explained how H&M, as a leading fashion enterprise, demonstrated concern for as well as attention to sustainable development. She pointed out that H&M’s goal of 100% recycling and reusing was to fulfil its social responsibility so as to leverage the company’s impact to induce the industry together with consumers to focus on environmental preservation and sustainable development.

Mr. Stanley Szeto, Chairman of Hong Kong Textile Council and CEO of Lever Style Inc, shared his thoughts on the current headline of the US-China trade war. He summarised the reasons that caused the confrontation between the two countries and explained the unpredictability of the duration of the trade war based on current conditions.

Mr. Alex Cheung, Managing Director, Head of Institutional Banking Group of DBS Bank(Hong Kong) delivered a welcome speech for the event.

There were two eye-opening fashion shows featuring sustainable fashion by local designers echoing the theme of Disrupt.

If you are interested to know more about the event, pleae download event guidebook.