Fashion is a creative journey that never stops. It is not just a pursuit of aesthetics but also a fusion of culture, sustainability, and technology. When a designer's inspiration meets unique materials, infinite possibilities emerge. Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Fashion InStyle will make its grand debut on April 27, 2025, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The new exhibition area, "NEXT@Fashion InStyle," features Han Chong, the founder of the renowned brand Self-Portrait, as the consultant. He will lead five Hong Kong designers in collaborating with five innovative materials, redefining the future of fashion with revolutionary material applications.
Designer Johnson Chong will share how he incorporates the outdoor functional material X-Pac® into urban everyday clothing, showcasing a unique fashion aesthetic.
In recent years, outdoor fashion trends like Urban Outdoor and Gorpcore have swept the globe, transforming traditionally professional outdoor clothing into stylish designs that combine functionality and comfort. These garments are designed to adapt to outdoor environments while allowing for ease of movement in urban settings.
Local designer Johnson Chong, the founder of the brand Yamaguest, has embraced this trend. The brand name Yamaguest is derived from "Yama" (やま), which means mountain or hill in Japanese, and "Guest" (ゲスト), meaning visitor or guest. This reflects the idea that when you immerse yourself in nature, you become a "mountain guest," with designs that cater to both outdoor and urban living needs.
Speaking about the design theme this time, Johnson stated, "The concept stems from my research into functionality and aesthetics, suitable for Hong Kong urban life while incorporating elements of outdoor clothing design. In simple terms, it's a combination of functional and fashionable, creating highly functional and lightweight garments." Johnson has always been passionate about exploring various functional materials in outdoor apparel. However, since Yamaguest targets the mass-market segment, he rarely has the opportunity to use professional-grade materials. Through participation in NEXT@Fashion InStyle, he finally has the chance to showcase his skills by selecting professional-grade functional materials. While materials like Dyneema, CORDURA, and SOLOTEX are available in the market, he has a particular fondness for X-Pac®, using it as the core material for this series of designs.
What makes X-Pac® so appealing to Johnson? X-Pac® is a high-performance material developed by Dimension-Polyant, specifically designed for outdoor and extreme environments. This material is renowned for its lightweight, high strength, and waterproof properties, with a distinctive diamond-pattern texture that makes it easily recognizable.
"Having previously designed backpack products, X-Pac® is commonly used in outdoor bags and even sailing gear. This time, I hope to achieve a breakthrough by combining X-Pac® with other functional materials for application in clothing design," Johnson explained.
The uniqueness of X-Pac® is also stands out for its flexibility and adaptability Fashion accounts for 60% of the proportion. Its lightweight nature allows users to feel almost no burden, making it ideal for long outdoor activities. Additionally, its high-strength fibers can withstand abrasion and tearing in rugged environments. Johnson applies X-Pac® in his clothing designs, pushing the boundaries of traditional materials while aligning with his philosophy of "human-centered design." X-Pac® is not only waterproof but also offers excellent breathability, ensuring comfort even in Hong Kong's humid climate.
In addition to being durable and waterproof, stain resistance and stability are two other significant advantages of X-Pac®. The laminated structure helps maintain its shape and resist deformation, which is particularly important in clothing design. This allows for high functionality without compromising on stylish silhouettes, perfectly reflecting Johnson's design philosophy: " Fashion drives 60% of the design, with functionality contributing 40%. This reflects a growing trend in modern fashion design."
Event advisor Han Chong has provided valuable insights to Johnson, especially regarding the application of materials. The opportunity to prioritize "design over cost" is rare, allowing for the realization of bolder ideas.
Due to the different styles of X-Pac®, Johnson focuses on two models for this collection: VX07 and LS21. "VX07 is a composite fabric with a cross-pattern fiber grid, making it more rigid and abrasion-resistant. LS21, on the other hand, is lighter and thinner. It combines both types of X-Pac®, enhancing the design flexibility of the series." The printed patterns use 3Layer fabric, which is commonly used for waterproof and breathable materials, but mixing it with X-Pac® is relatively rare. Johnson transforms his past backpack design experience into clothing, presenting it through fashion design techniques. "I hope to solve everyday problems people encounter through clothing design."
Johnson's outdoor functional collection will be showcased from April 27 to 30, 2025, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, with a highlight appearance on the evening of April 28 during the NEXT@Fashion InStyle Fashion Parade.
“Fashion InStyle”