The YDC final will take place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 14 January 2014, when the 16 designers will compete for three awards, namely "Contemporary Day-wear Group Winner", "Party & Evening-wear Group Winner" and the "Overall Winner."

Paris designer Véronique Leroy is cordially invited to be the VIP Judge for this year’s YDC. She will come to Hong Kong to attend the final and exchange her invaluable views and creative concepts with the finalists. Véronique Leroy worked with tailor-made clothing and footwear designer, Azzedine Alaïa, and eminent master class designer, Martine Sitbon.

Véronique created her own brand and engraved her code in 1991. From 2004 to 2011, she was consultant stylist in maison Léonard. Since 2010, she has also been working for the nomadic/urban/luxury designer brand MUS. Véronique develops a singular construction for the garment: slight intervals, subtle fragilities in the equilibrium, a semblance of morphological unevenness.

Her volumes, structured and refined, stuck out and breathing, lead to freedom of the body and dynamism. Her signature stems from this energising neo- classical conception that rejects “decorative” purposes, subterraneously nourished by a Couture touch.

Ocher, oxidized gold, faux-black and blue-black become emblems. Her brand is carried by a high-end selection of multi-brand shops all over the world, such as Le Bon Marché in Paris, Quartier 206 in Berlin, D-Mop in Hong Kong, Beams in Tokyo and Opening Ceremony in New York.

A Strong Judging Panel

In addition to the VIP Judge Véronique Leroy, this year's YDC has also invited senior representatives of the industry and the media as well as local designers to be the panel members, presenting a strong judging panel.

Headed by the chief judge, The Hon. Shirley Chan, Chairman of HKTDC Garment Advisory Committee, other panel members include Gaku Mizoguchi, representative from Parco Co Ltd in Japan, local designer Johanna Ho; K.K. Yip, Director of Creative & Business Development, D-mop; Dee Poon, Chief Executive Officer of China Retail, Esquel Enterprises Ltd., and Edith Cheung, Director of Textile Division, Jin Ze Arts Centre.

Their judging criteria are based on the creativity and originality, marketability, workmanship, suitability, the use of fabrics, and the overall appeal of the finalists’ work for selection of the final winners.

Dee Poon, Chief Executive Officer of China Retail, Esquel Enterprises Ltd. said that each contestant's fashion series is unique and extraordinary, which has given an eye-opening experience to all the judges. She mentioned that a small number of the entries seemed to be produced just in time for the semi-final. Designers need to grasp the days before the final to do all the finishing works for the flaws.

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Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)