Organized by Redress, students from the MA in Sustainable Fashion and Innovation programme at the School of Fashion and Textiles (SFT) at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) embarked on an educational trip to Dongguan, China on 19 Nov 2024. This trip provided students with the opportunity to follow the supply chain operations from fibre to finished garment, exploring two of the world’s largest suppliers of innovative knitwear for global brands: UPW Yarn Mill, one of the world’s largest woolen yarn suppliers, and Jiafa Fashion Co. Ltd., a leading woolen sweater OEM manufacturer.
UPW, established in 1984 in Hong Kong, has consistently led the industry in producing design-led luxury yarn collections that prioritize sustainability and vibrant color palettes. The company offers a diverse range of yarns, including woollen-spun, semi-worsted, and fancy twisted varieties, all meticulously crafted at their state-of-the-art facilities in Dongguan. By conducting all dyeing and spinning processes in-house, UPW ensures superior quality and consistency. Committed to environmental protection and sustainable development, UPW actively pursues carbon neutrality and innovates in technological advancements and product research, contributing positively to the global green supply chain. During this visit, students gained valuable insights into eco-friendly yarns, traceable animal fibers, reverse osmosis wastewater treatment, and other environmental initiatives.
The second visit was to Jiafa Fashion Co. Ltd., which specializes in woolen sweater OEM manufacturing. This experience provided students with a comprehensive understanding of the clothing production and supply chain. Under the guidance of industry experts, students observed the processes involved in production, supply, packaging, and transportation, gaining practical insights into the operations of the fashion industry.
