Fiona POON wanted to bridge the gap between sustainable fashion and consumer interest. She discovered that high costs often discouraged eco-friendly choices, so she added emotional value by designing a unique IP character for her products. Alongside Rita Wong and Amy Ng, Fiona’s team won first runner-up at the Open Lab Global Challenge. The project made her aware of Hong Kong’s fashion waste problem and the need for responsible business practices. With support from Professor Magnum Lam and industry experts, Fiona learned to balance commercial and sustainable goals. As a first-year student, she gained hands-on experience in business, character design, and 3D modeling, expanding her skills and inspiring her to pursue meaningful innovation in fashion.