Hong Kong Design Centre

The value of apprenticeship has long been recognised for passing on skills and experience and preserving traditions across various businesses, while mentorship focuses on nurturing and guiding young talents. Both approaches may serve different aims, yet they have one common objective: building a trusting and learning partnership between a veteran and a novice.

Under Design Incubation Programme (DIP) and Fashion Incubation Programme (FIP), incubatees would enjoy mentorship consultation or business clinic on a regular basis. They also have opportunities to meet with design masters including the legendary master of shoe design - Prof Jimmy Choo OBE and his protégé Illiza Ho who hosted a sharing on mentorship with DIP and FIP incubatees at DIP CITA Centre on 4 December. 

Prof Jimmy Choo OBE shared the common apprenticeship in Chinese society, “The Chinese always say teaching protégé only 80% and keeping 20% for mentor's own self. So I wouldn't teach you 100%, only 80%. 20% is kept for myself.” But he refused to follow the old path. "If you are good enough, you are always good."

Illiza Ho, whose talent was spotted by Prof Jimmy Choo OBE in 2011 as his assistant designer, also shared her experience to the incubatees. Trained by himself, she is continually soaking up new ideas from her travel with her mentor to different countries. Illiza described her mentor, "He is a real tough designer. He knows the whole process of making (his work)."

All attending incubatees were greatly inspired by the sharing, with a fruitful discussion exchange with the design masters.

 DIP and FIP aim to nurture design startup companies and assist them to meet the challenges during their business development. Throughout the programme, graduates may have formed lasting relationships with the mentors who set them on the road to success.

Prof Jimmy Choo OBE and his protégé Illiza Ho who hosted a sharing on mentorship with DIP and FIP incubatees at DIP CITA Centre on 4 December.