OUR STORY
2021
The School Uniform Dilemma
In Hong Kong, hundreds of thousands of school uniforms are discarded annually as students outgrow them, while underprivileged families struggle to afford new ones. Dress Green founders Emma Yu and Victor Pang identified this paradox: unwanted uniforms with nowhere to go, and needy students without proper attire.
Facing rejection from recycling centers, the determined founders bridged schools with master tailors, giving each uniform a “second life.”
Beginnings: A 200-sq.ft Room in Kowloon Bay
After receiving support from PolyU Microfund and completing five months of intensive training with over 100 stakeholder interviews, they were selected for Hong Kong Design Centre’s “Design Incubation Programme (DIP).”
In the 200-sq.ft space at Room 609, Clothing Industry Training Authority (Kowloon Bay), they established Dress Green’s core model: transforming old uniforms into school-themed upcycled products.
The Curtain Shop Grandmas Become “Key Players”
Needing skilled seamstresses, Emma discovered talented elderly women in local curtain shops – seasoned experts hidden in plain sight.
These “forgotten masters” became Dress Green’s first upcycling task force. Borrowing sewing machines from CITAC, they delivered the first batch of upcycled products on schedule.
Birth of UNI Bear
A primary school’s 50th anniversary order inspired the signature creation: dressing teddy bears in alumni uniforms. The first UNI Bear carrying school memories was born.
“UNI” represents both Uniform and Unique. These uniform-clad bears preserve institutional heritage while becoming cherished keepsakes.
Emma designed UNI Bear with fluffy fur, round belly and endearing posture – each bear a vessel of campus stories. This innovation captured hearts and defined the brand’s direction.
2022
Pivoting During Adversity: UNI Green Evolution
When the fifth COVID wave halted school collaborations, Dress Green faced its biggest crisis. During six stagnant months, Emma and Victor pivoted to corporate partnerships.
A sportswear brand collaboration revealed their epiphany: material recycling is just the beginning; true sustainability requires mindset transformation. Thus, UNI Green was born – featuring upcycling workshops, sustainable product design and environmental education.
This interactive platform helps institutions transform old uniforms while shifting mindsets, becoming Dress Green’s flagship program.
2023
Introducing Long-Leg Bear
Expanding to a 500-sq.ft Lai Chi Kok office with professional equipment and PolyU’s laser cutting technology, Dress Green significantly increased production capacity for larger-scale upcycling projects.
The UNI Bear family welcomed Long-Leg Bear – with slender limbs and hanging legs perfect for dresses. Its youthful design became UNI Bear’s new ambassador, complemented by new customization services.
Within two years, Dress Green earned prestigious accolades: Green Award (HK Smart Design Awards), DFA Design for Good Award (Merit) and SG Mark (Sustainable Design) with Special Mention – marking its international debut.
2024
Expanding Impact
Dress Green created more silver-hair employment while partnering with three Hong Kong sheltered workshops to train mentally rehabilitated individuals.
Launching www.uni-bear.com and a month-long pop-up at AIRSIDE (Kai Tak), we showcased UNI Green collections alongside products made by rehabilitated individuals, combining retail with sustainability workshops.
Annual honors included: FSES New Social Enterprise Award, Silver Award (HK Red Cross upcycled jackets) and Bronze Award (Brooks Brothers 205th Anniversary Collection). Founder Emma was named Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia (Social Impact).
2025
Breaking New Ground
Introducing Eco-Mat from shredded textiles and expanding downcycling services, Dress Green ensured every fabric scrap gets utilized.
Supported by HKEX Foundation and Social Innovation Fund, we have created more opportunities for elderly and rehabilitated workers. Moving to an 800-sq.ft San Po Kong studio, we won the Bronze at the Deignan Awards (Hong Kong-Macau region).
Each advancement brings them closer to empowering vulnerable communities through sustainable design, fostering social inclusion where environmental values take root.
MISSION
We promote sustainable development by:
Designing
sustainable products and services
Repurposing
waste into resources
Empowering
individuals and communities
VISION
To be the leading Change Maker on driving sustainability through creativity
VALUE
We embrace Empathy, in which we understand what other people feel, and imagine ourselves in their place.
We embrace Equity, in which we avoid the action of one generation compromising the well-being of the next generation.
We embrace Togetherness, in which we value diversity, respect each other, and draw strengths from our differences.
JOIN US NOW AND TAKE ACTION FOR SUSTAINABILITY!
