Young people driving hanfu revival in daily life find self-identity in Hong Kong

Chan's love for hanfu is also a path of exploring herself and a way to approach her dreams.

"Instead of imitating people as what I used to do, I have jumped out of my comfort zone and found the style that suits me best," Chan added. "Through hanfu, I have found myself and so many unexplored things in my life."

Chan said she had found her lifelong passion through hanfu, which is a goal and dream that has never been absent from her life. "Hanfu means a lot to me. It is second only to myself."

Chan appreciates the openness and inclusiveness of Hong Kong, an east-meet-west hub for international arts and cultural exchanges.

The picture of hanfu lovers like Chan wearing this outfit can be seen on Hong Kong's iconic modern skylines on some special occasions including traditional Chinese festivals or western holidays such as Christmas.

"Hanfu in combination with Hong Kong is an extraordinary fusion of fashion," Chan said.

The teenage Chan found she was not alone after falling in love with hanfu, which, though, seemed like a fringe subculture in Hong Kong back then. In later years, some internet-savvy young people, feeling a need to belong, have shared their interest in the traditional clothing by forming a group to facilitate communications and promote better public understanding of hanfu in Hong Kong.

The group, with over 200 members now, was expanded to a registered society called "Hanfu-Hong Kong" in 2013. More and more Generation Z resistant to homogenization in the modern world joined the group and took their first step by introducing the niche culture through a variety of activities.