DIGITAL SERIES

Genderless clothing has moved from niche to mainstream, as brands and designers strive to make their creations more inclusive. Derek Chan, an early adopter of gender-neutral fashion and founder of cult label DEMO, sits down with renowned stylist Mayao to discuss the difference between genderless fashion and unisex fashion, and what it means to the Gen Z consumer while decoding the transformative power of clothing.

About Derek Chan

Founded by Hong Kong designer Derek Chan in 2014, DEMO is a fashion label that redefines masculinity and femininity, dismantles gender boundaries and brings together philosophy and poetry in designs created to defy expectations. The aesthetics and attitude exuded in Chan’s work are beyond imagination. The brand’s signature style of soft masculinity is brought to life with handmade embellishments and embroidery, rich textiles such as tweed, and classical elements which are contrasted with contemporary styling to subvert stereotypes.

About Mayao Ma

“Mayao” as he is known to his legions of followers, started out as a fashion and beauty influencer. He later went on to establish his own creative agency Fame Glory Productions, through which he collaborates with high profile brands such as Givenchy and Charlotte Tilbury. His penchant for experimentation and pushing gender stereotypes earns him a spot on multiple “best dressed” lists. He also styles Hong Kong’s biggest names in music and film including Aaron Kwok, Eason Chan and Jay Chou.

About Alex Lam

As a second-generation member of one of Hong Kong’s most prominent entertainment families, music has always formed a core part of Alex Lam’s life. After releasing his debut album in 2012, he became the new darling of major brands and advertisers, working with global fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Versace, Christian Dior, Loewe and many more. Alex is also an actor and founder of social media talk show, Le FISHTANK, which covers performance arts, fashion trends and music.

Digital artist Ruby 9100M started out in the industry as an influencer, but later found herself delving into the world of 3D graphic design. A strong believer in the power of digital fashion, she works closely with brands to create virtual avatars that challenge how we wear, buy and experience fashion. She explains the concept of virtual avatars and why NFTs (non-fungible tokens) are the next frontier for luxury brands.

About RUBY 9100M

RUBY 9100M is a digital artist in Hong Kong. Her virtual identity, also known as RUBY 9100M, is a trans-human digital being that is pushing the boundaries of reality and digital ingenuity. Her creativity and persona have garnered respect across multiple industries leading her to collaborations with fashion and tech magazines, brands, artists and galleries.

Ruby has become a self-evolving identity of her creator’s vision and a symbol for an open, accepting and visionary digital future.

About Alex Lam

As a second-generation member of one of Hong Kong’s most prominent entertainment families, music has always formed a core part of Alex Lam’s life. After releasing his debut album in 2012, he became the new darling of major brands and advertisers, working with global fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Versace, Christian Dior, Loewe and many more. Alex is also an actor and founder of social media talk show, Le FISHTANK, which covers performance arts, fashion trends and music.

As co-founder of men’s wear purveyor, The Armoury, entrepreneur Alan See has helped bring the art of traditional men’s tailoring to the next generation. Armed with impeccable style, taste and a passion for craftsmanship, he is also a strong advocate for skilled artisans who are in danger of being forgotten against the backdrop of a fast-evolving men’s wear market. He talks about modernising tailoring for a new customer and true value behind a beautifully made suit.

About Alan See

Alan See co-founded The Armoury, Hong Kong’s first men’s haberdashery, with his partner Mark Cho in 2010. Inspired by a passion for handcrafted men’s clothing, The Armoury is targeted at customers looking for quality, tailored menswear and accessories from some of the best artisans around the world. The company has two stores in Hong Kong and one in New York.

About Alex Lam

As a second-generation member of one of Hong Kong’s most prominent entertainment families, music has always formed a core part of Alex Lam’s life. After releasing his debut album in 2012, he became the new darling of major brands and advertisers, working with global fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Versace, Christian Dior, Loewe and many more. Alex is also an actor and founder of social media talk show, Le FISHTANK, which covers performance arts, fashion trends and music.

Since China’s economic reform, Hong Kong led the fashion influence during 1980s and much of 1990s over Chinese consumers, especially through its entertainment industry including movies, TV dramas, pop music and many legendary celebrities. Up until 2000’s, Hong Kong was the most important window for mainland Chinese consumers to learn about international fashion. Alex and Wesley, both actors who were born into star-studded families in Hong Kong’s golden era of 1980’s join Andrew Wu, Group President of LVMH Greater China to share their memories and views on the subject.

About Andrew Wu

A leading authority on Chinese consumer trends, Andrew Wu was born and raised in Shanghai. After living in Canada until the mid-1990s, he returned to the Mainland as the head of Parfums Christian Dior until 2000. Following this, he joined Sony Music Entertainment as its Vice President for Asia. In 2005, he re-joined LVMH as Group Head of Greater China, overseeing the rapid growth and evolution of the group’s 70 plus brands in the Chinese marketplace.

About Alex Lam

Raised in a musical environment, Alex’s father George Lam is a top singer in Asia and his mother was a former music producer; so music has always been Alex’s best companion at an early age. Alex’s first public appearance was on a print ad by chance and soon after his entertainment career took off. In November, 2012 he released his debut album 《Alex Lam》which won him many newcomer awards in the same year.

Alex became the new darling of major brands and advertisers, working with global fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Versace, Christian Dior, Loewe and many more. Alex also participates in many screen productions, and is currently building a very strong profile with his numerous leading roles in the cinematic field.

About Wesley Wong

Wesley is a rising star in Asia who made his Hollywood debut as one of the key cadets in the film “Pacific Rim: Uprising”. As a second-generation actor from a famed Chinese acting family, Wesley’s childhood was filled with watching countless Hong Kong movies. Wesley went on to study finance at the University of Southern California, but he found over time that he was not creatively or artistically satisfied and was at a crossroad. It was then that his father, Melvin Wong, a famed comedic and martial arts actor, and his mother, award-winning actress Angie Chiu, one of China’s biggest television stars, encouraged him to discover his true passion for life.

After a lot of thought, he came to realization that acting was his passion, and moved back to the Mainland to enroll in the esteemed Beijing Film Academy. After graduating in 2014, acting roles soon followed, and Wesley has since then made numerous films and TV dramas around Asia. In addition to acting, Wesley has always been a favorite amongst global fashion brands, thus a frequent guest at fashion events including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Gucci, Versace, and Chanel.

A majority of business owners have been substantially impacted throughout the pandemic. However, the amount of time it takes for business recovery lies in how they respond to the pandemic responsibly, what their brand stands for and how they reinforce their value system. One of Hong Kong’s most successful brands and the world’s second-largest jewellery retailer, Chow Tai Fook, joins us to discuss how the company found the silver lining in times of chaos.

About Alan Chan

Alan Chan is a graduate of The Chinese University of Hong Kong with a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree. He is also a Master of Business Administration (MBA) of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. (One of the top MBA programs in Asia)

Alan has been specializing in brand management for over 25 years in the Greater China region with abounding experience and has started his branding exposure in the Mainland since 1990s. He worked for several well-known international groups including Jardine Pacific Group, Hennessy of LVMH Group, as well as Gucci Group with brand management business. Later on, Alan joined Hong Kong Tourism Board and was responsible for promoting retail and catering industries in Hong Kong.

He joined Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group in 2010, is the general manager responsible for the branding and marketing management of the Group. Committed to the belief that customer’s experience is always the top priory of brand management, Alan builds brand image on providing excellent service supported by effective advertising and promotion campaigns.

Former president of Kering Asia Pacific, Mimi Tang is no strange name in the fashion industry. As one of the first Asians rising to the top of the ranks within a world-class luxury group, the fashion veteran is known for her impeccable taste and extraordinary leadership skills.

Following her departure from the luxury group, Mimi never rests on her laurels and continuously discovers new passions, living her life to its fullest. Here she shares her experience as a woman in power and tips on staying motivated in her new journey.

About Mimi Tang

Mimi Tang has more than 45 years of experience in the fashion and retail industry with over 25 years in the top executive roles of luxury retail, including the most notable role as President of Kering Asia Pacific. She established her own consulting company Wing’s Share Company Limited in January 2015 with an aim to providing training and consultancy services to develop retail experts and to reinforce retail excellence. In June 2016, she was awarded Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by Savannah College of Art and Design in June 2016. Behind the glamorous scene, she has been a continuous supporter of under-privileged families in Hong Kong and children with Leukemia in China.

About Alex Lam

As a second-generation member of one of Hong Kong’s most prominent entertainment families, music has always formed a core part of Alex Lam’s life. After releasing his debut album in 2012, he became the new darling of major brands and advertisers, working with global fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Versace, Christian Dior, Loewe and many more. Alex is also an actor and founder of social media talk show, Le FISHTANK, which covers performance arts, fashion trends and music.