Without a doubt, the dauntless pioneer of Hong Kong-inspired design has been one of the biggest contributors to local visual culture. We catch up with the creative force and find out what’s inspiring him today
Which piece are you most proud of designing?
The modern Chinese jacket, the cheongsam. It is a tradition that I grew up with and that I have seen eroding. Young people have stopped wearing Chinese jackets because they haven’t been evolving. They haven’t been modernising. A lot of contemporary designers in Hong Kong neglect our local traditions so I am proud to have picked up this tradition; to play a part in prolonging and passing it on to new generations.
See also: Inside The Design Mind Of Bonnae Gokson
What’s your favourite material of the moment?
Silk. I am very interested in silk because it is also a very traditional material that has been neglected. People have the wrong impression of silk. It is sometimes perceived as being very shiny and out of date, and sometimes embroidered with gaudy patterns. I like raw silk which has a matte finish and is very light and cool in the summer.
It doesn’t crease and it feels so good on the skin—supposedly the amino acids of silk are meant to be very good for the skin. It is also a very strong material.
Favourite restaurant?
Potato Head in Sai Ying Pun, which serves modern Indonesian cuisine. Not only was the food very good, but it also had a great atmosphere, great music and interesting people.
