Let’s talk about Kay Kwok
This upcoming fashion designer is originally from Hong Kong,Kay Kwok studied for a Bachelor’s degree in Womenswear at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, later obtaining a Master’s in Menswear from The London College of Fashion in 2012. He also interned at Alexander Mcqueen and designed costumes for Muse’s 2012 world tour and a Hong Kong-based band.
Hong Kong local designer creating the most buzz at the moment is Kay Kwok.Launching his label just two years ago, he is gaining popularity at rapid speed. Already shown at London Fashion Week he caught the eye of New York Times fashion editor Suzy Menkes. Kwok is a firm believer in fashion education, which he says has improved a lot in Hong Kong in these past recent years. His personal growth stemmed from fashion design studies at Hong Kong Polytechnic University.This gave him the confidence and the skill set to go to the prestigious London College of Fashion.Jimmy Choo and Patrick Cox also attended there at one point and time. He also worked at Alexander McQueen. “Hong Kong gave me key skills, like pattern cutting and computer-aided design,” says Kwok, adding that London further honed his creativity.
Kay Kwok’s designs are more than just designs, they are tools for self-expression and stepping outside the box. He creates his pieces to strive to give people the opportunity to express themselves through contemporary fashion, he believes it’s all about finding your own identity: “Designing is an artistic outlet for me, just like it should be for others who are choosing to wear my pieces.”
Kwok was the first Hong Kong menswear designer to show his first collection during London Fashion Week in 2013. He’s now well on his way to becoming one of the most influential Chinese designers in the industry by his out-of-the-box looks. “My goal is to create artistic, bold and creative designs for people to wear and self-express on a daily basis,” said Kwok.
His last autumn-winter collection featuring UFOs and extraterrestrials patterns. The collection is influenced by the themes of futurism and technology, and coupled with computer-generated prints with asymmetrical cuts and a out of this world colour palette. Kwok says he values creativity over monetary gain, not an obvious choice for many up-and-coming designers. With all this talent he was give the opportunity, by a famous company Joyce for his design work. “I was first approached by Joyce after my degree show, but I turned them down as I wasn’t ready,” says Kwok.
It’s an offer that most new designers in Hong Kong would give anything for, but Kwok turned it down. He turns down Joyce two more times before finally being ready and letting them buy and sell his collection in their stores. He wanted to make sure everything was perfect.
His eponymous menswear line is available at Joyce at Pacific Place, Admiralty now.
Kwok finds himself most inspired by current affairs and his fascination with the galaxy. The latter seems to be the most notable in his designs:”It is so exciting to be moved by something to the point where it gives you goosebumps.”
Find his collection at Joyce, G/F New World Tower, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2810 1120, www.joyce.com.
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