Sew far, sew good
As traditional Hong Kong tailors find ways to reach younger audiences, avant-garde fashion designers are reinterpreting beloved staples. Rebecca Lo turns the spotlight on the current state of the city's rag trade.
Fresh inspirations
While Ascot Chang continues its traditional tailoring, fashion designer Jessica Lau is engaging younger audiences in the process behind her work. Born and raised in London, and educated at Central Saint Martins Art and Design College, Lau credits her passion for fashion to her mother.
"When I was growing up, my mother did piecework at home with a borrowed sewing machine," Lau recalls. "I grew up watching TVB, and I became very interested in how to combine Western and Eastern design elements."
She has worked with high-profile brands, including Alexander McQueen in London, John Galliano in Paris, and Diane von Furstenberg in New York. "When I was at DvF, everyone told me that the best place to work was in China," Lau says. "I thought I would give it a try as my mother is from Hong Kong."
