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I’ve always been drawn to beautiful things, but I never thought I would become a fashion designer. I was quite old-fashioned when I was younger—I thought fashion was a woman’s job.
But it was a natural path for me to take, in a way. My parents own a garment manufacturing business.
Because they worked long hours, my parents would leave me in a day care center during the week. When they took me for yum cha on the weekends, I’d eat like I’d been in prison.
I’m your classic workaholic. I set myself the goal of retiring at 40 and so I’ve been working like crazy. But as age 40 draws closer, I realize I’d be bored to tears if I had nothing to do.
My staff complain that I talk too fast and work too aggressively, and that they can’t keep up with me.
Actually, despite my hectic life, I crave peace and solitude.
I’m definitely a beach person. My dream holiday would be on an isolated beach resort, with no need to talk to anyone.
I don’t drink. My grandfather drank himself to death, so ever since I was young I’ve turned away from alcohol.
I collect wristwatches. I got my first as a graduation present from my dad. He’s a very old-fashioned man, and he always taught me to be on time. I own nearly 100 watches.
My favorite item of clothing is a classically cut black blazer that I can wear with anything. It has the added advantage of covering up my stomach!
I love animals. I have two dogs and I take them everywhere on the weekends—up to the Peak, to South Bay, anywhere that’s not too crowded.
One day, I might adopt some children. Right now I’m not ready because I’m too focused on my work, and you need to invest time in raising children.
I was in New York for Fashion Week during September 11. I flew to Toronto on an American Airlines flight that morning, 40 minutes before the planes hit the Twin Towers. Everyone thought I was dead, and for the next couple of years, I freaked out every time I flew.
It made me re-evaluate my life. I went out and bought insurance.
I’m a Buddhist, so I don’t believe in a God in the Christian sense. But I believe that there are ghosts and spirits all around us that live in a different world.
I often wonder what it would be like to be a woman. I design clothes for women, and often find myself trying to guess how a woman thinks.
That said, I wouldn’t actually like to be a woman. I couldn’t go through the pain of pregnancy.
I admire Valentino. His designs are classic and people love the brand for his personality as much as for the clothes. After he retired, the collections were never the same.
Don’t mindlessly follow trends. You need to find clothes that suit you and your personality. Personally, I prefer classic designs that you can wear time and time again and still look good.
Hong Kong is a great place to work, but not a great place to live. I could never work in Europe—things happen so slowly there. But I definitely want to move out of Hong Kong when I retire.
If I could live anywhere else in the world, I would live in Rome. It’s a beautiful, romantic city with so much history.
A good friend is someone who you don’t need to see all the time, but when you do catch up with them, you fall easily into your old, familiar ways.
I am drawn to people who are sincere, honest and loyal. I can’t stand people who make promises that they can’t keep.
Many people are too quick to dismiss others if they don’t have a so-called “interesting” background. But inspiration can come from people of all walks of life, provided you observe carefully.


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Dorian Ho

Magazines

The Hong Kong-born, internationally renowned fashion designer Dorian Ho is perhaps best known for his classic, feminine eveningwear. He talks to Sarah Fung about life, near-death experiences and his quest for peace.
