Leo Chan
Youth fashion label Amenpapa doesn’t just want to make you look good: it also wants to spread the Word of God. Co-founder Leo Chan tells Yannie Chan whether Christianity sells and how he went from investor to believer.
HK Magazine: How did the idea of mixing fashion with religion come about?
Leo Chan: I run an architecture firm with my partner Geoff Poon. Around four years ago, his wife suffered from insomnia and found solace in the big street signs that say “God loves everyone.” She thought that we could apply that message to clothes. I jumped on board as an investor.
HK: How did the fashion community react to the brand?
LC: Religion is actually getting quite cool these days. You see Sammi Cheng and Jay Chou, for example, converting to Christianity. American rapper MC Hammer is a huge believer as well. We were inspired to make religion even cooler. Our collection was picked up by Bauhaus and Harvey Nichols.
HK: You target non-Christians. Why?
LC: We’ve always wanted to spread God’s messages in a fun and quirky way to people who may not be familiar with the Bible. More than 80 percent of our VIP members are non-Christians. Mainland tourists make up a big part of our sales. A macho mainland man walked into our store, and then he started to share his family problems and broke into tears. He’s now a VIP of ours.
HK: Was it difficult for a non-believer like you at first?
LC: I was sick of God at times. For most people, they have a choice. They read the Bible or go to church when they want to. I had to think about Bible verses 24/7. I felt bombarded and that I couldn’t breathe.
HK: What made you convert?
LC: I grew up in a religious household and I am familiar with God’s teaching, but during my 20s I believed I could do anything. I drifted away from God. Working in Amenpapa forced me to confront my inner self. I realized I was in denial and became a Christian.