Kate Springer and Katie Kenny meet five up-and-coming local designers to get a dose of what’s haute in Hong Kong this season.
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Sarah Lai
Sarah Lai founded her eponymous ready-to-wear women’s label in 2013: it’s all about contemporary designs, sophistication and versatility.
HK Magazine: Who are the muses behind your designs?
Sarah Lai: My brand is very much influenced by the women in my family. I adore my grandmother’s exquisite taste and elegance, and I admire my mother’s poise, sense of purpose and determination. The way I weave their inspiration into my designs is more intangible. It’s their aura: the balance between flashiness and subtlety with different colors, laces, fabrics and embellishments.
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HK: How does Hong Kong inspire you?
SL: I love Hong Kong’s skyline—in the midst of the modern skyscrapers hide old temples and buildings: like Man Mo Temple on Hollywood Road and the Police Headquarters.
HK: What’s your favorite under-the-radar shop?
SL: I always enjoy visiting The Refinery at PMQ (S410, 4/F, 35 Aberdeen St., Central, 9545-9393). It is a sweet and cute space, and I especially love the accessories—like the Bernstock Speirs beanies with veils! Is Liger (Shop A&C, Vienna Mansion, 55 Paterson St., Causeway Bay, 2503-5308) an under-the-radar store? I like its diversified designers from different countries—London, Korea, US, and Hong Kong. Very different offerings from the usual department store! The new silhouettes it introduces may be difficult to wear, but it’s all about balancing out.
