Interview: Stylist Cheryl Leung on being a true Kowloon girl

Stylist Cheryl Leung talks about her love for Kowloon and what's new on the Shanghai fashion scene.

"I was always interested in imaging - not just in fashion but also in the branding and advertising industries, for luxury beauty [products]. It was while working in publishing and magazines that I discovered I could communicate through styling, and use fashion as a tool to create an image, and work with beautiful muses - styling was far more exciting than creative advertising."

"Tom Ford hit all the right spots. He has stayed true to his spirit in his own brand since [standing down as] creative director of Gucci [in 2004]."

"By Erah is a collaboration between myself and another designer, and it was conceived, with an appreciation of monochrome, leather and sporting life, almost two years ago. We have now seen this trend go mainstream everywhere, from the catwalks in Paris to Nathan Road."

"I choose to live in Kowloon. It's by far the most authentic and eclectic side of Hong Kong. The heritage speaks to me and most of my fashion shoots have been at the 100-year-old [Yau Ma Tei] wholesale fruit market; some have been shot on a moving green minibus. It's the contrast of seeing the street typography, neon lights and a Jil Sander menswear uniform at a wet market that I find inspiring. And the town is perfect for [dealing with] emergencies the night before a shoot. I can still get a salon blow dry after 11pm on a weekday. Only in Kowloon!"