Designer Johanna Ho is determined to make fashion sustainable, from high-street to high-end
- The Hong Kong-based founder of Phvlo believes in harnessing younger generations to implement a circular system
- She has worked with Izzue and students from Central Saint Martins to create a capsule collection
What’s the concept behind Phvlo, the brand you launched in 2017? “Phvlo isn’t just a brand. A lot of what we’ve done so far is in the name of sustainability, but this isn’t limited to developing collections that use eco-fabrics or zero-waste practices. We want to target the entire ecosystem of fashion and a big part of that is giving back to the community by connecting, empowering and nurturing young talent.”
Why is working with students such a vital part of Phvlo? “I have been in the industry for 20 years, so I know how important it is to pass on knowledge to the younger generation. It’s not just about mentoring them in design, but also teaching them how to survive in the real world.
Why did you choose to work with a high-street label? “It made sense because high-street brands are the ones that produce the most waste – it’s essential that we highlight what that means for them and the environment. By working with Izzue we hope to help more Asian brands understand that sustainability can be achieved not only in the supply chain, but through changing the mindset of our designers. Many people venture into sustainability without much knowledge and do it for the wrong reasons.”
What are the highlights of the collection? “Phvlo is about one great piece that takes you from day to evening. The theme was ‘transform’, and two students – one studying textiles and the other fashion design – ended up creating this amazing jacket. The print was inspired by a piece of tinfoil. It appears on a recycled polyester jacket design that is inspired by origami and can be folded in various ways to change its look.”