In this issue, we welcome HARRISON WONG, exploring the topics of how the pandemic have affected the fashion industry and especially the Asian fashion scene. While talking about the brand’s working ethics, we get to see a glimpse of the process of running a brand like HARRISON WONG and how to get inspirations.
Nana : Can you tell a little bit about your brand?
Harrison : I think the following quote is a good introduction to my work:
“Harrison Wong is one of Hong Kong’s iconic menswear designers. His fashions are known for their simple, structured lines, yet dramatic look. Equally present is an understated and very wearable elegance enhanced by his immaculate tailoring. The typical Harrison Wong client is a fashion aware individual with an eye for design and a love of aesthetics. While Wong creates apparel and accessories that represent the highest in design and quality, he does not lose sight of the importance of price point and wants his fashions to reach a diversified as well as discriminating clientèle.”
Nana : Why did you decide to create the brand?
Harrison : I think most fashion designers naturally want to create a brand. For me it was just a natural
evolution on my road as a designer.
Nana : What kind of styles have influenced your brand?
Harrison : All forms of culture and art have definitely been a driving influence. I often find myself
drawn to galleries and museums, or just gazing at architecture, or absorbing the latest artistic developments. These influences then spark and augment my own internal sources of inspiration.
Nana : What is your impression of the current fashion in Hong Kong and what do you think has influenced it?
Harrison : In the last two years, I have found the fashion scene in Hong Kong to have grown somewhat
dull. Social movements and the pandemic have cancelled many big events and private gatherings. Everybody has put a mask on which hides everyone’s smiles. While we have tried hard to creatively adapt, naturally these events have had a dulling influence on the fashion market. In fact the whole fashion market all over Asia seems to have slowed down and I am greatly looking forward to the pandemic being over!
Nana : What do you value most when deciding on the themes of your collections?
Harrison : The theme for a new collection can come to me from many places. It can come from a piece
of art, or arise from my immediate environment or from trends in society, etc. For example, my SS2022 the theme is called Back To The Garden. The collection looks forward to a post-pandemic world where urbanites yearn to rejuvenate closeness with nature and cultivate mindful wellbeing. A work-from-home style, which has emerged from flexible work practices, has displaced traditional workwear. My latest collection, which I am now working on is called Rain, to me “rain” evokes the mood of living in Hong Kong right now. But I always have to
balance the conceptual and commercial tension created within each new collection and each new story.
Nana : And where does social media fit into your promotion process?
Harrison : I use social media as a platform to show my collection and create brand awareness. I don’t
get involved much personally in social media, but like everyone, I see the news and funny, silly posts from social media every day.
Nana : Can you tell us about some of the most challenging experiences you have had during the process of
building your brand?
Harrison : By far my biggest challenge so far has been the pandemic and the consequent crushing
effect it has had on the market, my client base and my ability to stay engaged abroad. We have succeeded in pulling through, but there have been times when I have even thought I would need to stop the business.
Nana : Is it possible to let readers know a little more about your next Spring Summer 2022 collection? What has inspired the theme and the pieces in them?
Harrison : As explained in part above, the Spring Summer 2022 Collection looks forward to a post-pandemic world where urbanites yearn to rejuvenate closeness with nature and cultivate mindful wellbeing. A work-from-home style, which has emerged from flexible work practices, has displaced traditional workwear. Comfort, durability and homey versatility are the new values. The new fashion architecture now dictates: less is more comfortable.
Nana : What do you hope for the fashion industry to look like after the pandemic?
Harrison : It is clear than online platforms will continue to be the strong trend after the pandemic in all
kinds of businesses including fashion. But I also look forward to being able to travel freely so that we can personally interact with buyers and so that they can see our collections in person as well.
Nana : Do you have any advice for our readers who are seeking to find a way to build a unique brand like
“HARRISON WONG”?
Harrison : Stay true to you own style even if it is only a niche. I think that being authentic can
be the way to success.
The new fashion architecture now dictates: less is more comfortable.
HARRISON WONG
