“LA CHINA TOWN”

Look at me, I will never pass for a perfect bride, or a perfect daughter. 

Now I see, that if I were truly to be myself, I would break my family’s heart.

Who is that girl I see 

Staring straight back at me? 

When will my reflection show

Who I am inside? 

 –– ‘Reflections’ in Mulan

This season, Ryan Lo embarks on an introspective journey, taking stock of his 10 years of life in London and pondering the physical and spiritual distance away from his hometown of Hong Kong.  In his most personal collection to date, Lo eschews lovelorn heroines and whimsical singletons to search for his roots, coaxing the kitsch, the fun, and the unexpected out of tradition.  As we reach the end of the current Chinese New Year fortnight, come celebrate with Lo on a far-out and florid trip through the Middle Kingdom. 

 Thousands of years of Chinese civilisation are condensed into the collection as the dynasty-spanning Chinese period dramas and films that Lo grew up watching enter the fray. The regal attitude of ‘The Legend of Lady Yang’, a TV depiction of the famous Tang dynasty consort segues into 1930s Shanghai where qipaos blend with Western suits, as seen in the noir-ish vibes of the Stanley Kwan film Everlasting Regret and the series ‘Romance in the Rain’.  The quilted outerwear robes of Empress Cixi are re-imagined into satin-lined eiderdown coats, that feature a peach blossom felted wool.  White Rabbit Candy dresses are spliced with the same floral wool.  

The bloom of Gong Li’s red peasant garb in ‘The Story of Qiu Ju’ is translated into a blossom print that appears on folkloric dresses.   Fluttering butterflies, as seen in Chiung Yao’s hugely successful novel turned TV drama ‘My Fair Princess’ and roaring tigers, that are vanquished by kung fu heroes appear on Lo’s signature knitwear.  A thoroughly Chinese celebration wouldn’t be complete without a princess dress, and this season, Lo’s gathered and ruched tulle creations are accessorised with faux fur stoles, as worn by Chinese femme fatales.  

Words by Susie Lau @ Susie Bubble

Styling: Victoria Young/ Makeup: Isamaya Ffrench/ Hair: Holli Smith/ Nails: Sophy Robson/ Casting: Shelley Durkan/ Set Designer: Gary Card/ Jewellery: O Thong