How does it feel like to thrive like Humberto Leon who, together with his partner Carol Lim, has somehow been successfully helming two big fashion brands—Kenzo and Opening Ceremony—at the same time? One may never understand how he manages.
But this is something most of his fellow Asians can relate to: Leon grew up with movies and songs featuring Hong Kong superstars Anita Mui and Leslie Cheung. The late icons have proven to be influential not only to his life, but also to Opening Ceremony, and the label is dedicating their Fall/Winter 2019 collection to both Mui and Cheung.
It seems only right, then, that this season’s lookbook also stars a diaspora of Asian influential individuals. These creatives are designer Anna Sui, frequent collaborator and composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, designer and actor Waris Ahluwalia, writers Priya Krishna and Jenny Han, chef Angela Dimayuga, actress Greta Lee, playwright David Henry Hwang, artist Chella Man and others, including Leon’s real-life mother Wendy who has previously made an appearance in Kenzo’s fashion campaign.
This isn’t the first time Leon and Lim highlight their Asian identity. Previously, as Kenzo’s Co-Creative Directors, they had cast an all-Asian cast for the brand’s Spring/Summer 2018 show and selected three Asian artists to collaborate on a limited edition collection.
Photos by Sebastian Kim
Images c/o Opening Ceremony
