May the Force be with US
The collaboration between Vogue Hong Kong and Hong Kong Centrestage has entered its third year, with the themes “A World of Phygital” in 2020, “Chapter Infinity” in 2021 and “Me, Myself & Us” in 2022, reflecting the rapidly changing times over these past three years.
The pandemic drove us to a Phygital lifestyle. Livestream, WFH and Zoom were born, quickly becoming the norm.
Infinity represents possibility. Impossible becomes I'm possible.
This year, we explore D&I - diversity and inclusion - two buzzwords in the fashion industry.
On the runway, models of all shapes, sizes and skin tones are the first step for Diversity. Behind the scenes, the equal participation of different races and genders in the creative process still has a long journey ahead before reaching true Inclusivity.
Diversity, inclusion and acceptance can be seen as far back as 40 years ago, in the legendary movie “Star Wars” by George Lucas. The human Jedi, the almost 1000 year old Yoda, the memorable giant Jabba the Hutt, Chewie, the long-haired Wookie, the controversial Jar Jar Binks and more all coexist across different planets, and are all accepted as who they are.
One figure spearheading the movement towards authentic diversity & inclusion is Rihanna, who has also shown that upholding these values can be a winning business model. The entrepreneur, singer and makeup mogul founded the beauty brand Fenty Beauty with 40 shades of foundation at launch, embracing all different skin tones. She then went on to launch the Savage x Fenty underwear brand, inviting models like the pregnant Slick Woods alongside models with mobility aids and models of varying body types, redefining the standard of beauty and successfully bringing a new and long-awaited change to the fashion industry.
To distinguish “me” and “you” does not need to be a confrontation, but an acceptance. "Us" does not mean all assimilating to the same thing, but rather a sharing - respecting each person's characteristics and accepting each other. Unity can be difficult but it is the source of true strength and potential, and the Force behind everything.
This year, we brings together x brands. I look forward to watching these New Forces of Fashion shining more brightly together, as a united front.
Kat Yeung
May the Force be with US
《VOGUE》Hong Kong與Centrestage 的合作不經不覺已踏入了第三年,由2020年的主題“A World of Phygital”,2021年的“Chapter Infinity”到2022年的“Me Myself & Us”,見證時代變遷。
大流行驅使我們進入Phygital的生活模式,Livestream WFH Zoom應運而生。
Infinity代表可能性,impossible成為I’m possible。
今年,我們探討D&I,多元及包容,這兩個時裝界的關鍵詞。
台前,體形與膚色多元化的模特兒是Diversity在天橋上踏出的第一步;
幕後,不同種族性別平等參與創作過程是Inclusivity的漫長歲月。
多元包容這個buzzword遠可追溯到40多年前的元祖《星球大戰》,作者George Lucas說是得到他敬仰的日本大師黑澤明《戰國英豪》的啟發,故事中擁有原力的超凡人類Jedi、曼德羅星的頭盔族Mandalorian、令人難忘的巨型Jabba the Hutt、卡希克星的長毛族Chewie、爭議性的角色海底生物Jar Jar Binks 等,不同種族性別在各大星球共處,絕對是D&I的典範。
新世代佼佼者可說是Rihanna ,她創立的美容品牌Fenty Beauty甫推出,粉底已多達40色,包容不同膚色國界,Savage x Fenty內衣品牌更邀請不同身形的模特兒包括孕婦Slick Woods行騷,展現多樣多元的價值觀,重新定義美麗的標準,成功為時尚市場帶來新衝擊。
Me and you不是對立而是接納,“Us”不是同化而是共享,尊重每個人的特質、彼此包容是一種多角度思維。團結是難,但它便是力量。這個時裝網頁集結x個品牌生力軍,期待New Forces of Fashion一起共創、發光發亮。
Kat Yeung