Henry Lau (fashion designer)
Henry Lau | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 10, 1973 Hong Kong |
| Occupation | Fashion designer |
| Known for | Founder of retail brand Spy Henry Lau |
Henry Lau (劉志華), born on May 10, 1973, in Hong Kong, is a distinguished fashion designer from Hong Kong, recognized for his retail brand Spy Henry Lau.
History
Lau initiated his journey in fashion design during his studies at Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 1992, completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fashion Design by 1995. At the outset of his profession, he crafted costumes and visual concepts for leading local stars such as Leslie Cheung, Anita Mui, and Jay Chow.
In 1996, he became part of a fashion company specializing in high-end apparel for markets in Japan and South East Asia. The following year, he established his own design studio. His debut retail outlet, Spy Theatre, opened in 1998 within the Rise building located in Tsim Sha Tsui, catering to a youthful and fashionable clientele. That same year, he organized notable fashion events including the outdoor "Spy at Sea" show held in Central.
By 1999, Lau presented his Spring/Summer 2000 collection at Hong Kong Fashion Week, drawing interest from buyers such as Joyce Boutique, which subsequently developed the "Shen" line inspired by his creations. Additionally, he collaborated with Nokia on themed product collections and designed wardrobe pieces for cable television hosts' millennium celebrations.
Lau's January 2000 showcase at HK Fashion Week received acclaim from media outlets in both Hong Kong and Singapore. He also exhibited his designs at Beijing Fashion Week and worked alongside international companies including Debeers and Singapore-based Motorola for marketing initiatives. In September of that year, he launched a second boutique in Causeway Bay featuring more sophisticated styles.
In 2001, Lau expanded further by opening a third couture store also located in Causeway Bay and initiated a consignment agreement with the concept retailer A02. By 2002, he was responsible for costume design for pop icon Anita Mui's concert performances and made his entry into the Shanghai fashion market.
Maintaining high-profile partnerships, Lau designed stage outfits for singer Hacken Lee during the 2003 music awards and concert tours. He conducted fashion shows in Beijing and Sydney—the latter supported by Australian Fashion Week—attracting international buyers such as Sydney's "acurmen" and luxury merchants like Villa Moda operating in Kuwait and Dubai. His first franchised location opened in Beijing that year, drawing celebrity customers.
In January 2004, Lau's collection showcased at HK Fashion Week facilitated access to the Indian market through Dubai-based Villa Moda, which invested over one million following his commercial success across Dubai and Kuwait. He also created costume designs for another Hacken Lee concert that were celebrated as wearable art.
In January 2014, Lau unveiled his "Street Sophistication" line at the HK Fashion Extravaganza, drawing inspiration from a young girl's aspirations of Hollywood stardom.[1]
External links
- ↑ https://gbtimes.com/extravaganza-hong-kong-fashion-week-aw14 The extravaganza of Hong Kong Fashion Week A/W14