Media kit AW15

C O N TA I N I N G B E A U T Y

AW 15 Media Kit

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PRESS RELEASE P R E S S R E L E A S E

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KAY LI, A CONTEMPORARY INDEPENDENT FASHION LABEL, RELEASES ITS AW15 COLLECTION DUBAI, UAE, FEBRUARY 6, 2014 – Capturing the spiritual and moral aspects of tradition Japanese basket making, this Autumn Winter collection focuses on clean cuts, geometric shapes and symmetry to create a contemporary yet feminine and sculpted looks.

A long admirer of traditional Japanese arts and craft, this Kay Li’s Autumn/winter collection expresses the structural basket weaving pattern through placement of pleats and texture of the fabrics. Clean and unclustered lines are the focus in this womenswear collection. Pinstripe fabrics were cut and placed in different directions to add to their distinctive appeal. Geometric

ABOUT

KAY

shapes taken from the basket masterpieces can be seen throughout the collection in forms of cuts and shapes.

Eye-catching rusty orange color was introduced to lift the mostly monochrome collection of white, black and grey. Fabric quality remains exceptionally high with selections from Italy and Japan. Continuing from the previous collection, eco-friendly fabrics were used to create this timeless pieces. There is an air of understated elegance in this collection, graceful and yet modern.

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Kay Li, a Hong Kong-born fashion designer, started her eponymous label in 2012 after graduating from ESMOD University with an 1st Fashion award in New Couture and an Excellence award.

She has been selected by Fashion Farm Foundation in Hong Kong to present her AW15 collection in the Greenhouse project at TheHub. She was handpicked by NotJustALabel, an online platform that support and nurture independent fashion designers, to participate in Origin Passion & Beliefs in 2015. In 2014, she was invited to showcase in the inaugural Fashion Week Middle East, which was held at the prestigious DIFC in Dubai.

The essence of her label is to produce innovative pieces that express and accentuate individuality.

Growing up in Hong Kong, she is greatly influenced by the artistic and edgy asian fashion aesthetics.

Mixing form, fabrics, and designs in a new manner, the label aims to capture the character and emotions of a distinctive woman.

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C o n t a ining

Beauty

AUTUMN / WINTER 2015 4

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OVERVIEW Capturing the spiritual and moral aspects of tradition Japanese basket making, this Autumn Winter collection focuses on clean cuts, geometric shapes and symmetry to create a contemporary yet feminine and sculpted look.

L O O K

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AW15TOP02

Tweed raglan sleeve top AW15SKT01

Pleated skirt

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L O O K

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AW15JAC02

Folded top

V-neck bomber jacket

AW15DRS02

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AW15TOP06

Black pleated dress

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L O O K

L O O K

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L O O K

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AW15DRS03

AW15JAC03

Sleeveless sheath dress with weave detail

Bamboo-wool mix kimono jacket AW15TOP05

Blue top with orange collar AW15PTS03

Layered pants

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L O O K

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AW15TOP04

Notched jacket

White blouse with pleat details

AW15TOP01

AW15SKT01

White Raglan Sleeve Top

Pleated Skirt

AW15PTS01

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AW15JAC01

Tweed layered pants

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L O O K

L O O K

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L O O K

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AW15DRS01

AW15TOP01

Sheath dress with butterfly sleeves

White Raglan sleeve top AW15SKT02

Faux leather skirt with orange pleat panel

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L O O K

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AW15COAT01

Bamboo-wool mix long coat AW15TOP03

White weaved top AW15PTS02

2-tone pants

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S TOCKISTS

V I L L A

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Jumeirah 3 Jumeirah Beach Road (near Umm Al Sheif) Dubai, UAE

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L A B E L

http://www.notjustalabel.com

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C A R T E L

6 Alserkal Avenue Al Quoz 1, Street 17 Dubai UAE

G N O S S E M (coming soon) http://www.gnossem.com

M O D A C O R N E R (coming soon) http://www.modacorner.com KAY LI 11

PRESS

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PRESS

B E L O W

Shine, Taiwan, Dec 2013

A B O V E

Hype Magazine, Dubai, Jan 2015

R I G H T

Ara Magazine, Dubai, 2013

L E F T

LaModaArabia, KSA

L E F T A B O V E

Desert Fish, Dubai issue 9 /Spring Summer 2013

Pashion, Summer 12, Egypt

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F AQ

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“MY INSPIRATION IS ALWAYS PERSONAL. I DON’T FOLLOW THE MAIN STREAM TRENDS.” What do you love about fashion?

Fashion is not just a piece of fabric - cuts with holes to cover our bodies. It starts with an idea/ message from a designer, then everyone from fabric supplier to photographer, collaborating to create something new, to transform this idea/message into a tangible product.

The most magical part though, is when the wearer adds his/her unique twist and style and transform it into something else, something they claim their own. It becomes part of them, it expresses who they are and at the same time it connects people.

How did you find yourself interested in fashion designing?

How did it all begin?

I was interested in design at a young age. I always like arts and different form of designs. At some point, I wanted to study product design in Japan in my teen years. However, life took me to a different path and I was only able to refocus on myself a couple of years ago. Fashion design was my calling because I can combine aspects from different design disciplines, may it be graphic design or architecture, to create something new.

What or who is/are your inspiration(s)?

I draw inspiration from humanity to architecture, environmental issues to current affairs, translating my philosophical beliefs into urban, contemporary and edgy aesthetics. Recently my kids are my inspiration.

Tell us more about your style of designing?

Like most collections, it starts with an inspiration. Something that I came across or what I experienced. My inspiration is always personal. I don’t follow the main stream trends.

Like a friend of mine always says “only dead fish follows the stream”. Then I will carry out an extensive research on the topic, taking care on color and fabric selection.

My design style is clean, geometric, relaxed androgyny. Something comfortable, effortless, and can mix-and-match easily. Clothes are our second skin. One must feel comfortable in what they wear to be confident and beautiful.

Who is/are your style muse?

Tilda Swinton - Her androygous look, always artistic, classical yet fierce. I also love risk takers like Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?

Still doing what I love to do; designing collections and experimenting with different cuts and techniques. I’m naturally very curious and always love to learn and try out new things.

I’m constantly on a look out for novelty.

Right now, I’m looking into techniques to create more sustainable fashion line. Hopefully in 5 years time, I will be very fluent in this practice.

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A B OUT

KAY

LI

A HONG KONG DESIGNER, KAY LI ESTABLISHED HER EPONYMOUS LABEL IN 2012.

Her passion for fashion design began at an early age. Her mother was a pattern-drafting teacher and her father was a well-known model maker in Hong Kong. She inherited the best part of both worlds: an eye on lines and proportions and a sense of cut, fit, quality and finishings in apparel.

In pursuit of her enthusiasm for fashion, she studied in the prestigious ESMOD, a fashion school originated in Paris, France, graduated with a the 1st Fashion award in New Couture and the Excellence award.

Kay Li uses her distinct style to create clean and contemporary womenswear. She draws inspiration from humanity to architecture, environmental issues to current affairs, translating her philosophical beliefs into modern and edgy aesthetics.

She has been selected by Fashion Farm Foundation in Hong Kong to present her AW15 collection in the Greenhouse project at TheHub. She was handpicked by NotJustALabel, an online platform that support and nurture independent fashion designers, to participate in Origin Passion & Beliefs in 2015. In 2014, she was invited to showcase in the inaugural Fashion Week Middle East, which was held at the prestigious DIFC in Dubai.

The essence of her label is to produce innovative and wearable pieces that express and accentuate individuality.

With her flair in textile design, she creates original fabrics that is a perfect complement to her relaxed androgynous designs.

Providing bespoke-quality finish and carefully selected luxurious fabrics, this young fashion label aims to capture the character and emotions of a distinctive woman.

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS 2 0 1 5

Chosen by Fashion Farm Foundation in HK to present AW15 collection in TheHub - Asia’s premium trade show 2 0 1 5

Handpicked by NotJustALabel team to receive sponsorship for participation in Origin Passion & Beliefs event in Italy 2 0 1 4

Invited to participate the inaugural Fashion Week Middle East

COMPETITIONS & AWARDS 2 0 1 2

Fashion Design Award for New Couture – ESMOD Dubai Graduation Excellence Award – ESMOD Dubai Graduation 2 0 1 1

Winner of the Dubai Fashion Week Emerging Talent Showcase Fall/ Winter 2011 2 0 1 0

Finalist of the Mercedes-Benz Middle East Fashion Design Contest

C ONTACT

WEBSITE kay-li.com

EMAIL press@kay-li.com

PHONE UAE

+971 (0)55 138 5432

SOCIAL MEDIA FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM & PINTEREST

@kaylithelabel

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