IN CONVERSATION WITH HONG KONG SUSTAINABLE DESIGNER, POLLY HO

From New York, to Hong Kong, Shanghai to London. The award winning designer, Polly Ho, is quickly catching the eye of fashionistas around the world with her colourful and eclectic brand, Loom Loop. With a focus on hand craftsmanship, traditional techniques and slow fashion, Fashion Crossover had the pleasure of sitting down with one of Hong Kong’s most promising designers.

“It’s a big chance for Loom Loop to share our mission to the world which is to preserve our culture and craftsmanship through fashion as a media.”

As a platform dedicated to the promotion and support of emerging designers, with a strong belief and passion for preserving hand craftsmanship through slow fashion, Polly’s story is most interesting. Through Hong Kong Design Renaissance Foundation’s support, Polly presented her collection again during London Fashion Week in the heart of Covent Garden. The presentation featured a collaboration of Hong Kong’s local designers followed by a networking event. It is extremely encouraging to witness emerging designers from overseas travelling to London Fashion Week for it’s subversive and slightly rebellious setting.

“We did the presentation on the street which created a very London vibe!”

Loom Loop embodies an East meets West vibe, whilst bridging the gap between traditional and modern. Designer Polly Ho’s striking and iconic prints have ensured Loom Loop’s popularity with press internationally. From editorials to red carpet events, Loom Loop is certainly establishing Polly Ho as a designer to watch. Loom Loop’s press coverage pops with vivid colours and bold prints, creating eclectic fashion that is easily commercial and wearable. Through our PR Showroom Service, Loom Loop waltzed the red carpet of the AmFar Hong Kong Gala mingling with A-Listers, worn by model Claudia Carpentier.

“It was an amazing experience! We were just so glad that our pieces could be worn during such a wonderful Gala.”

The creation of the brand bears importance to the traditional Chinese knot. Taught by her Grandma when she was young, Polly trialled and experimented with the Chinese knot. In an attempt to preserve the traditional craftsmanship of the knot, 2 years ago Polly curated the Qipao Dress. Exhibiting 2000 pcs of the Chinese knot, Polly was subsequently awarded a German Design Award with Distinction for her creativity and traditional craftsmanship. This dress remains extremely valuable to the foundation of Loom Loop, and provided the confidence to build her brand.

“The dress that we made, it was a tribute to my Grandma. My Grandma taught me how to make a Chinese Knot when I was small.“

To create the fusion of heritage, Polly utilises her own Asian heritage through artistic prints and traditional techniques. Despite Loom Loop’s modern flair, Polly pays conscious consideration to the sustainability of her garments. The brand is centred around the incorporation of a 300-year old heritage fabric, canton silk. The artisan fabric is made using traditional dying techniques, such as using plant based dye, river mud and solar power, something Polly wishes to preserve and promote to generations to come.

“Our mission to sustain this intangible cultural heritage to the next generation and the generation to come. We would love to create the demand for this fabric through modernisation, let more people appreciate the beauty of this fabric.”

The eco-friendly processes of canton silk treatment, transforms the delicate and fragile silk to withstand the test of time. From the initial hand dying processes through to the use of river mud and sun baking, the organic silk relies on traditional techniques and hand craftsmanship throughout. Despite the importance of the heritage fabric and sustainable approach, Polly’s fashion flair modernises the 300-year old fabric. With a mix of restraint and boldness, Loom Loop creates new silhouettes with the sophistication of the heritage canton silk.The eco-friendly processes of canton silk treatment, transforms the delicate and fragile silk to withstand the test of time. From the initial hand dying processes through to the use of river mud and sun baking, the organic silk relies on traditional techniques and hand craftsmanship throughout. Despite the importance of the heritage fabric and sustainable approach, Polly’s fashion flair modernises the 300-year old fabric. With a mix of restraint and boldness, Loom Loop creates new silhouettes with the sophistication of the heritage canton silk.

“ By the age of 7, I started draping blankets as dresses and setting my fashion store in the bedroom.”

After witnessing the potential in the once forgotten fabric, Polly was driven to design high quality garments reflecting the fabrics true value. The DNA of Loom Loop proudly emphasises the importance of sustainable fashion and conservation of traditional craftsmanship, something Fashion Crossover is extremely passionate about. With several awards and catwalk features under her belt, Polly Ho is certainly establishing herself as a proud and talented Hong Kong fashion designer to take note of.

Words by Gaby Smith
Video by Lupe Baeyens
Images courtesy of Polly Ho, Evan Peck & Claudia Carpentier