I remember when I first came across fashion designer Ice Cheong and her brand Dynasti, featured on our cover this month. Internet phenomena have interested me for a long time, and seeing a new generation of designers and other creative talents rising on social media, especially on Instagram, is one of the most recent examples. I started following Dynasti and Ice Cheong herself online, and eventually we had the chance to meet. In person, she matched the style she portrayed of herself online, with her strong but casual attitude that makes a lasting mark on you. In some way though, even without there being a particularly large age gap between us, Ice made me feel old. I wanted to know why, so I went searching.
I started following a number of other young people showcasing their styles and work online, from Hong Kong to Japan, from Europe to South Korea and Mainland China. In a way, they’re all connected. They all have alternative styles that often go side by side with an alternative approach to life and society. They design clothes, accessories and so forth, they create new trends, have thousands of followers, organize and go to parties, and they sell and buy stuff online. In many ways, it seems they kind of own the web.
In this issue of CLOSER, we interview Ice Cheong and a number of other fashion designers, fashion bloggers and Instagrammers from all around the region. At a global level, our correspondent in New York interviews Scott Schuman, the man behind The Sartorialist, arguably the most famous street photography blog ever, now celebrating ten years. Locally, we speak to some of the fashion bloggers defining the styles of Hong Kong and Macau.
Our June issue is filled with other good reads too. We talk to photographer Annie Leibovitz, who is presenting her new show in Hong Kong; and we take a look at the exciting new International Film Festival & Awards – Macau, coming to town in December. We travel to Hunan and we taste the best Rosé wines from around the world. We also bring you the fantastic story of Muhammad Ali’s visit to Macau years ago.
Summer is here and events, activities and new hotspots are popping up everywhere in the city. Online (everything seems to be online these days), we guide you through what’s out there to be enjoyed. Follow us on social media (Facebook, Wechat and Instagram) and on our websites www.macaucloser.com and whatson.macaucloser.com. All it takes is to stay connected, so stay CLOSER to us.