Features
style
Kevin Poon
CLOT INC
"New generation kids have their own ideas of what they like and what they don’t like, and I think the evolution is inevitable. I don’t really think about the direction streetwear is heading, I spend most of my time thinking about how to continue to challenge ourselves and continue to reinvent ourselves to keep pushing our company to the next level." Kevin Poon
As co-founder and director of highly respected street lifestyle brand
CLOT, 27 year old Kevin Poon has established himself at the forefront
of a niche but growing movement in Hong Kong and to some degree is
responsible for the gradual merging of western and eastern influences
into the fledgling street culture of the city he calls home.
How old are you?
27
Were you born in Hong Kong?
Born in Hong Kong, lived in Chicago, Vancouver, LA and now back in Hong Kong
What is your specific role at CLOT?
I am the director of the company
Who else is involved and what do they contribute to the brand?
We have about 20 people in our company now and they all contribute different things.
Are you involved in any other ventures outside of CLOT and its associated projects?
Yes I am involved with the arts development council in Hong Kong as well as The Against Elderly Abuse Of Hong Kong.
If you could work with anyone in the creative industry who would it be?
There is still so many people I would be interested in working with but if I had to pick one it would be with John Jay. I have followed his work and I think he's a genious.
What is the mission of CLOT?
The mission of CLOT is to create a distinctive identity and lifestyle to Hong Kong and other parts of Asia. Always encouraging new thinking and bridging the gap between eastern and western cultures.
Outside of Hong Kong where is CLOT most well established?
CLOT is focused now in South East Asia, but I think we have supporters from around the world. Obviously Hong Kong has been exposed to different street cultures for a long time but mainland China has only recently gained access to many youth movements.
Do you find that young mainland Chinese understand CLOT and the street culture that it represents?
I think more and more mainland Chinese youth are understanding what street culture is and the roots behind it, and we are happy about this because we see new magazines coming out and people doing art and all types of people coming out doing interesting things and we are happy to be a part of this movement.
How do you go about selecting the different artists who collaborate with CLOT?
We usually pick artists that we respect and have a friendship with, this type of collaboration usually comes out the best because it’s organic and not forced.
Streetwear has evolved to become much bigger in the last five years around the world, are you comfortable with the direction that streetwear is heading?
I think this is about the new generation and how people perceive streetwear and street culture. New generation kids have their own ideas of what they like and what they don’t like, and I think the evolution is inevitable. I don’t really think about the direction streetwear is heading, I spend most of my time thinking about how to continue to challenge ourselves and continue to reinvent ourselves to keep pushing our company to the next level.
What new collaborations and projects does CLOT have in store?
It’s too early to reveal some of the exciting new collaborations we have coming up, but you can tune into www.clotinc.com for updates daily.
How much has the mainstream attitude towards street culture in Hong Kong changed since CLOT started five years ago?
I think they are more receptive to new ideas and concepts. Again a lot more people understand street culture here and are involved in the culture, I think that the more people that embrace the culture and get involved, it can only get better.
In addition to collaborating with some of the world’s most respected street artists and designers, CLOT has also collaborated with mainstream brands such as Pepsi. Does this kind of collaboration ever effect the perceived credibility of CLOT
We only work with brands we like and so it’s just a personal taste, I think when we worked with Pepsi they have a great brand and we had the chance to design some cans and premium items for them and we thought it was a fun and interesting project, that’s why we did it. I think people really liked that particular project and it was fun for us as a team as well.
CLOT is a streetwear label, a brand consultancy, has ventured into music and art and retail. Are there any new ventures on the horizon?
Our spring summer 09 collection is launched and we are currently focused on our fall winter 09 collection, watch out for a full line coming out from CLOT apparel, please keep on checking clotinc.com for updates. Thank you ACCLAIM Magazine!
CLOT are continuing to represent Hong Kong and the rest of Asia to the fullest. You can keep abreast of their newest lines and collaborations simply by checking their website.
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27
Were you born in Hong Kong?
Born in Hong Kong, lived in Chicago, Vancouver, LA and now back in Hong Kong
What is your specific role at CLOT?
I am the director of the company
Who else is involved and what do they contribute to the brand?
We have about 20 people in our company now and they all contribute different things.
Are you involved in any other ventures outside of CLOT and its associated projects?
Yes I am involved with the arts development council in Hong Kong as well as The Against Elderly Abuse Of Hong Kong.
If you could work with anyone in the creative industry who would it be?
There is still so many people I would be interested in working with but if I had to pick one it would be with John Jay. I have followed his work and I think he's a genious.
What is the mission of CLOT?
The mission of CLOT is to create a distinctive identity and lifestyle to Hong Kong and other parts of Asia. Always encouraging new thinking and bridging the gap between eastern and western cultures.
Outside of Hong Kong where is CLOT most well established?
CLOT is focused now in South East Asia, but I think we have supporters from around the world. Obviously Hong Kong has been exposed to different street cultures for a long time but mainland China has only recently gained access to many youth movements.
Do you find that young mainland Chinese understand CLOT and the street culture that it represents?
I think more and more mainland Chinese youth are understanding what street culture is and the roots behind it, and we are happy about this because we see new magazines coming out and people doing art and all types of people coming out doing interesting things and we are happy to be a part of this movement.
How do you go about selecting the different artists who collaborate with CLOT?
We usually pick artists that we respect and have a friendship with, this type of collaboration usually comes out the best because it’s organic and not forced.
Streetwear has evolved to become much bigger in the last five years around the world, are you comfortable with the direction that streetwear is heading?
I think this is about the new generation and how people perceive streetwear and street culture. New generation kids have their own ideas of what they like and what they don’t like, and I think the evolution is inevitable. I don’t really think about the direction streetwear is heading, I spend most of my time thinking about how to continue to challenge ourselves and continue to reinvent ourselves to keep pushing our company to the next level.
What new collaborations and projects does CLOT have in store?
It’s too early to reveal some of the exciting new collaborations we have coming up, but you can tune into www.clotinc.com for updates daily.
How much has the mainstream attitude towards street culture in Hong Kong changed since CLOT started five years ago?
I think they are more receptive to new ideas and concepts. Again a lot more people understand street culture here and are involved in the culture, I think that the more people that embrace the culture and get involved, it can only get better.
In addition to collaborating with some of the world’s most respected street artists and designers, CLOT has also collaborated with mainstream brands such as Pepsi. Does this kind of collaboration ever effect the perceived credibility of CLOT
We only work with brands we like and so it’s just a personal taste, I think when we worked with Pepsi they have a great brand and we had the chance to design some cans and premium items for them and we thought it was a fun and interesting project, that’s why we did it. I think people really liked that particular project and it was fun for us as a team as well.
CLOT is a streetwear label, a brand consultancy, has ventured into music and art and retail. Are there any new ventures on the horizon?
Our spring summer 09 collection is launched and we are currently focused on our fall winter 09 collection, watch out for a full line coming out from CLOT apparel, please keep on checking clotinc.com for updates. Thank you ACCLAIM Magazine!
CLOT are continuing to represent Hong Kong and the rest of Asia to the fullest. You can keep abreast of their newest lines and collaborations simply by checking their website.
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