LU KUN
His name is Lu Kun and his epoch, essentially, glamour.
Lu Kun features often in the top fashion stories in China and many other countries world-wide. He’s known internationally through China ‘Vogue’ and ‘Elle’ magazine, Italy’s ‘Il Sole 24 Ore,’ France’s ‘Le Monde’ ‘Elle Paris’ and ‘Nouvel’ publications and back to ‘Shanghai Daily’ and ‘8 Days’ editorials in his hometown, Shanghai.
Lu Kun’s inspiration is many and varied in its sources. Everything from the silhouette of a stylish young woman, to the way the afternoon sun plays with the colours dappled through a piece of antique embroidered silk, impact on the way this prodigious talent continues to create with a passion that can only be called remarkably prolific.
Lu Kun and high fashion are interchangeable terms in Shanghai and Asia at large. Now, the word is spreading even further internationally as Lu Kun’s clientele from abroad expands and includes a number of actors and other celebrities in its cache of discerning purveyors.
The buzz about Lu Kun that is loudest however is that his aesthetic mission is to build a bridge between the heady days of the 1930s Jazz Era of Shanghai and the fashion needs of today. He does not, however, like the term “fusion” as it is pass . Clearly, “fusion” genuinely existed in Shanghai approximately one hundred years ago but now, what Lu Kun is doing is making the fashion world aware of the “Shanghai-chic” style. To wit, many call his style “post-fusion.”
Such a lofty title may for some prove prohibitively formidable but one need only look to the track record of Lu Kun for assurance that this brief is attainable.
As winner of the “Best Young Designer in China” award by the Shanghai Fashion Federation in 2004, Lu Kun became a name to remember.
Next up, after receiving the Nokia Fashion Diamond Award of 2004, and being ranked as one of the top ten overall fashion Design Masters of China in 2005, Lu Kun’s pathway to even greater success was clear.
Celebrated for melding hints of bygone Sino eras with modern effects, Lu Kun’s appeal is broad.
Experience teaching at La Salle International Fashion School and then establishing his own made-to-order business saw Lu Kun top this by opening Mirror Studio on the prestigious Yan An Xi Lu in 2003.
In 2004, Lu Kun also held his first international fashion show at Three on the Bund and in October of the same year, was a key part of Shanghai Fashion Week.
The following year saw two of Lu Kun’s designs exhibited in a lauded exhibition at the Jendela Visual Arts Space of the Esplanade in Singapore.
The Chinese Society’s Annual Charity Ball, also in Singapore, saw Lu Kun’s designs feature in the same month.
Then in May 2005, a Couture Fashion Show at Raffles City in Singapore during the Singapore Fashion Festival attracted almost 2000 avid couture fans. Following this in April, that year, Lu Kun presented his Autumn/Winter range at the Shanghai Fashion Festival.
Next up was one of Lu Kun’s pivotal public moments wherein he was handpicked to be a feature designer for the Shangri La luxury hotel group’s launch celebrations in London. With Shanghai being the location of the flagship Shangri La hotel chain, it was natural for the designer of choice to be a local artist and, for the opulent couture show designed to highlight the opening party festivities in London’s famed 300 year-old Goldsmiths’ Hall, the choice was, of course, Lu Kun.
It was here, where VIP guests included Francesca Versace, Jimmy Choo, the Ferragamo sisters and many other UK high-society fashionistas, that several high-end London based department stores leapt at the opportunity to connect with Lu Kun and indicate their keen interest in the then up-and-coming designer’s work.
This, Lu Kun’s first couture show in London, marked a tangible turning point for the designer’s halcyon career.
This was promptly followed by a request from the Chinese Central Government for
Lu Kun to present his work in Moscow at a fashion show for Chinese and Russian government dignitaries.
The Shanghai Formula One Circuit racetrack was the next place where Lu Kun worked his magic, being the first designer to present a show at such a prestigious venue. This exciting
event was complemented by BMW’s launch of their newest vehicles at the same time.
Recently, in March 2006, a request from the government of Colombia
saw Lu Kun’s garments feature in a show as part of the feted “Plataforma-K”
fashion event in Barranquilla.
This past September Lu Kun released, at the St. Regis Hotel in Beijing, a special new collection which was shown at the in collaboration with top brands like Ferrari and menswear giant Ermenegildo Zegna.
