There is no question Alex Lam inherited his musical talent from his parents, his father staying Cantopop legend George Lam Chi-Cheung, and his mother, Sally Yeh. Even now, the singer-songwriter and actor has not let privilege get to his head — he’s not fearful to explore other paths, from a stint in Los Angeles to discover yoga and starting to be a yoga trainer, to dipping his toes in fashion.
Lam satisfied Hiro Yoshikawa, founder and designer of Washi Denims, a Japanese denim brand, a few a long time back again and was intrigued by the designer’s backstory. Now dependent in Hong Kong, Yoshikawa is the 18th era of a revered sake maker in Okayama, Japan, and the very first to go away the family members enterprise to go after his individual enthusiasm in denim-creating. By likelihood, Yoshikawa experienced discovered an old doc that charted out his family’s historical past, prepared on washi paper. Encouraged by this, he developed and patented the Washi No. 6 paper yarn, which he makes use of in his very first solo collection launching this thirty day period.
Lam, who has always had an eye for element, rapidly became an ambassador and muse for Yoshikawa, and took it upon himself to bring the recognition Yoshikawa warrants by assisting him phase his impending solo debut.
We sit down with Alex Lam and Hiro Yoshikawa at Washi Jean’s studio to converse about design and style and the impending debut of Yoshikawa’s solo selection Life on Earth.
Can you describe your style? What are your wardrobe essentials?
AL: My design has always been encouraged by musicians. I grew up observing some of my favourite bands like The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and these days, I’m encouraged by singers like Drake. For me, my summer time necessities consist of a sleeveless vest, a very good multi-functional blazer and a pair of superior-quality designer denims.
Have you usually been passionate about manner and did you want to do the job in style?
AL: I have usually cared about how I glimpse and my outfits because I was a child. I try to remember there was a single time when the collar of my t-shirt was not right and I wouldn’t wear it out until my moms and dads fixed it for me. Getting friends who are in the vogue marketplace permits me to execute and experiment my strategies in the course of workshops, like the ‘marshmallow’ colourway of the t-shirt I’m wearing right now.
How did the both equally of you fulfill?
AL: I fulfilled Hiro-san imagined some of our mutual friends.
HY: have been making jeans for other manufacturers for the earlier 30 many years and it has normally been my dream to have my possess denim model. I have generally hung out with people from the style business, and conference Alex from the audio and performing planet has made my everyday living more fun and enjoyable.
Can you explain to us a bit about your venture with Hiro-san?
AL: I was hanging out with a team of producers and we normally talk about vogue demonstrates, designer brands’ films, installation artwork and new music. As soon as we discovered out Hiro-san wanted to launch his own denim manufacturer this yr, we resolved to catch this option and set our ideas collectively. We are organising a VIP start function with a manner present on June 11, 2021.
What was the most important obstacle you experienced to overcome with this job?
AL: I consider the rules of the game improved just after Covid began previous 12 months. We looked at on the net manner shows last year, devoid of the custom styles, and we realized our crew essential to do it in a cleverer way. The restriction for function collecting is 30 persons at the minute, so we were being not in a position to invite way too a lot of pals and make the event as large as in advance of. Moreover the marketing campaign and style display movie shoot all in one day, which is the largest obstacle in this venture.
HY: We have been being in our studio just about each individual day is the previous number of months, meeting distinct parties like our PR workforce, styles, videographers and producers.
What else are you up to this yr that you can share with us?
AL: I have unveiled a new song and I just finished a tunes video for a different song. I have also been functioning on my YouTube channel and produced a number of sequence, but it is been slightly slowed down for the reason that I was focusing in this venture.
Has the pandemic afflicted the way you get the job done or transformed your priorities?
AL: Just before Covid, I was busy operating with clients, who often ready anything. With alterations and restrictions throughout this period of time, I am capable to organise and create far more information by myself.
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Alex Lam -
Alex Lam with Hiro Yoshikawa at his studio -
A pair of Washi Denims on display screen
What are you now encouraged by?
AL: There are many indie musicians and younger young children out there who are undertaking their songs in their exceptional variations. I admire them a whole lot as they can launch tunes as lengthy as they imagine it appears very good. I used believe fantastic songs requires the finest studio and recording equipment, but turned out a good deal of indie musicians are creating superior high-quality songs just by operating at property.
You have a YouTube channel, you are into manner, new music as effectively as traditional automobiles. How did you get into each of all those passions and how do you equilibrium it all?
AL: Job by undertaking. I’m now focusing much more on amount around excellent and I’ll preserve discovering from the progress and errors.
Do you have a motto you reside by?
Stay wholesome. As I was a yoga instructor, I even now practice yoga for two to 3 hours every single day. It is a superior way to mirror on myself and locate peace.