Camy Tam
An exhibition about activewear fashion created by local artist Simon Kuong Chi Fung for Macau’s ANIFA brand is on display at the Macau Fashion Gallery (MFG) as part of the “2021 Brand Story – Macau Original Fashion Exhibition III” co-organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) and Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Centre (CPTTM).
According to a CPTTM statement, the exhibition series provides participants with the opportunity to showcase their latest creations and share them with the public through the MFG platform, “bursting with brand vitality”.
The statement underlines that the works are the result of countless remodelling, “full of silent bitterness, and the stories behind them attract fashion enthusiasts imperceptibly.”
The “Brand Story” series was first launched in 2017 and eight local brands have been selected for this year’s exhibition, namely Nega C., Lexx Moda, ANIFA, Common Comma, PUI, Demi*D, NO.42 and C/W COLLECTIVE. The designs are to be showcased in eight phases, with one brand being featured in each phase, according to a statement by the gallery.
According to a leaflet by the gallery, the third phase of the exhibition features local activewear fashion label ANIFA founded by Kuong in 2017. The label is committed to adding high-tech materials, art and functionality to fashion design. “The brand concept is to create the most stunning functional clothing of the future,” the leaflet states.
According to an article on the gallery’s website, Kuong is the vice-president of the Macau Fashion Designer Association. He graduated from Kingston University (London) in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in computing and business and a master’s degree in international management from King’s College (London) in 2007.
He grew up in a family running a clothing business and has a keen interest in design. He worked as a web designer and graphic designer, and in various roles in garment manufacturing, production, research and development.
The article underlines that the current exhibition is themed “Future Sport Suit”, which mainly displays Kuong’s Cyber Space and Sports Suit collections. “The Cyber Space collection is inspired by Ghost in the Shell [a 2017 science fiction action film directed by Rupert Sanders], representing the human soul that seeks freedom and the eye of humanity that can see into future society and phenomena.
“The gradient effect is made from a new technology, space cotton, with a four-way stretch fabric that provides freedom of movement to all freedom lovers. “The fabric is also water repellent and super breathable, making it an ultimate enjoyment to wear the clothing.”
According to the article, “the Sports Suits collection is ANIFA’s future functional clothing that adopts modern technology.
“Sport has become a big part of people’s lives today and the Sports Suit collection offers new-era suits suitable for young people, integrating functional activewear elements into the design.
“For fabric selection, the collection uses new space cotton, as well as the latest sports knit fabric with water-repellent treatment.”
The “2021 Brand Story – Macau Original Fashion Exhibition III” runs until June 6 at the Macau Fashion Gallery at 47 Rua de S. Roque, S. Lázaro district. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily (except Mondays). Admission is free.
As part of the government’s COVID-19 epidemic prevention measures, all visitors entering the venue have to wear a facemask, have their temperature checked and present a digital health code.
For enquiries, please call 2835 3341 or visit the website https://macaofashiongallery.com/en/.
Photos: Camy Tam
