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Divia Harilela

Contributing writer for Style by SCMP, specialising in fashion, beauty and lifestyle


Couture designer Barney Cheng is a household name in luxury fashion both in Hong Kong and abroad. He has dressed a slew of international celebrities in his intricately crafted creations including Michelle Yeoh, Maggie Cheung, Gong Li and Carina Lau.
How do you define style?

Style is one’s innate ability to project oneself, reinforced by key pieces of clothing.
What was the most iconic fashion moment for Hong Kong in the last two decades?

Louis Vuitton’s 150th anniversary party at Tamar in 2005. Hong Kong was chosen as one of four international destinations for the historic celebration and that party put Hong Kong on the luxury fashion map.
And the most memorable fashion event you’ve personally attended?

Dior’s couture show in 2014 by Raf Simons. The collection was next level – fresh, modern and yet quintessentially Dior.
How have fashion tastes evolved?

The halcyon days of the 1990s are very much over – back then, high society literally wore complete outfits torn from the pages of French Vogue. Now it’s a much more laid-back, less in-your-face kind of style. Brand loyalty is dead and long gone, as consumers are much more price-sensitive, and are aligning with authentic brands that speak to their values.
Who are your favourite local style icons?
Siao Fong Fong – the quintessential movie star, lover of minority tribe fashions and champion of local designers. I also love Chelsea Chau. She’s quirky with her own individual style.
Which local designers are on your radar?

I haven’t really kept abreast of new designers but I loved the new show by Tigers Trolling at Centrestage. My first impression was Galliano tongue-in-cheek à la Maison Margiela final collection but with a definite Yau Tsim Mong flavour that’s so authentic and delightful.


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Fashion

In their words: Barney Cheng on why there’s no more brand loyalty in fashion

Barney Cheng has dressed celebrities like Michelle Yeoh, Maggie Cheung, Gong Li and Carina Lau. Photo: Handout

Celina Jade dressed by Barney Cheng in 2018. Photo: Handout

Kelly Rowland of Destiny’s Child performing at Louis Vuitton’s 150th anniversary party in 2005, at Tamar in Hong Kong. Photo: Ricky Chung

The Dior haute couture spring/summer 2014 show, held in West Kowloon. Photo: Getty Images

Curtain call at Barney Cheng’s Snö show in 2023. Photo: Handout

Designer Tiger Chung of Tigerstrolling. Photo: Handout

In their words: photographer Wing Shya recalls 20 years of style highs in Hong Kong

Photographer, artist and director Wing Shya is a regular contributor to top fashion and art magazines. Photo: Handout

“The Love of Couture: Artisanship in Fashion Beyond Time” exhibition (2022) was a collaboration between K11, Hong Kong designer William Chang and London’s V&A. Photo: K11 Musea 

In 2024, Vivienne Tam celebrated her 30th anniversary at Paris Fashion Week with a show named Amour 愛. Photo: Gorunway.com 

Yat Pit fashion designer and co-founder, Jason Mui. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Shya’s fashion shoot for i-D magazine. Photo: Wing Shya

Byredo’s Young Rose campaign (2021). Photo: Leslie Zhang

Flashback: style icon Yoyo Cao looks back on her favourite outfits

Through the years, Yoyo Cao has brought originality, variety and vitality to all her looks. Photos: Getty Images

Yoyo Cao, looking riveting in red. Photo: Getty Images

Yoyo Cao in Gucci. Photo: Getty Images

Yoyo Cao in Celine. Photo: Getty Images

Yoyo Cao in Chanel. Photo: Getty Images

Yoyo Cao in a striking white Shushu/Tong outfit. Photo: Getty Images

Yoyo Cao in Nicole + Felicia. Photo: Getty Images

Fashion month hair and make-up looks: from Chanel’s chrome glitter to Gucci’s Y2K revival

Chanel (left) and Simone Rocha wowed with their hair and make-up looks at the fall/winter 2026 fashion week shows. Photos: EPA, Handout

Prada’s runway saw models like Liu Wen with softly smeared liner and bare skin that embraced undone elegance. Photo: Handout

Bella Hadid sporting the “tired girl” look at Prada, complete with smudged charcoal eyes. Photo: Handout

Dramatic, smoked-out liner adds to the noughties drama at Gucci. Photo: Handout

Channelling Y2K party girl vibes at Gucci. Photo: Handout

Sleek centre-parted hair pulled into a low ponytail harks back to the 1990s at Fendi. Photo: Handout

A model at Fendi wears a low-effort nape ’do that nods to 90s minimalism. Photo: Handout

Dramatic electric-blue winged shadow brings a graphic edge to the Balenciaga runway. Photo: Handout

A model at Balenciaga wears a bold cobalt wing sweeping towards the brow. Photo: Handout

Artfully rumpled waves and gleaming boho hair trinkets at Chloé. Photo: Handout

Silver eyeshadow complements glitter-slicked hair at Chanel. Photo: EPA

The classic matte red lip is the star of the show at Celine. Photo: MeetEurope/Handout via Xinhua

A sleek, slicked-back bun at Schiaparelli. Photo: Handout

Softly smudged black kohl, artfully applied at Dior. Photo: Handout

A model at Simone Rocha sports rows of faux silver eyebrow piercings that give her otherwise soft look a razor-sharp edge. Photo: Handout

In their words: Peter Cheung on why Hong Kong fashion fans are ahead of trends

Peter Cheung with Donatella Versace in 2017. Photo: Handout

Peter Cheung with Michelle Yeoh and Josephine Siao Fong-fong in 2011. Photo: Handout

Peter Cheung with Michelle Yeoh at a Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong party in October 2023. Photo: Getty Images

Anita Mui Yim-fong in 1992. Photo: SCMP Archives

Pharrell Williams, men’s creative director of Louis Vuitton, at the brand’s pre-fall 2024 show in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Flashback: style consultant Declan Chan on his favourite outfits

Declan Chan does suiting and street style equally well. Photos: Getty Images, Handout

Declan Chan in Bobby Abley. Photo: Getty Images

Declan Chan in Craig Green. Photo: Getty Images

Declan Chan in Calvin Klein. Photo: Getty Images

Declan Chan in Valentino. Photo: Handout

Declan Chan in Louis Vuitton. Photo: Handout

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The couture stylist talks about Hong Kong’s fashion evolution, his favourite moments, and the authentic local designers who’ve caught his eye


The couture stylist talks about Hong Kong’s fashion evolution, his favourite moments, and the authentic local designers who’ve caught his eye.


In their words: Barney Cheng on why there’s no more brand loyalty in fashion

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The couture stylist talks about Hong Kong’s fashion evolution, his favourite moments, and the authentic local designers who’ve caught his eye

The couture stylist talks about Hong Kong’s fashion evolution, his favourite moments, and the authentic local designers who’ve caught his eye