16 February 2018

EXCLUSIVE: Ryan LO’s guide to love and romance

We caught up with LO at his sugar-coated AW18 presentation.

[“]She’s not a girl, she’s not a woman,” Ryan LO tells Hunger at his AW18 collection presentation, perched on a pastel Ladurée-esque pink chair in Soho’s Sketch gallery. “[It’s] all about contradictions.”

It seems fitting that the most unbearable contradiction of them all is explored this season: L-O-V-E. Iconic feel-good romance flicks seem to be referenced throughout – from Splash-worthy mermaid glitter gowns to 50 shades of pink a la Shirley MacLaine in What a Way to Go! But in the words of Whitney Houston, this is about the greatest love of all; Me, Myself and I.

Inspired by Yayoi Kusama’s quote “I LOVE ME!”, Lo wanted to create a greatest hits collection of sorts – showcasing Ryan LO’s women in all their complicated glory – kitsch, sexy, bad and cute. Returning to a presentation format, in the powder puff pink gallery, the designer’s signatures were out in full force, featuring a sugar-coated mix of pussy bow blouses, Marie Antoinette dresses, rainbow stripes and West’s elegance-meets-East’s-kawaii. In keeping with the romantic theme of the day, we quizzed Ryan LO on the big L word…

Favourite quote on love? “Love is what you want” by Tracey Emin

Best love song of all time? Minnie Riperton’s Lovin’ you – ah that high note that no-one can reach!

Go-to rom-com? Sex and the City.

What does love look like to you? Comfort in your own skin.

The most romantic thing that anyone has done for you? No-one has done anything romantic for me – all dressed up and nowhere to go!

Best romantic anime to watch? I love Sukehiro Tomita’s Wedding Peach – the main characters are always in pink and they’re always transforming themselves.