To become a fashion icon in Hong Kong, you might not necessarily have to work within the fashion industry but you will surely have to be associated with the entertainment circle. Edison Chen (CLOT), Juno Mak (Chapel of Dawn) and Jan Lamb (30'mething) are three examples of performer-turn-fashion label owner. Their status of being mainstream fashion icons are benefiting not only their fashion houses but also their performing careers. However, one person has done completely the opposite in which his great music turns him into a fashion icon, he is Eason Chan.

   Following in the footsteps of his idol Jacky Cheung, Eason is currently being hailed as the top vocal performer in Hong Kong. Some might argue that he might not be as technically consistent as Jacky (although he is already extremely good) but I think he has more than made up for it through his dedication to originality, willingness to try alternate combinations and energetic stage presence. While many people might, after a sustained period of success, prefer to stay in their comfort zone to reduce the chances of making career damaging mistakes, Eason is always challenging himself by looking out for variations when he records new materials, or adding to his established classics during live performances. As he said on many occasions, he only wants to have fun with music.

  His colourful personality is often reflected through, not only his music, but also through his choice of extravagant and playful clothing. I remember seeing a selection of photos taken of him during last year's Golden Melody Awards Ceremony in Taiwan, where he won an award for the 'Best Mandarin Album'. The first image I looked at was taken from the back and he was wearing what looked like a simple black suit. However, the next image, shot from the front, he had unbuttoned his jacket to reveal layers of material, in the form of ballet tutu, attached to the inside of his blazer. Along with his cropped trousers and red shoes, he has added an element of fun into what was originally a boring evening look.

  Eason's willingness to wear vibrant colours and put on clothes with a variety of silhouettes remind me heavily of designs by COMME des GARCONS. For a number of its previous collections, CdG, headed by Japanese designer Rei Kawakubu, combined tailored menswear with corsets and flowery prints. This fusion of menswear and feminine elements is much like the garments Eason wore for his 'Moving on Stage...' concert series in Hong Kong. For Which he had collaborated with his close friend Wyman Wong, a former DJ, now a lyricist and fashion stylist, to bring for the audience a range of extraordinarily daring outfits that included a white lace top and veil similar to a wedding dress.   

  CdG has long been attached with a cult status in the fashion industry as it has pull away from other mainstream perception with its creativity and ability to break established rules. The same can be said of Eason as he is also pulling away from the mainstream with his avant-garde dress sense and therefore, in my opinion, he should be viewed as Hong Kong's cult fashion icon.