Vivian Luk: Hong Kong Fashion Designer to Watch

Fête Chinoise Exclusive: On the Ground in Hong Kong at Hong Kong Fashion Fest 2026
Written by Anna Au-Yeung
Photography credits: Kim Lo
Images Courtesy of Vivian Luk, Hong Kong Fashion Council

Vivian Luk is THE transformational Hong Kong fashion designer Chinese-Canadians should know about. Before establishing her own successful brand in Hong Kong, Vivian spent a highly formative part of her life in Toronto, having immigrated with her family to Canada in 1987.

Vivian Luk

Vivian Luk and father Spencer Luk in Earl Haig high school

Growing up, Vivian’s early art education was guided by her father, a fine artist and interior designer whose perspective of art and the world made an impact on her development. Vivian attended Claude Watson School for the Performing Arts from Grade 8, continuing the specialized arts program at Earl Haig high school, then completed a foundational year at the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD).  From witnessing firsthand, her father’s ability to listen and interpret client stories and personalities into living design; it was during this period in her life that Vivian determined her calling as a fashion designer.

Following her dreams, Vivian attended Parsons School of Design and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. While completing her studies, she interned with Donna Karan Black Label, later stepping into her first professional fashion role with DKNY Girls. Vivian then joined Vera Wang, specializing in Bridal and Celebrity Made-to-Order for major red-carpet moments including the Oscars, honing the skills and craftsmanship that would take her back to Hong Kong to establish her own atelier.  

Vivian’s debut fashion show in 2010 was poetically titled Pan - based on the fairytale character Peter Pan - about someone who was able to fly high and escape, a character that was daring and filled with the exuberance of youth.  Pan was a collection of eveningwear imbued with Vivan’s trademark draping technique.  Now with VIRTUOSE 2026 The Artistry of Couture, in a full-circle moment, Vivan’s collection is titled Enchanted - Through the Eyes of Wendy.  

2010 ‘Pan’ Fashion show at Cirpriani

During the 15 years between collections Pan and Enchanted - Vivian’s design perspective has been refined after different seasons in life.  Her journey has brought her through many ups and downs, including marriage, her first battle with cancer while being pregnant with her daughter Kaylen, becoming a mother, and a second battle with cancer 4 years later, and then the impact of Covid on the fashion industry.  

With the birth of her daughter and with growing demand for children’s couture, Vivan branched out to create children’s couture label Little Miss Luk, and she hosted a charity fashion show where a dress named after her daughter raised an impressive $300,000 HKD for a children’s cancer charity. During the pandemic, Vivian needed to continue creating and so she illustrated and wrote a children’s book where characters embodying Creativity, Courage and Kindness wore dresses of her designs.  She also started teaching fashion draping courses to children through paper crafting.  Post-covid, Vivian experimented with a maternity line and direction of mother and daughter photoshoots, and in 2024, Vivian presented her first women’s Ready-To-Wear collection. Through the experience of these different years of artistic crossovers; Vivian’s couture collection for VIRTUOSE was born.

Little Miss Luk collection

Children’s Book front cover

Children’s Book Back cover

Hand painted Honeycomb dress on the runway at the charity fashion show

Mother (Alison Chan El-Azar) and Daughter (Kaiai) Photoshoot Collaboration with Kindred Studio

The Enchanted collection represents the culmination of Vivian’s evolution and transformation over the past 18 years, referencing Wendy’s development in the classic fairytale, where she left Neverland to embrace the real world with new maturity and bravery.  

With this refinement, comes resilience and honesty. Opening this year’s VIRTUOSE couture show - the flagship event of Hong Kong’s 3rd edition of Fashion Fest, Vivan’s designs continue to feature her signature draping technique where the look is both romantic yet modern; feminine yet dramatic — what is distinct is now the couture craftsmanship bridges ready-to-wear clarity.

Chartreuse Mikado Long Biker’s Jacket with a Ruffles Train, Biased Long Pants & Lace Corset

Celadon Faille Lotus Top & Deep Pleat Biased Pant

Iridescent Aqua Sea-foam Green Organza Lily Top & Butterfly Pants

Apple Green Sateen Gauze Draped Pirate Dress, Duchess Satin Shorts & Nude Shantung Draped Midriff Belt with Horsehair Trims

Metallic Iridescent Lavender Fairy Gown

Sparkling Pink & Lavender Tulle Giant Pear Sleeves Cape & Tulip Shorts

Metallic Striped Lilac Pink Shantung One Shoulder Gown with a Side Ruffle & Shadow Legs Trim

Violet Butterfly Faille Gown with Horsehair Trims

Two Layered Deep & Bright Red Organza Draped Pirate Bodysuit & Mikado Wrapped Orchid High Low Skirt

Stripped Painted Mikado Mermaid Gown with Hand Draped Neckline

Ten masterpieces were created for the show.  Vivian’s designs are understated in terms of embellishment - yet structural and bold in the volume and movement of the designs on the body.  Even when wearing the design and staying still, there is an impression of movement with the wrapping of the draping.  The Enchanted collection included two-piece sets and gowns of predominantly a single colour palette which illuminated a sophisticated and cohesive ethereal effect.  

Virtuose fashion show at Hong Kong Palace Museum

Celadon Faille Lotus Top & Deep Pleat Biased Pant

Back of the Violet Butterfly Gown. Photo: Anna Au-Yeung.

Ohe Shoulder Metallic Striped Pink Mermaid Gown. Photo: Anna Au-Yeung.

Multi Painted Coral, red and Hot Pink Rose Gown. Photo: Anna Au-Yeung.

Violet Butterfly Gown. Photo: Anna Au-Yeung.

I was struck with how wearable this couture collection presented. Two piece sets could be worn together or separately; pieces could be configured to produce different looks due to the nature of the construction of the designs. Aside from the beauty of the collection, the designs looked comfortable and easy to wear. Although the designs could be voluminous, the fabrics appear soft and light, and movement was not hindered. If the VIRTUOSE fashion show audience was anything to go by, Vivian’s work resonates with many women of style who were proudly wearing her creations while attending the show. Every person in her garments looked like they moved with comfort and ease.

Amanda S and Stephanie Au Olympian Swimmer on the right wearing Vivian Luk

Ameera Khan in a soft draped pink jumpsuit and Molly Chiang in a red bow back jacket and pant suit both by Vivian Luk

⁠⁠11 year old Rae in a white soft mikado bow back jacket and the Honeycomb skirt with her mother Kim Biu Kollar

All Vivian Luk clients wearing her rtw designs - from left to right - Hilda Chan, Athena Li, Vicky Li, Teresa Luk (Vivian’s mom), Ida Luk, Qiqi Li, Edi Ho, Dorothy Law

At the VIRTUOSE show, as attendees waited in anticipation and the music started; model Christina Chung opened the show for Vivian Luk wearing her Chartreuse Mikado Long Biker’s Jacket with a Ruffles Train over a high low honeycomb skirt crafted in shades of pastel pink. 

Christina Chung in Chartreuse Mikado Long Biker’s Jacket and Rainbow Organza Skirt

Christina, a Hong Kong model and mother to 7 girls, started modelling in her 50s.  Vivian intentionally chose the iconic Christina to open the show — showcasing a mature model who serves as a reminder that beauty is not bound by age and that it is never too late to chase your dreams. Christina also reminded me how Vivian’s design voice is timeless and crafted by a woman who knows how to elevate other women’s elegance.  

Prior to the show, I had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of Christina’s second eldest daughter Cynthia, who was in the audience to support her mother modeling for Vivian.  As Christina walked out, it was evident how proud Cynthia was as we all watched Christina capture the audience’s attention wearing Vivian Luk’s signature style of draping into asymmetrical lines - the silk fabric cascading in ripples and waves. And in that same moment, Vivian was sitting with her daughter Kaylen who was present as Vivian’s work was displayed and as she received her accolades.  As much as Kaylen has contributed to inspiring Vivian’s work and direction, the inspiration to Kaylen is mirrored, continuing the synergistic artistic relationship that Vivian had with her father.  When interviewing Vivian and thinking of my own daughter, I had to ask what advice could Vivian share with the younger generation looking to get into artistic fields?

Photo of Vivian Luk and Christina Chung backstage.

Vivan Luk with her husband Jason Lee and daughter Kaylen Lee. Kaylen contributed to the ZigZag skirt in a fitting by suggesting the ruffles can be flipped up and turned into overalls

Helena Pong, Tansy Lau, Jennifer Cheng, Isabella Liang, Maya Lin, Catherine Ku, Tanya Tanushka, Antonia Cruz.

Spencer Luk and Kelvin Luk - Vivian’s father and brother at the show

“In today’s society, the younger generation have a tendency to get caught up on social media looking at what other people are doing.  They might get bogged down in expectations they set for themselves based on what other people are doing and spend more time watching then actually creating.  If you want to get into the arts, spend your time without distraction doing your own art. Follow your gut and be free and intentional when defining your art. Hone your craft. After you have a good sense of your own artistic direction, then it is okay to be inspired or brainstorm with other people and benchmark yourself and get feedback.”

Words of wisdom from a fashion designer that is an example in continually transforming and honing her own creative path.  

Moka Fong in Vivian Luk

Bonita Cheung

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