Denise Ho: Creative Director of The R Collective
Introducing Denise Ho, Hong Kong’s acclaimed stylist and Creative Director at The R Collective. Denise combines her passion for sustainable fashion, ethics, and styling expertise to exemplify thoughtfulness in her designs. We explore her inspirations and view on sustainability in fashion, as well as her advice on how she styles certain pieces from ‘Start From Zero’.
What or who first inspired you to start your career in fashion and who is your muse at The R Collective?
My mom definitely inspired me to get into fashion. She was the buyer for Jean Paul Gaultier and at that time, fashion was still an untouchable luxury. My mom would introduce me to all her “fashion friends” and I was always so overwhelmed by how well put together they all were.
I honestly don’t think I have a specific muse per se. But I am always inspired by women who are wise, elegant, career-driven and has great individual style. My designs are relevant to these interesting women and I learn from them every day.
With fast fashion on the rise within the past few decades, what keeps you grounded from getting sucked into ‘trends’?
I never really get sucked into trends even as a stylist. Working with Redress for the past 6 years definitely made me realise that it is important to say ‘No’ to fast fashion. It was easy to get caught up because fast fashion was everywhere. But fashion does have the power to change people’s minds in a very quick way and now people are a lot more conscious when they shop.
At what point in your career did you start to prioritise sustainability and why?
I started when I had my kidswear brand. We were wasting so much fabric and money on sampling. Plus there is so much wastage in kidswear as they grow out of their clothing so quickly. I lost interest and didn’t want to do it anymore.

Courtesy of The R Collective. Read the full article here