Kevin Poon

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Kevin Poon
Born Hong Kong
Occupation Entrepreneur, fashion designer, event organizer
Known for CLOT, JUICE

Kevin Poon is a Hong Kong-based entrepreneur, fashion designer, event organizer, and blogger.[1][2][3] He is the co-founder of Hong Kong’s streetwear brand CLOT. He also launched JUICE, an international retailer with outlets across Asia including Shanghai, Taipei, and Kuala Lumpur.[1][4]

Early life and education

Poon was born in Hong Kong and studied at Hong Kong International School before moving to North America. He has lived in Chicago, Vancouver and Los Angeles, moving back to Hong Kong in 2003. Poon holds a degree in finance from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.

Career

CLOT and JUICE

Poon and childhood friend Edison Chen founded fashion label CLOT in 2003 shortly after Poon graduated from Pepperdine.[2][5] As well as fashion, CLOT has tapped into various aspects of youth culture including music, art and design.[4][5][6]

In 2004, Poon opened JUICE, a retail store specializing in designer streetwear and accessories. CLOT products have a strong presence in the numerous JUICE stores located across Asia.[4]

In 2006, CLOT made its entry into the American marketplace.[5] The brand has announced plans to continue its expansion to reach markets in major fashion hubs across the globe including New York, Los Angeles, Paris and London.[5]

Also in 2006, CLOT organized the Hong Kong leg of the Hennessy V.S.O.P Kanye West ‘Touch the Sky’ tour. It was West’s only Asian stop on the world tour and his first time performing in Hong Kong. CLOT arranged for West to perform at what is now known as the West Kowloon Cultural District, a 200,000 square foot venue. CLOT co-founder Edison Chen was the opening act for West.[7]

CLOT helped to organize the launch for luxury handbag label Coach’s flagship store opening in Hong Kong, 2008, also at the West Kowloon Cultural District. The grand-scale party was held in a structure built and customized just for the event. World class acts were organized to entertain guests attending the party, including multi Grammy-award-winning artist John Mayer, DJ A.M and original winners of America’s Best Dance Crew, the Jabbawockeez.

CLOT organized the after party for the Coach event in 2008, which was held at the Hong Kong nightclub Volar and featured acts signed to acclaimed French record label Ed Banger including Uffie, SebastiAn, Dj Mehdi, Busy P and others.

The CLOT label promotes collaboration between Eastern and Western styles. CLOT has collaborated with brands such as Adidas, Converse, Lacoste, Headporter, Pepsi, and with American hip-hop artist Kanye West.[2][8][9] The brand developed a shoe for Nike called the “Kiss of Death” which marked the first ever collaboration between Nike and a Hong Kong-based label.[2]

From June 2010 to June 2011, JUICE collaborated with Disney to host a pop-up store called “Man in the Forest”. The project housed a collection of Disney collaborations by leading designers, including CLOT. The collaboration between CLOT and Disney represented a unique fusion between Disney symbols and Eastern design principles. The pop-up store’s name was derived from a line in Disney’s animated film, Bambi.[1]

In September 2012, CLOT collaborated with Japanese brand Casio to produce the G-Shock 30th anniversary wristwatch.[10] The product is a bright red watch with a distinctively retro design.

In October 2012, CLOT unveiled the CLOT x Converse First String Pro Leather, their latest collaboration with Converse. The shoe is a rendition of Converse’s iconic Pro Leather silhouette, available in high-cut and low editions. The collaboration was celebrated at JUICE in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.

District Distribution, LLC.

Recognizing an increasing demand for international lifestyle products in the Asia market, Poon launched District Distribution, LLC in early 2011. Combining his knowledge, skills and connections in the fashion industry with an in-depth understanding of the Asia market, Poon’s mission with District is to help select international brands gain a foothold in Asia.

District Distribution focuses on distributing accessories such as footwear, bags and gadgets. Native Shoes, Herschel, Happy Socks, Case Scenario and Baxter of California are just some of the brands currently under the District umbrella. Through District, these brands are now distributed throughout Hong Kong, China and select cities in South-East Asia.[11]

Aside from distribution, District helps to build and manage brand presence through coverage in local media and endorsements from local trend-setters and celebrities.

Following the success of its Hong Kong office, Poon opened a second District office in Taipei, Taiwan just a year later in early 2012.[12]

Other Ventures

For Hong Kong Social Media Week 2011, Poon was selected as a panelist at a blogging discussion, along with several other local personalities to discuss the function and future of blogging and social media.[13] Poon maintains his own blog on the website Hypebeast, where he frequently posts updates on fashion, art, and news about upcoming events for CLOT or JUICE.

Poon collaborated with optical store LensCrafters to open concept pop-up store WOAW! in 2011. The temporary space housed a collection of luxury eyewear brands including Illesteva, Karen Walker, Thierry Lasry, Subcrew by Mikli and more.[14]

In May 2012, Poon helped organize the “The Nature of Need” at Galerie Perrotin in Hong Kong ; a solo exhibition of artworks by Brooklyn-based artist KAWS.[15]

In June 2012, Poon was in charge of a fashion project known as “Hello, world” with popular American fashion label J. Crew. The project was a series of videos and photo shoots which features models and designers from around the world.[16] Poon also played a role in the J.Crew’s introduction to the Asia market in October 2012, helping to organize its highly successful cocktail launch party at Hong Kong luxury department store Lane Crawford.

Also in October 2012, Poon teamed up with California shoe company TOMS to organize an event at Lane Crawford’s IFC store in Hong Kong. For the event, Poon arranged for artists such as Charles Muska, Prodip and Jin Meyersen to customize pairs of TOMS shoes. The shoes were then sold at a silent auction, which was also organized by Poon.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Kevin Poon of CLOT's Top 10 Hong Kong Experiences, Complex Mag, retrieved August 7, 2010 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 S.S. YOGA, Hitting the streets, The Star Online, retrieved June 25, 2009 
  3. ↑ W5&H: KEVIN POON, Herschel Supply Company, retrieved September 24, 2012 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 About Clot, CLOT 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Chang, Jennifer (Oct 12, 2006), "Made in Hong Kong: Edison Chen’s Clot Streetwear Line Makes Its Western Debut", Daily News Record: 36(40), 8 
  6. ↑ Edison Chen Interview, Beinghunted Online Magazine 
  7. ↑ Hennessy V.S.O.P Kanye West Touch the Sky Tour Live in Hong, HKClubbing.com, retrieved October 21, 2006 
  8. ↑ Sun, Andrew (Oct 13, 2006), "Kanye West Set to Come East for One Night in HK", South China Morning Post: 2 
  9. ↑ Sun, Andrew (April 7, 2010), "Clot’s Main Man Puts Creative Foot Forward for Converse", South China Morning Post: 2 
  10. ↑ A New Casio G-SHOCK Collaboration Model with CLOT Released, Pan Orient News, retrieved September 12, 2012 
  11. ↑ DISTRICT, DISTRICT DISTRIBUTION CO. LTD. 
  12. ↑ Around the world, The Hundreds, retrieved June 22, 2012 
  13. ↑ SOCIAL MEDIA WEEK HONG KONG, Social Media Week, retrieved January 29, 2011 
  14. ↑ Chen, Vivian (June 8, 2011), "Hipsters Embrace Their Dark Side with New Trend for Wearing Shades at Night", South China Morning Post: 2 
  15. ↑ Maeland, Alex, KAWS "The Nature of Need" Exhibition Galerie Perrotin Hong Kong, Hypebeast, retrieved May 15, 2012 
  16. ↑ HELLO, J. CREW!, cindiddy.com, retrieved June 20, 2012 

External links

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