Meet the honourees of Lifestyle Asia 30 2024

Lifestyle Asia’s LSA 30 list celebrates thirty individuals based in Hong Kong who have inspired, motivated, and made this city a better place in 2024. These individuals have enriched the culture of this city and have been change-makers in their respective communities.

Meet the honourees of Lifestyle Asia 30 2024

Arthur Bray

Starting from the ground up, Arthur Bray (@arthur.bray) went from passing out club flyers with his twin brother Tom to starting his own music label, Yeti Out, bringing talents from all over the world under one roof. A man of many hats, Arthur is also a DJ, radio host, editor, creative producer, and music consultant who engages in ventures across music, fashion, and editorial, all while hosting events everywhere from Egypt to Tibet, making ripples in the international nightlife scene.

“Everything excites me! I wake up on a Monday and look outside and see the sun. That’s more than enough reason to feel blessed.”

Derek Dali

As the first Hong Kong artist to sign on to 88rising, Derek (@thederekdali) is bringing his own brand of music in order to bridge cultures. In the last few years, Derek has been an artist to watch for in Hong Kong. Making a splash in major music festivals such as HITC and Clockenflap, Derek has taken further steps in the last year and worked with major brands and other artists.

“The idea of bridging cultures, western and eastern cultures…has always been what I wanted to do and bridge the gap between different cultures was something that I always wanted to do.”

TIAB

Singer-songwriter TIAB (@tiab97s), short for “to infinity and beyond,” has been busy building an empire for himself spanning music, fashion, and pop culture. Celebrated at home and across Asia, he balances his time between music and creating wearables through his label 1997s. With nearly 5 million streams on Spotify for his breakout 2019 track “Why You So Beautiful,” he continues to deliver hits with his latest album, ADAM.​

“The name ‘to infinity and beyond’ reminds me to keep pushing and continue dream bigger.”

Kayan9896

Pop sensation Jeannie Ng Ka-yan (@kayan9896), also known by her stage name Kayan9896, is one of the most exciting stars to watch in Hong Kong. With a growing presence across music, film, and modelling, she continues to evolve as a creator.

“My songs are always a mixture of English and Cantonese. I think that actually represents me and also Hong Kong. That’s something I want to spread to the world.”

Subez Yeti

Stylish fits, badass ink, and killer DJ sets — these are the things that describe Subez Yeti a.k.a. Subi (@subez.yeti), one of the most influential DJs in Hong Kong. As part of music collective Yeti Out and founder of Thür and Mean Gurls Club, you’ll find Subez behind the deck at all the biggest parties across Hong Kong.

“I’m too young. I’m gonna do everything. I don’t regret anything. YOLO, right?”

Mei Sze Tsang

TMS.SITE founder, Mei Sze (@tms.site), grew up in a blue-collar family and saw workers suffer from uncomfortable and bulky workwear in the Summer. The brand was founded in 2021 to promote class consciousness and develop a substitute for the heavy and non-breathable clothing common in worksites. Many of her friends growing up were in the construction industry and through providing modernized and aesthetic tooling, Mei Sze wishes to give back to the community closest to her heart and revalue workers as “industrial athletes.”

“We hope to share the story of industrial athletes who work in heavy duty environments and reduce the gap between us. In terms of the mindset and the physical toughness, I see it as the same as sports athletes.”

Christian Stone

Christian Stone (@imongrindr) is making a splash with his subversive pieces that are refreshingly bold and playful, even appearing in the New York Fashion Week with futuristic designs and innovative textures. Inspired by the digital world and pop culture, he has dressed pop culture figures such as SZA, keshi, A$AP Rocky, and CL.

“I always wanted to create something new within clothing. To make something that nobody has seen before. That’s always been my goal in garment design.”

Esther Ng

Esther Ng (@_estherng) is the creator behind PRIX, a luxury fashion brand that has garnered attention online for distinguishing themselves among the online fashion scene with their sleek and effortlessly chic pieces, loved and worn by celebrities like Kylie Jenner, Hailey Bieber, and TWICE’s Momo. Esther is frequently seen sporting her own brand on her Instagram, her fashion sense and authenticity materialised in PRIX and its collections, such as the collaboration with the video game Tekken 3. 

“I just love the general pace of Hong Kong. Everyone recognises how precious time and efficiency is.”

Joey Lo

Joey Lo (@mrjlcc) is going back to the essentials with GROCERY, a Hong-Kong based clothing label that combines straightforward designs with artistically creative graphics. Their collaborations with names like Hello Kitty, artist Adam Lister, and even the Star Ferry and Donald Duck cement their brand as exceptional yet approachable.

“At the core of what we do is our community, and that just so happens to be made up of supportive friends.”

PONDER.ER

Founded by creative duo Alex Po and Derek Cheng, fashion label PONDER.ER (@ponder.er) continuously challenges social norms with its gender-fluid designs that refuse to be boxed into simple categories. The brand won the Yu Prize 2022 Grand Award and was recently shortlisted as a semi-finalist for the 2024 LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers.

“It’s about experimenting with different sides of yourself and not letting other people label you into something. Whether you’re a little bit feminine or masculine or you’re too aggressive or you’re too passive, you have to find your own way of expressing yourself in society.”

ThoughtWeFriends

ThoughtWeFriends (@thoughtwefriends) have taken over the internet with their avant-garde distressed denim looks, all created using recycled and secondhand materials. With names like Swae Lee and Coi Leray wearing the brand’s pieces, ThoughtWeFriends is constantly pushing itself to be ahead of the game and setting new trends on the street.

“We’re not where we want to be at yet, but I always feel that we are at where we need to be at.”

SLJ

Hong Kong-born founders Jovy Hon and Simpson Ma are shaking things up with their gender-neutral “nue-punk” jewellery brand SLJ (@sljlondon). Worn by the likes of Keshi, Rina Sawayama, and Rich Brian, SLJ is redefining handmade fine jewellery using recycled and eco-friendly materials while merging traditional techniques with 3D technologies.

“We are driven by artistry, craftsmanship, and a bit of rebellious spirit.”

OFFGOD:TATE

Bound by blood and a shared desire to create boundary-breaking art, brother-duo Andrew Mok and Tate Mok (@offgod.tate) are the future. Combining Offgod’s raw artistic talent and Tate’s expertise in design, sculpture, and space, the duo’s projects span from collaborations with adidas and large sculptural installations at ComplexCon to solo exhibitions in Shanghai and wearables recognised by Apple.

“With OFFGOD:TATE, we have full control over the direction of what we want to do and how we want to do it. To be able to show both our talents under one label is something we’re really happy about.”

Little Thunder

Ask any Hong Kong artist who their inspiration was, and you’ll hear one name repeated again and again: Little Thunder (@littlethunder). Her comics first hit the press when she was just a teen in 2001, and since then, she’s published numerous graphic novels, comics, and illustration books, building her reputation as one of the most recognisable artists in Hong Kong and inspiring a new generation of creatives.

“People usually see ‘comics’ and ‘art’ as separate categories, but I want to blend all the cultures I love into my artwork.”

Lousy

If you’ve spent any length of time exploring Hong Kong, chances are you’ve stumbled upon one of Lousy‘s works (@lousylousy). Whether it be a tag in an alleyway or a mural on Peel Street serving as a backdrop for tourists, Lousy’s KISSFACE and eye motifs are ubiquitous and purposefully in your face, covering every corner of the artist’s home city and well beyond. Beyond his street art, Lousy has launched exhibitions at M+, Landmark Belowground, and more.

“I try not to box myself in so I do all sorts of creative endeavours. If I like to paint, I can paint on anything and everything. I’ll keep doing that like an octopus, dipping my toes in different areas.”

Yeeki Lo

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Yeeki Lo (@yeekitattoo) is one of the most sought-after tattoo artists in Hong Kong with over a decade of experience. Founder of Yeeki Tattoo with her first overseas outpost coming soon to Taiwan,Yeeki is on a path of constant evolution, continuing to perfect her signature geometric line tattoos while experimenting with tribal and larger scale works.

“I always like to challenge myself with the hardest things because the easy things you can always go back to.”

nomkakaii

At just 21 years old, nomkakaii (@nomkakaii) has already established herself as one of the biggest rising artists in Hong Kong with her toast drawings. From illustration and dance to content creation and modelling, Kai is the girl who does it all in her sweet-but-edgy style.

“When I was a kid, I wished that there was someone who could have done really well in art in Hong Kong. That’s why I keep on pursuing it. I really want to be that person, at least for myself.”

Yuyu Kitamura

Yuyu Kitamura (@yuyukitt) proudly credits her Hong Kong upbringing and intercultural experiences for her acting chops on the screen. Having recently starred in Netflix’s “Dead Boy Detectives” as Niko Sasaki, this Hong Kong-born actress, producer, and director is showing everyone her versatility and charm one screen at a time.

“Who I am is this amalgamation of growing up here. Hong Kong is such a fast-paced and huge hustling city, and I carry that with me into whatever I do.”

Anisha Thai

Anisha Thai (@anishathai) is a Vietnamese-Comorian dancer, choreographer, and content creator who calls Hong Kong her home. After becoming the first Afro-Asian woman to win TVB’s “Dance For Life” competition in 2021, Anisha has been championing cultural diversity by teaching Afrodance in her own dance academy, The Mixies Academy, and sharing her life experiences with people.

“Living off my passion was something that I never thought would be possible a few years back. Now, I feel like I can flourish, be self-expressed, and be fulfilled every day with what I create.”

Austen Chu

If you’re into watches, then you’ve heard of Austen Chu (@horoloupe). As the man behind Horoloupe and the pre-owned watch retail platform Wristcheck, Austen’s been revolutionising the world of watches and collecting since 2017. With one of the most impressive collections of rare timepieces from brands like Audemars Piguet, Rolex, Patek Philippe and Jay-Z’s backing for his platform, Austen is inspiring a new generation of watch collectors with his transparent and honest content.

“We’re doing this because we want to build the watch world of tomorrow and create the future of watch collecting for the next generation.”

Jerry Haha

Jerry Haha (@jerryhaha) is an omnipresent force in Hong Kong’s art, fashion, and music scenes. As the creative producer and founder of studio ARTIFICIAL DUST, Jerry works with clients like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Adidas, and more to bring their ideas to life. Whether enjoying himself or throwing them, you’ll always find Jerry at the coolest events in town.

“When my friends win, I win!”

Lorenzo Antinori

No one would argue with Lorenzo Antinori’s (@lorenzoantinori) expertise in mixology — after all, his own Bar Leone is the top bar in Asia and #2 in the World’s 50 Best Bars 2024. Embodying the “Cocktail Popolari” (meaning “cocktails for the people”) motto, this seasoned hospitality veteran previously mixed drinks at Argo, Caprice Bar, and Charles H with Four Seasons Hotel before establishing Bar Leone in 2023.

“We never stand still. We’re always constantly thinking about how do we improve, how do we get better.”

Shun Sato

Shun Sato (@shuna3faith) is the founder of CENSU CREW, the restaurant group behind CENSU Hong Kong, Golden Gip, and CENSU Tokyo. Backed by formative training in French fine dining techniques, Sato’s trailblazing approach to cuisine breaks free from tradition, paving the way for a bold new era in the world of contemporary dining.

“My friends all helped me grow both personally and professionally. This is why I call my restaurant group CENSU CREW, a group that values the sense of community, connection, and growth.”

Syed Asim Hussain

Over the past decade, Black Sheep Restaurants founder Syed Asim Hussain (@blacksheepasim) built himself a food empire in one of the most competitive dining scenes in Asia. With more than 40 beloved concepts open across the city spanning different cultures and cuisines, Asim has established himself as one of Hong Kong’s leading figures in F&B.

“There’s something really powerful in seeing an idea come to life. It’s a really arduous, difficult, painful process. But we get so much meaning out of it that we continue to do this.”

Kenji Wong

As the founder of GrowthRing & Supply, Kenji Wong (@kenjiwong) blends different cultural influences to create timeless, authentic, and vintage-inspired pieces to add to your wardrobe. Despite his wealth of experience, Kenji remains steadfast in Hong Kong and is a strong proponent for supporting and nurturing high-quality local businesses.

“Everyone knows the ‘NY’ cap. Well, I want to do that with Kowloon.”

Brian Siswojo

Known in the city as JBS, Brian (@jbs8five2) is a jack of all trades and master of all. Crediting skateboarding as the root of his triumphs, Brian is the founder of globally-renowned skate shop 8five2, co-founder of premier men’s grooming destination Handsome Factory Barber Shop, member of hip-hop group 24 Herbs, a seasoned actor starring in blockbusters such as ‘Raging Fire’, and podcast host at 247 talk among other ventures.

“I want to put Hong Kong on the map and I always approach with that mentality”

Novel Fergus

Beginning to experiment with making music while working as a tattoo artist, Novel Fergus (@novelfergus) is now known for his Cantonese rap songs rich with literary poetry and history. Known as the city’s “Hip-Hop Poet,” he co-founded hip-hop collective Yack Studio with DaiShin in 2019 which evolved into a record label in 2022.

“How do you make the sound of hip-hop or the music industry as a whole better and how do you connect with the masses? I want to think deeper and keep doing better.”

ProdiG

ProdiG (@_prodig_) is a new-age hip-hop artist in Hong Kong. Exposed to the genre through artists such as NLE Choppa and NBA Youngboy while studying in Mississippi, he was inspired to bring that energy to Hong Kong. Making his debut in 2019, he dropped “Private Party” with rapper Lai Kei the same year garnering 2 million views on YouTube. Now five years into his career, ProdiG continues to experiment with new rhythms as he represents Hong Kong on the global stage.

“Keep going. Only when you keep creating can you get to where you need to be.” 

Dan Yeung

Dan Yeung (@danyeung) is the creative force behind DOP, Hong Kong’s hottest training club, together with co-founder Michael Wu. Merging his creative background as the founder of Kodax Creative with his experience as a personal trainer, Dan set DOP apart from other clubs with his eye for branding and discipline for training.

“It’s that human interaction and connection with the common goal of doing something better for themselves.”

Kurtis Leung

While running a production house helping artists and brands such as KAWS and Kid Cudi produce home goods and apparel, Kurtis (@tsun_kit) owns and operates streetwear brand Raw Emotions and is the co-founder of Fiber Productions, a vintage store concept currently making noise on Sai Street in Sheung Wan. Kurtis is also a big car collector and enthusiast who infuses elements of automotive culture into his projects.

“Dream about your job. Reality is a crutch for those unable to handle fantasy.”