Tessa Lont splits her time between Singapore, New Zealand and now Hong Kong, her new main base and it has inspired her latest Lontessa collection, Tūhura.
Garments made to be worn in a modern city environment with historical Hong Kong references about exploring.
“Tūhura means explore [in Māori] and the collection is about cultures colliding in an era where Hong Kong started to be a centre where east meets west,” Lont explains.
“I was inspired by the magical Chinese customs, opium pirates, silk and embroidered fabrics being traded around the world. I can only imagine the historical drama as I move to this incredible part of the world trying to set up a new life for myself.”
Lont (who is of Te Atiawa, Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tahu and Dutch descent) has been exploring new territories, cuisines, methods, ideas and also new partnerships. For this spectacular shoot shot especially for Word on Fashion she worked with photographer Karl Lam, stylist Bhisan, make-up Vanessa and hair Kristy Wailing.
Tessa Lont at Lai Chi Kok Park, Hong Kong. Photography Karl Lam, stylist Bhisan, make-up Vanessa and hair Kristy Wailing.
“I wanted to work with a new team and understand their local aesthetics and values, and these four places in Hong Kong are what they chose based on the collection and were proud to show me,” she says. “I think the team enjoyed taking me to places outside central. Normally when people first experience Hong Kong they don’t realise how much the locals love the beaches and the parks, and that hiking is a favourite past time.”
The collection has other layers, too. Tūhura is also her grandmother’s name on her mother’s side. And James Clavell’s novel Tai-Pan – about European and American traders who move into Hong Kong in 1842 following the end of the First Opium War – provided rich material for her creative soul.
“Scottish pirates, dandyism, different cultures colliding together and exploring new territory which is what I’m connecting at the moment,” says Lont.
For this shoot the team photographed Lont wearing some of her favourite pieces from the collection.
Designer Tessa Lont, Shek O Beach, Hong Kong Island. Photography Karl Lam, stylist Bhisan, make-up Vanessa and hair Kristy Wailing.
The photograph of this blue gown was taken at Shek O Beach which “has a cute fishing village vibe” located on a more remote part of Hong Kong Island. The print was taken from a photo of stones at her beach in Waitara, New Zealand which she had printed onto a stone woven silk fabric.
“We were lucky the weather was good as it had been raining all week. A lot of people will be heading out to swim now that we are going into summer,” she says.
The next spot was a drive to Lai Chi Kok Park on the mainland side of Hong Kong. “It’s peaceful with an traditional Chinese charm. Families were gathering for a walk around the park and I believe one of the oldest public housing estates is right next door,” says Lont.
Tessa Lont in Lai Chi Kok Park, Hong Kong. Photography Karl Lam, stylist Bhisan, make-up Vanessa and hair Kristy Wailing.
The Chinese garden was the team’s chosen location for two of her designs to emphasise the use of traditional Chinese fabrics.
The next spot was Nan Lian Garden, also on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong, in an area called Diamond Hill.
“The park was built around a nunnery. Not many Hong Kong city folk seem to know of its existence. It’s very much inspired by East Asian traditions. Everything from stone, to tree to temple construction is cared for with much intention and attention. Ban says he enjoys going there to meditate and feel inspired,” she says.
Here the navy blue garments with the stripe detail emphasise its “Korean Hongbok vibe” at an East Asian temple.
Tessa Lont in Nan Lian Garden, Hong Kong. Photography Karl Lam, stylist Bhisan, make-up Vanessa and hair Kristy Wailing.
Lastly they travelled to Cardinal Point to shoot Lont wearing garments with a more subtle pirate aesthetic such as frills and large buttons.
“Landmark in Central is the ultimate location for high end shopping such as Dior, Louis Vuitton, and my favourite store Schiaparelli in the Princes Building and Michelin Star restaurants like Otto e Mezza, Ami, Roubuchon and Cristal Room,” says Lont. “Central is home to two Mandarin Oriental hotels. It’s a perfect place to base yourself if you also want to explore the fun streets of Soho, Lan Kwai Fong.”
Tessa Lont at Cardinal Point, Hong Kong. Photography Karl Lam, stylist Bhisan, make-up Vanessa and hair Kristy Wailing.
Overall there are 30 looks in the Tūhura collection which Lont hopes to show in New Zealand later this year.
“Hong Kong is a walking city and everyones socially hanging out in the streets and it’s got a very cool street culture vibe. I wanted to bring these elements back into a modern context,” she says.
