PONDER.ER
PONDER.ER is a gender fluid fashion label founded in 2019 in Hong Kong by Central Saint Martins graduates Alex Po and Derek Cheng. It reinterprets the contemporary men's wardrobe as unisex clothing inspired by urban life.
| Founded | 2019 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Alex Po, Derek Cheng |
| Base | Hong Kong |
| Award | Yu Prize 2022 |
| Website | ponder-er.com |
What is PONDER.ER?
PONDER.ER is a Hong Kong based label created by Alex Po and Derek Cheng, who met while studying at Central Saint Martins in London. Po later completed a master's degree in knitwear at the Royal College of Art. The pair founded the label in 2019, about three years after graduating, and it won the Yu Prize in 2022.
Products and positioning
The label sets out to expand and reinterpret the contemporary men's wardrobe as unisex clothing, questioning traditional ideas of menswear and masculinity. Its designs draw on found objects, everyday city life and the founders' experiences of growing up in Hong Kong.
- Semi sheer knits, delicate shirting and cut outs
- Reworked trench coats, denim and poplin shirts
- Prints based on hand drawn Hong Kong motifs
- T-shirts, caps and accessories
The founders emphasise textile experimentation and a more considered approach to production, working with knit technicians in China and small workshops in Hong Kong.
Distribution
PONDER.ER debuted its Autumn/Winter 2020 collection at Paris Fashion Week and has been stocked by boutiques including Biffi in Italy, WUT in Tokyo and LABELHOOD in Shanghai.
Why it matters
PONDER.ER is part of a new generation of Hong Kong designers bringing a gender fluid perspective to menswear on international runways.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded PONDER.ER?
PONDER.ER was founded in 2019 by Alex Po and Derek Cheng, who met at Central Saint Martins.
Where is PONDER.ER from?
PONDER.ER is a gender fluid fashion label based in Hong Kong.