Cover Katerin Theys and William Lim (Photo: Zed Leets/ Tatler Hong Kong)
Katerin Theys and William Lim (Photo: Zed Leets/ Tatler Hong Kong)
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The limited-edition series, launching this month at Art Basel Hong Kong, features wearable art—silk drapes that can be donned as pieces of clothing or hung as wall art, complete with vibrant colours and stories that embody the spirit of their shared experiences
Katerin Theys and William Lim’s paths first crossed in 2014 when the former relocated from Belgium to Hong Kong and became part of CL3 Architects, the firm that the latter founded. As they worked together on a range of projects across Asia and the US, they formed a dynamic partnership, inspiring each other to integrate storytelling, cultural elements and exceptional craftsmanship into their architectural designs.
Congratulations on the collaboration. Why did you decide to collaborate—and why now?
Lim: We have worked together on architectural projects for more than ten years. We developed a good understanding of colour, details and crafts through design. I’ve been very excited to see Katerin’s fashion getting recognised internationally. We had discussed a fashion collaboration for a couple of years. I also extended my design from architecture when I created Limbonsai, a series of bathroom accessories. I’ve recently started to make ceramics and houseware, so for me, fashion was a natural extension. Hong Kong has always been a place where one can make ideas come true.
Night Safari blends art, architecture and fashion. How do they influence each other in this project?
Theys: The three are seemingly unrelated but are linked by a common process of starting with an inspiration and developing it from there. For all three disciplines, the perception [by others] and presentation [by the designers] are quite similar. We want our concept and intention to be understood. The details and how they align certain relationships in the cutting and tailoring are analytical in an architectural sense. The Night Safari series is about the human dimension, which is also the case in architecture. Like architecture, the details are very important to us too.
Above Katerin Theys and William Lim. Theys is dressed in one of the wearable art pieces from the limited-edition collection (Photo: Zed Leets/ Tatler Hong Kong)
Katerin Theys and William Lim. Theys is dressed in one of the wearable art pieces from the limited-edition collection (Photo: Zed Leets/ Tatler Hong Kong)
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How did the city inspire the collection’s silhouettes and storytelling?
Theys: The paintings on the Night Safari pieces are inspired by a mixture of savage nature, colour, mystery, architecture and the dangerous excitement of the unknown. The description fits Hong Kong very well. The animals in the paintings are inspired by vintage jewellery design. The composition is inspired by chinoiserie, with an east-west connection. By turning the paintings into wearables, we hope to convey the same feelings. The multiple ways to wear this collection convey the flexible spirit of Hong Kong.
Lim: My first experience of a night safari was in Singapore when my children were still very young—the same age as my grandchildren now. It was very exciting for the kids and also for the adults. The dark landscape and searching for the animals lurking has stuck with me, and that was what prompted me to paint Night Safari and the animals. I am also intrigued by vintage jewellery designers using dangerous predators like leopards or lions as symbols of elegance and mystique. I am concerned that the animal world is being jeopardised by the development of civilisation—hence the incorporation of architecture in the landscape.
This series incorporates paintings I have made over the last three years, some of which were shown in previous Art Basel Hong Kong shows; and now, they are taking on a new, wearable life. They are very colourful, very fluid and, I hope, cheerful—with a deeper meaning about life and the environment.
What were the challenges of merging your individual creative languages?
Theys: The biggest challenge was time, as we both have our architecture careers. William also had to prepare for an art exhibition and I myself had collection showcases. When we first showed the Night Safari series to friends, they were all very excited. Having worked closely with William for years, it was a very natural and smooth design process. I think our expertise merged effortlessly as we felt very comfortable with one another. This collaboration was even more personal than the architectural projects, thriving in an environment of mutual trust and shared expertise.
The Night Safari collaboration is something we always felt we needed to do— bringing our artistic languages together to tell a shared story
Above The duo are longtime collaborators (Photo: courtesy of Lim and Theys)
The duo are longtime collaborators (Photo: courtesy of Lim and Theys)
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How has working with William pushed the boundaries of your design aesthetic?
Theys: William’s influence encouraged me and made me curious to look beyond the surface and explore the profound stories behind each project’s location, history and culture. Especially with this collaboration, William’s vibrant use of colour and references to Asian culture have significantly pushed my design aesthetic further, making the creations even more expressive and lively. We wanted to tell an unexpected story by blending architectural minimalism with bold artistic expression, keeping the same strong, visual artistic power and impact of William’s artwork—and translating it into a wearable piece. [It is] poetical in terms of artwork and colours and architectural in terms of its draping. I believe the result brings both William’s and my own work alive in a different way.
How does Night Safari reflect your commitment to slow fashion and craftsmanship?
Theys: Besides being a part of a limited series, each silhouette of Night Safari is not only wearable but can also be displayed as an art piece on the wall. This blend of form and function, craftsmanship and limited production echo my commitment to sustainable and thoughtful design, similar to architectural principles. For me, this is what sustainability is about: creating timeless, one-size- fits-all pieces, which can be draped or knotted to create different silhouettes. They are meant to be worn and cherished and passed down through generations, much like the heirlooms from my grandmother that I treasure.
William Lim (Photo: Zed Leets/ Tatler Hong Kong)
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William, you are renowned for your large-scale art installations and architectural expertise. How did you translate your understanding of space, form and storytelling into fashion?
Lim: In architecture, we deal with the human proportion. In architecture school, I learnt about Swiss- French architect-designer Le Corbusier’s Modulor Man. I like to scale my design, whether it’s a large building, pieces of furniture or a tap. They are all about how my design interacts with humans, our bodies or our hands.
I am happy to be able to add a new dimension to my paintings: fluidity. We are careful to maintain each piece as the full artwork, so they can be hung as art too.
How does your approach to fashion design differ from traditional fashion designers?
Theys: I began making clothing for myself using interior-design fabrics and to my surprise, people on the streets of Europe and Hong Kong noticed and appreciated these pieces. Their interest led to the spontaneous birth of my label. Stepping into the fashion world rather naively and without formal fashion design training pushed my boundaries and made me learn in a very practical and intuitive way. I like to describe my work as creating architecture for the body. In both disciplines, I focus on storytelling, cultural nuances and craftsmanship. Craftsmanship, which bridges old and new, strongly influences my fashion designs, where I take elements from the past and translate them into contemporary and future expressions. Functionality is very important in my work. Each piece must fit well, make the wearer feel good and offer them the freedom to shape their own silhouette. Designing feels a bit like sculpting or making architectural models—I drape, play with volumes and shape garments, much like my projects in architectural and furniture design. Working across these disciplines has been both a privilege and a pleasure, as each strengthens my skills in the other. The Night Safari collaboration is something we always felt we needed to do—bringing our artistic languages together to tell a shared story.
Where is this going to be made available and when?
Lim: The Night Safari wearables will be launched during the exciting week of Art Basel later this month. The launch will be in a brand-new space that I am renovating now. Afterwards, the limited series will be available at Katerin’s showrooms in Central and in Belgium.
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Credits
Photography: Zed Leets/ Tatler Hong Kong
Photography Assistant: Carlos Hui/ Tatler Hong Kong
Location: Workshop Ten
As Content Director at Tatler Hong Kong, Tara shapes the brand's editorial vision across social, digital and print, and reports on Asia's most influential figures — from CEOs and leaders across business, style and the arts. In her dual role as Head of VIP, she also drives the planning and execution of Tatler's flagship IPs, curating star-studded events and building the relationships and communities that define the brand. Born and raised in the Middle East, she honed her craft in Dubai, crafting communication strategies for luxury brands across the Gulf. Follow her on Instagram @tarasobti.
