LOOKING AHEAD THIS
LUNAR NEW YEAR

Early on in the pandemic, when physical catwalk shows were halted and replaced by e-vites to livestreamed events, content creator duo AHALOLO – who were really missing the buzz and hubbub of fashion month – took matters into their own hands and found their niche in fashion video commentary on YouTube, Weibo and Bilibili. Their witty, to-camera conversations on the latest fashion collections, campaigns and micro-trends have gained quite the following – between them they have over 2.8m followers, who engage with the duo across multiple platforms. Dissecting everything from the importance of a great silhouette to the history behind the biggest luxury design houses, AHALOLO are democratising the in-depth fashion conversations usually held behind closed doors, opening up the circle for discussion and throwing in a few great memes for good measure.

Based in London, both Aha, a jewellery designer who graduated from Central Saint Martins, and Lolo, a fashion director, are celebrating Lunar New Year in the capital this February. Here, we speak to the duo on their hopes for the year ahead and how they’re refreshing their perspectives on their daily routines and style choices by investing in more ‘me-time’, celebrating togetherness as much as possible and re-wearing their most-loved clothing pieces for a more sustainable approach to style.

What’s a fashion item, accessory or trend you’ll be investing in in 2022?

Aha: The Gucci x Balenciaga Hourglass Bag. It’s a fashion item that I’ll cherish for many years to come, because it’s a special edition to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Gucci. Demna [Gvasalia] and Alessandro [Michele] are two of my favourite fashion designers of all time; their styles complement each other so well on this Hourglass bag.

Lolo: Low rise-pants. From Balmain to Miu Miu, Versace to Prada; I saw loads of low rise-pants looks on the runway shows. Let’s go back to Y2K in 2022!

How do you know a ‘forever piece’ when you see one?

Aha: A strong, recognisable silhouette is a must in a ‘forever piece’. You can hide all the logos, but you can’t hide a signature silhouette. For instance, whenever you see a Four Pocket Tweed Jacket, Chanel instantly comes to mind. Not to mention the Bar Jacket from Dior or the Le Smoking jacket from Saint Laurent.

Lolo: If it reminds me of an iconic fashion scene [from] the past, I would call it a ‘forever piece’ – Belle Vivier shoes from Roger Vivier, Chanel’s Chanel No.5 perfume and the Trunk case from Louis Vuitton.

What does sustainable style mean to you?

Aha: It means shopping wisely and investing in items that can be with you for a long period of time. [You can] occasionally indulge yourself with the seasonal trend but try to help items find a second life by donating or reselling to a vintage shop.

Lolo: Wearing and restyling your own clothes as much as you can instead of buying new items.

What is the perfect gift for a loved one this Lunar New Year?

Aha: Anything that evokes shared memories would be my choice. It could be a warm scarf for him which reminds him of the chilly winter you spent together, or it could be a jewellery box for her to put her wedding ring inside. Something personal, I would say.

Lolo: A [handmade] chunky knitted jumper. I always think knitting is the best option for people we love. We braid our love and best wishes into the garment, inch by inch, while we we’re making it. Whether it’s Aran or Fair Isle, they are so soft, warm and never go out of style in winter.

What will you be wearing to celebrate the new year?

Aha: I’ll definitely be wearing something bling! Dazzling earrings are a must to elevate a plain outfit and turn it into an evening look.

Lolo: I would like to add some shiny, sparkling power to my new year outfits – a sequin jacket or a crystal-embellished shirt.

What’s something that makes you feel good?

Aha: I’m really into home decor lately – it’s the relaxing scents from candles and perfumes for me. I’m stocking up on Jo Malone candles and By Killian perfumes to keep the mood positive.

Lolo: A hot bath, silk pyjamas, bergamot scents, cashmere jumpers, perfectly cut coats, penny loafers.

What do you do to unwind?

Aha: I love jumping into a hot bath to detox both my body and my mind. In my opinion, everyone should have some quality time to reflect and relax.

Lolo: I listen to my favourite Spotify song list and eat some cheesecake at home.

What are your self-care resolutions for 2022?

Aha: I aim to spend more time with books and movies rather than on my phone! Slow pleasures like a good movie, a good opera or a good book are all things that take time to appreciate and have become a luxury that our fast-paced life can’t afford on a daily basis. So, some time to absorb more knowledge would be on the top of my list for self-care next year.

Lolo: I’ve pre-booked a whole year of skincare treatments which aim to deep clean and hydrate my face. Fingers crossed it’ll make me glow in the coming year!

What’s a wellness treatment or therapy you’d like to try?

Aha: I do heart-to-heart conversation with close friends. I’m lucky to have supportive people around me to keep me afloat.

Lolo: I’d like to try cryotherapy. The whole treatment looks like a space cabin in a sci-fi film.

What, or who, inspires you creatively?

Aha: I get my creative inspiration from our followers – they are incredibly intelligent and always enlighten us with their opinions on shows, brands and designers.

Talking to them and exchanging ideas has become a daily routine in our work, and it has really helped us define the direction for our YouTube channel.

Lolo: Classic movies and old pictures, mostly. I always find inspiration from old photos of fashion icons off-duty.

What are you looking forward to most in 2022?

Aha: The comeback of physical fashion shows.

Lolo: I’m looking forward to the world going back to normal – travelling without any restrictions and gathering in the pub.