New fashion channel brings two longtime Hong Kong influencers together, as Charles Lam and Evelyn Choi prepare to launch a styling and makeover series that blends candid conversation with wardrobe experiments.
Both former models, Charles Lam and Evelyn Choi built public profiles as content creators who love fashion and presentation. They said that while becoming a KOL, or influencer, looks easy from the outside, sustaining a career requires constant work and fast adaptation to shifting trends.
On Charles : Patchworked Printed Overshirt, Knitted Top, Cuffed Pants all from Louis Vuitton
How they met and why they click
ZTYLEZ: How did you meet and how would you describe each other?
Charles: I knew Evelyn from the modeling circuit, but we became close through our mutual friend Anjaylia (陳嘉寶). We started hanging out a lot after that. Before I really knew her, she seemed cool and wild at the same time. After getting to know her I realized she knows how to dial things in. I would say I am a zero or one hundred person, while she sits closer to the median, so together we form a complete circle, like yin and yang.
Evelyn: Anjaylia was Charles second year university classmate and she is my BFF, so a friend of a friend became my friend too. From social media and other people I thought Charles was steady and serious. Once we became friends I found out he is really funny and likes to liven up a room. We both love shopping, so we clicked right away.
On Charles : Navy Jacket, Silk Shirt, Denim Pants, Pocket Square all from Gucci
ZTYLEZ: If you could pick an animal to describe each other what would it be?
Evelyn: I would pick a leopard for Charles. Once a leopard locks on to a target it will do anything to catch it. Charles is like that, once he sets a goal he will think of every way to achieve it. He is decisive and action oriented. Recently he said he wanted to learn something new and soon told me he had already started taking classes.
Charles: I would pick a cat for Evelyn. She appears cool at first, but underneath she is gentler and timid. She is afraid of cockroaches, she just hearing the word makes her cover her ears.
On camera and behind the scenes
ZTYLEZ: As influencers who often attend fashion events what are some behind the scenes struggles?
Charles: Events feel beautiful and new every time, but you must stay alert. Left of you there could be a product reveal, right a photo booth, someone across the room may call your name. There is always something happening in every direction.
Evelyn: Beyond socializing you also have to find ways to stand out. If many celebrities and influencers attend the same event, you have to think about shots and angles that differ from everyone else. That takes strategy.
Charles: Styling has its hardships too. Sometimes you wear winter pieces in summer and summer pieces in winter. There is no single right answer when it comes to dressing, so you must keep experimenting and accept scrutiny from different people.
Evelyn: A show sample list might have been worn by 20 or 30 people already. You need to study how others styled a look so yours is not a copy. Also an Instagram shot can seem simple, but it often takes hours of work, multiple looks, and carrying a heavy bag of clothing between locations. After the hard work there is satisfaction in seeing an idea come to life.
New fashion channel concept and format
ZTYLEZ: You are launching a collaboration series. What motivated the idea?
Charles: Our manager noticed how much I like chatting off camera. My work had been more photo focused and I did not speak much. But when Evelyn and I discuss clothes we can go on for hours. The company was planning to produce shows so we pitched ideas, kept refining them, and won approval for this series.
Evelyn: Simply put the show is about chatting, swapping stories, and shopping. Each episode will feature a guest and we will help refresh their image based on the way people usually perceive them, so viewers get something surprising and new.
Charles: Because we have guests we do a lot of research. Some guests are unexpected, older industry veterans, or people with different body types. It is also a bit self indulgent since we get to buy clothes.
Evelyn: One special element is we will use items from our own wardrobes for five episodes. We realized our closets somehow contain pieces that fit five very different body types. Beyond fashion we will share personal stories and shopping tips.
On hosting style and future plans
ZTYLEZ: Who is the better talker and any funny moments?
Charles: Evelyn is the stronger speaker. I am fast paced and excited, so I sometimes speak too quickly or go off topic. Evelyn pulls me back and keeps conversations on track.
Evelyn: At times I become the observer, a near wallflower while he and a guest chat enthusiastically. Our hosting styles complement each other. When he goes off the rails I tap the brakes and steer the show back.
ZTYLEZ: Anything else planned this year beyond the show?
Evelyn: I want to continue fashion work and I have been cast in several acting projects that will appear on screen later this year.
Charles: I have taken acting classes and want to expand my range. I used to work as an advertising copywriter so I enjoy writing. I am drafting scripts and hope to produce something. I will also continue fashion collaborations and take part in larger projects and video productions.
On Charles : Denim Jacket from Loewe
Executive Producer : Angus Mok
Producer : Mimi Kong
Photographer : Karl Lam
Art Direction : Karl Lam and Yoanah Chan
Styling : Yoanah Chan
Videographer : Kason Tam and Alvin Kong
Video Editor : Kason Tam and Alvin Kong
Makeup : Evelyn Ho (Evelyn) and Shuen Kong (Charles))
Hair : Milk Chan at Xenter (Evelyn) and Sam Lo (Charles)
Wardrobe: Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Loewe, Chloé, Paul Smith, Charles and Keith
