"NO ASIANS PLZ"
exhibited at Palais de Tokyo (Paris) / Kensington Palace (London) / Royal College of Art (London) / Fortezza da Basso (Florence)

"No Asian Plz" is a provocative and deeply personal collection inspired by the discriminatory phrase often seen on the gay dating app Grindr, "No Asians Please." This collection subverts that narrative, reclaiming and celebrating Asian queer identity through fashion. It tells the story of a Hong-Kongese disillusioned by the fetishisation of Western aesthetics, who embarks on a journey to change his race. Ultimately, he discovers pride in their Asian heritage, drawing inspiration from the old Hong Kong working men - proud, soft-spoken gentlemen who embodied a blend of romance and soft masculinity.

Influenced by the Japanese concept of Wabi-Sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection and impermanence, the collection embraces the unfinished and the unique. Through handcraft techniques like hand-knitting, devoré, and patchworking, Key intentionally creates textiles that are imperfect, each piece telling a distinct, emotional story. The irregularities in the fabrics are not flaws but celebrations of the human touch, reflecting the emotional journey of both wearer and creator. The oversized, minimalistic cuts draw inspiration from traditional Asian garments like the kimono, challenging conventional Western tailoring by allowing the garments to adapt to the wearer’s body. This approach offers a new kind of freedom—both physical and spiritual—while honoring the raw, authentic beauty of Asian identity. Through this collection, Key reclaims and reinterprets Asian identity, creating garments that are kinetic sculptures, breathing life into a narrative of pride, resilience, and cultural fusion.



Fashion & Textiles: Ka Wa Key Chow

Photography: Rainer Torrado
Models: Danil, Liren Shih and Yannick Konan