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<figure class="wp-block-video"><video autoplay controls loop src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content.bak/uploads/2024/2403/2403_GMHK_Interview_Leniaperez.mp4"></video></figure>



<p>Lenia Pérez is one of the best-dressed women in the city, in part because she’s so willing to try everything. “I’ve prepared a total of 19 outfits for us to play around with, but I’m not sure if some of them still fit me,” laughs the Latin American fashion entrepreneur, rubbing her four-month baby bump with just a slight touch of embarrassment.</p>



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<p>It’s an unconventional pregnancy announcement – and a surprising moment of awkwardness for someone who photographs so well and telegraphs such confidence. Whether she’s going to the gym or the hottest parties, her style is obsessively chronicled.</p>



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<p>Embarrassment, though, is different from regret. “I’m never afraid to try anything,” affirms Pérez, who is thrilled to be expecting her second child with husband Ziad Korban. “I think that just goes to show that there’s a moving evolution in my style. It just keeps growing” – like her baby bump – “which is kind of how I want to be in all areas of life.”</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9734_p-819x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-80626" width="614" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9734_p-819x1024.jpg 819w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9734_p-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9734_p-768x960.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9734_p-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9734_p-1639x2048.jpg 1639w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9734_p-200x250.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9734_p-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9734_p-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 614px) 100vw, 614px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Black Flora Deep V Maxi Dress by Daniella Batlle Earrings by Vipop</em></figcaption></figure></div>


<p>It takes a certain sort of boldness and a certain level of shimmering magnitude to establish your own time zone, especially while being pregnant. Yet the co-founder and CEO of Vipop, a Hong Kong-based sustainable fashion brand, has done just that. It’s exactly 8:45 am on a typical Hong Kong gloomy Monday, yet Pérez is all set for a day of photoshoot and interview. Her ease and her vibrant full smile suggest this is all very normal and time really is just a construct.</p>



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<p>From the get-go, she also expresses her opinion on maternity wear: &#8220;I&#8217;m hoping that we are able to redefine what’s considered ‘decent’ for pregnant women. I am proud of my body for the amazing things it’s doing right now. Minus the morning sickness, I think I am at my happiest. Heels during pregnancy? Go for it. Who made such rules anyways?”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sustainable values</h3>



<p>As a self-confessed collector, Pérez travels to fashion shows across South and Central America in search of resort-wear designers to represent, pinpointing those whom she believes will appeal to Asian customers. What started as an internet business with co-founder and fellow Venezuelan Fabiana González, now occupies a cosy white shop called Artezano by Vipop and is reaching customers in the US and Europe.</p>



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<p>Her parents are artisans, so she has always liked fashion and handicrafts. Additionally, clothing created by Latin American designers, who historically use sustainable weaving and dyeing methods, felt appropriate for a market where ethical consciousness is growing in importance.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9302_p-819x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-80636" width="614" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9302_p-819x1024.jpg 819w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9302_p-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9302_p-768x960.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9302_p-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9302_p-1638x2048.jpg 1638w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9302_p-200x250.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9302_p-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9302_p-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 614px) 100vw, 614px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Red Percy Dress by Palma Canaria</em></figcaption></figure></div>


<p>“Vipop brings together a community of international designers making bags, jewellery and clothing in unique designs like the ones I’m wearing,” she says. “Our designers take care of the ethical or eco-friendly values behind the pieces and we also take care of the value of each piece. So it’s this community we’re building in the new fashion industry. We’re offering new ways to be sustainable. It’s not just ‘sustainable’; it can be very fun too.”</p>



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<p>Vipop builds partnerships based on sustainability practice. Designers and collaborators are chosen by the effort they put into one or more of the following clean fashion criteria: handmade, locally produced, carbon neutral, use of vegan or organic materials, low waste, longevity, recycled materials and fair wage.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Damage limitation</h3>



<p>“It’s very important to put attention to how the pieces we buy are actually made, who is making them and how it affects our environment, the community around us and the planet, because we can see so much damage in the world from the fashion industry. This is something very special for me and all the team, and this is why we selected this subject to build a fashion brand and e-commerce platform.”</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9589_p-819x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-80637" width="614" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9589_p-819x1024.jpg 819w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9589_p-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9589_p-768x960.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9589_p-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9589_p-1639x2048.jpg 1639w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9589_p-200x250.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9589_p-800x1000.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 614px) 100vw, 614px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Black Cher dress cut pleated skirt with top by Nabel Martins</em></figcaption></figure></div>


<p>This combination of focused strategy with faith in humanity and the occasional flight of fancy seems a winning formula, especially when matched by an unstinting gusto for whatever challenges her fashion career or an impending new addition to the family will throw at her.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Calming vibes</h3>



<p>Despite her hypermodern appearance, not to mention the permanent arts on her skin, her style is very traditional. As seen on her Instagram, whether it’s a friend’s wedding or a trip abroad, she creates distinct &#8216;vibes&#8217; (to use her favourite phrase) for each occasion. Indeed, her process is true fashion-icon behaviour.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9455_p_edit2b-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-80623" width="768" height="432" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9455_p_edit2b-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9455_p_edit2b-498x280.jpg 498w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9455_p_edit2b-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9455_p_edit2b-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9455_p_edit2b-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9455_p_edit2b-200x112.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9455_p_edit2b-800x450.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>“We&#8217;re still right on time. I cannot emphasise more the importance of working with the right people. It will really get the job done and produce output that you want to have,” she reflects as she changes for look no.9.</p>



<div class="wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="819" height="1024" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9433_p-819x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-80622 size-full" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9433_p-819x1024.jpg 819w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9433_p-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9433_p-768x960.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9433_p-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9433_p-1639x2048.jpg 1639w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9433_p-200x250.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9433_p-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9433_p-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
<p>Pérez seems unfazed by the fame in the fashion world she is currently experiencing. She is seemingly without ego: calm and reflective with a slightly starry professional glow that makes her the ability to inhabit someone else’s mind look easy. During and in between takes, she is compellingly unselfconscious.</p>
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<p>“But that’s the work of it,” she shares. “In reality, you have to be aware of what you’re feeling, what the team in the room is feeling. Once the camera clicks, you have this third level of awareness – your mark, the light and which way you should be facing. And it’s like you are constantly having to juggle those three things the whole time. She pauses and adds knowingly: &#8220;Pretty much like pregnancy huh?”</p>
</div><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="819" height="1024" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9507_p-819x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-80624 size-full" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9507_p-819x1024.jpg 819w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9507_p-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9507_p-768x960.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9507_p-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9507_p-1638x2048.jpg 1638w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9507_p-200x250.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9507_p-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9507_p-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px" /></figure></div>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Dressed to express</h3>



<p>Fashion for her is about the moments of pure enjoyment, of just letting go to the point that she can be surprised. It represents the most acute version of fun. “Which is why I love it so much. It’s my playground. I love it,” she admits giddily.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9786_p-819x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-80635" width="614" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9786_p-819x1024.jpg 819w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9786_p-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9786_p-768x960.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9786_p-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9786_p-1638x2048.jpg 1638w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9786_p-200x250.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9786_p-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9786_p-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 614px) 100vw, 614px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Emiliana pants and bared back top in paillette by Nabel Martins</em></figcaption></figure></div>


<p>“Clothes allow us to show off our unique personalities. Many of us care about how we seem in public, which is cool and just right. But some of us experience pressure to follow the newest trends in fashion,” she reminds, throwing in a note of caution.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Mother load</h3>



<p>One trend she is happy to embrace is her pregnancy. These days, the word ‘Mother’, without the preceding article, is present everywhere, as not just a regular word but a colloquial term and part of this generation&#8217;s slang; fans, brands and occasionally even mums themselves use it. It is also affectionately applied to prominent women who have a devoted following. And Pérez is surely mothering the fashion game.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9536_p-819x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-80625" width="614" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9536_p-819x1024.jpg 819w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9536_p-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9536_p-768x960.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9536_p-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9536_p-1639x2048.jpg 1639w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9536_p-200x250.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9536_p-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/H_MG_9536_p-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 614px) 100vw, 614px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Blue one sleeve cut out dress by Baobab Accessories by Vipop</em></figcaption></figure></div>


<p>“My body is going through so many changes again, but I ’ve grown to respect it so much that I look past the physical. I fully embrace it for serving a much deeper purpose, something far bigger than myself and anything I ever gave it credit for. I’m so grateful for, and amazed by, what my body is capable of,” she states, flashing a smile.</p>



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<p>At the end of our shoot, she swaps her stilettos for platformed boots, saying with a wink: “It’s time to be more comfortable.” Whatever tomorrow brings, Lenia Pérez will have the right attitude – and look – to take it on.</p>



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<p><em>Interview, Text &amp; Art Direction: Joseff Musa Photographer: Jack Law Videographer: Jack Fontanilla Venue: Qura Bar &#8211; Regent Hong Kong Brands: Daniella Batlle, Baobab, Nabel Martins and Vipop</em></p>


Fashion Conscience: Vipop founder Lenia Pérez radiates sustainability vibes while joyfully revealing her second pregnancy

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Fashion Conscience: Vipop founder Lenia Pérez radiates sustainability vibes while joyfully revealing her second pregnancy