Speaker: Dr Hang Kei Ho
Visiting Professor, Department of Chinese Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Helsinki
Associate Professor of Sociology (Title of Docent), Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki
Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, Chinese University of Hong Kong
Time and Date: 13:15-14:30, Friday 16 February, 2024
Venue: Room 115, Language Center of the University of Helsinki
How can we make sense of the luxury fashion and drinks trends in East Asia? While the Hollywood romantic comedy Crazy Rich Asians (2018) offers a glimpse into the extravagant lifestyles of the super-rich in Singapore, much of the actual luxury consumption practices in East Asia remain hidden from the public eye. This talk aims to delve into the concept of luxury fashion and drinks in East Asia through three key aspects. Firstly, it examines the historical trade of luxury goods, which has often led to wars, conflicts, and cultural destruction, and how this has become unfashionable over time. Secondly, it explores how the production and consumption of fashionable items and fashionable (alcoholic) beverages, as well as drinking styles and preferences, have come to symbolise notions of civilisation, economic progress, and modernity. Lastly, we argue that the consumption of fashionable clothing as well as the adoption of fashionable drinking styles, are empowering because they allow for diverse cultural interpretations by different socioeconomic groups. In essence, this talk sheds light on how East Asia currently influences the global design and production of luxury beverages, fashion, and related industries.
Biography
Dr Hang Kei Ho is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Additionally, he holds the position of Visiting Professor of Chinese Studies in the Department of Cultures at the Faculty of Arts, and serves as an Associate Professor of Sociology (Title of Docent) at the Faculty of Social Sciences, both at the University of Helsinki. Throughout his career, he has held academic positions in Finland, Hong Kong SAR, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the UK, lecturing a wide range of subjects including Anthropology, Asian Studies, Business Management, Development Studies, Economic Geography, Social Medicine, Sociology, and Urban Studies. His research focuses on various topics such as luxury consumption and brand management, the globalisation of the wine industry, housing segregation and policy, inequality and the super-rich, and the flow of capital from Asia to global property markets. Dr Ho holds a PhD, an MBA, and three master’s degrees in diverse academic disciplines including electronic engineering, arts and humanities, geography, and luxury brand management. Before pursuing an academic career, Dr Ho worked in education outreach, IT and engineering, as well as real estate consultancy.