SMFK = Instant Cool Meet the rising Chinese streetwear label

Take one look at the line-up of SMFK’s nonchalantly statement streetwear pieces — cue the likes of beanies emblazoned with the statement “too young too simple”, and tie-dye bucket hats adorned with ceramic stars — and you’ll see why the Chinese label has become much loved by both influencers and celebrities.

Launched by Sam Ren and Frank Liu, the brand has been quick to gain a following among both men and women, although creating genderless designs wasn’t initially in the duo’s plan. “We started out designing only menswear, but it turned out that we had more female customers, so it wasn’t so much a conscious decision as it was an organic evolution,” explains Ren.

As for their influences, the brand keeps it local, drawing on its home country as a key design inspiration. “I’m constantly looking to the qipao and Chinese clothing from the older generations of my family that I remember from when I was small,” Ren says. “They, as well as the structure and colour of China’s landscape, the natural attractions here that I’ve visited with my mother, along with Chinese culture, all play a role in influencing colour palettes and silhouettes.”

As for muses, Ren counts those that wear SMFK as their biggest inspiration. “Most of our designs are driven by our customers and their daily lives. Coming from a retail background, we’re good at observing and listening to what they want.” And want they do.