Profile | This designer is giving ‘made in China’ a new face: Ian Hylton creates contemporary luxury menswear dripping with Chinese references

Ian Hylton’s namesake luxury menswear line features looks softly tailored in cashmere, silk, jersey, wool, and Chinese silk – and ‘is actually made in China’

‘I’m a designer with a deep love of Chinese culture and associated aesthetics,’ says Hylton, who arrived in China in 2005 planning a year there – and never left

Reading Time:3 minutes

Looks from Ian Hylton’s spring/summer 24 collection. The luxury menswear line’s clothes are dripping with Chinese references, from material to cut – and they’re “actually made in China”, founder Hylton points out. Photo: Walter Chin

Published: 1:15pm, 11 Feb 2024

When Ian Hylton relocated to China in 2005, he imagined a quick in and out – the plan was to spend around a year there. He had moved from New York to the coastal city of Xiamen to head up luxury fashion label Ports 1961 as its menswear creative director. But life had other things in store.

Now, almost 20 years later, he is living life with his wife, the fashion designer behind luxury label Ms Min, and their son. Not only is he president of Ms Min, but Hylton’s namesake menswear line, founded in 2020, has been making a splash this fashion month.

Hylton is newly returned from Paris, the European fashion capital, when the Post catches up with him.

“Paris never looked more beautiful as it’s getting ready for the Olympics,” he says. Last month, he also travelled to show his wares at Pitti Immagine Uomo in Florence and is now in Shanghai for Pre-Fall.

Ian Hylton relocated to China in 2005. Photo: Ian Hylton

With 30 years of experience, Hylton is well used to the fashion cycle. But the pride he feels for this new proposition is palpable.