House of Slay
 First issue of House of Slay | |
| Formation | 2020–2021 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | New York City |
Key people | Prabal Gurung Laura Kim Tina Leung Phillip Lim Ezra J. William |
| Website | thehouseofslay |
The House of Slay is a collective fighting racial discrimination against Asians and advocating inclusivity.[1][2] It was founded during the COVID-19 pandemic by the Slaysians, a group of five Asian fashion industry insiders in New York, including Prabal Gurung, Laura Kim, Phillip Lim, Tina Leung, and Ezra J. William.[3][4][5] In 2021, the group launched the digital superhero comic House of Slay to promote inclusivity for underrepresented groups.[6][7][8] It has also worked with the Asian American Pacific Islander community by partnering with the AAPI Victory Fund to mobilize and support voters.[1]
In 2022, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) recognized the House of Slay with its Positive Social Influence Award.[9][2][8]
Background
[edit]Designers Prabal Gurung and Laura Kim first met in 2004, when they worked in the same building at Bill Blass and Oscar de la Renta, respectively.[3] However, the Slaysians did not coalesce as a group until 2018, when the film Crazy Rich Asians was released.[10][3][6] After seeing the film at a private screening, Gurung arranged to have the studio host another screening especially for Asians in the fashion industry.[3] According to Gurung, it was the first gathering of its kind in New York City, bringing together Asian fashion designers, creatives, stylists, and editors for a social cause.[3] He told Tatler Asia, "I was really touched by a movie that was about people who looked like us and felt like us and truly represented us—and right after, I realised that there was a serious lack of camaraderie among Asian designers."[4] Following the screening, he hosted a dinner, which snowballed into a series of gatherings centered around home cooking and nights out at Bubble_T, the queer Asian dance party.[3][11]
According to stylist Tina Leung, on one occasion, designer Phillip Lim invited her to pre-drinks before heading out.[4] When she arrived, bringing socialite Ezra William with her, Laura Kim and Prabal Gurung were already there.[4] The five of them bonded and started meeting regularly, calling themselves the "Slaysians", a moniker coined by music artist Slayrizz.[11][4]
Activism
[edit]The increase in anti-Asian hate crimes during the pandemic drew the Slaysians closer and inspired them to speak out.[6] Phillip Lim had started speaking out against harassment and scapegoating of Asians, making an appearance on CNN on March 10, 2020, days before a complete lockdown was announced in New York City.[12] Lim went on to help start the Stop Asian Hate AAPI Community Fund on GoFundMe and launched the #NYTougherThanEver initiative with Ruba Abu-Nimah.[12] The Slaysians spread #StopAsianHate in a coordinated campaign on social media and also participated in the Black Lives Matter protests together in New York City.[11]
Deciding to channel their energy and influence toward raising awareness for Asian cultures in a more positive light, the five friends established the House of Slay.[6] According to Lim, it was important to them to convey, "'we're not a trend, we're not a stereotype, we're not your model minority myth'".[6] From "tokenism" in campaigns to constantly being treated as a "trend", they realized their vulnerability to being "disappeared" in the industry, once they fell out of fashion.[3][6] Lim told Vogue, "One time we’re in, next time, it’s another community. It really shouldn’t be that way; we should all make up the community of fashion. So we thought we should build a house that invites all in—all communities."[6]
Comic book series
[edit]The digital comic House of Slay debuted on November 11, 2021, with 37 episodes published through April 25, 2023.[6][13][14] The comic is available on Tapas and Webtoon.[15] Created in collaboration with Einhorn's Epic Productions, its mission is to "take on racism, hatred, bullying, and fear of the 'other'".[16][17] The House of Slay describes itself as "a place for everyone – an inclusive space representing not only the AAPI heritage of its founders, but underrepresented voices from all walks of life".[18]
Main characters
[edit]The series features each of the Slaysians as a comic book superhero who is "dressed to slay".[13][6] Their respective alter egos are granted superpowers by a phoenix deity.[6][18] The characters' costumes are non-traditional in the superhero genre, and were designed to reflect their individual personalities and fashion affinities:[16]
- Prabal Gurung is a telepath who can control others' minds.[16][6] He wears black leather, jewelry from Nepal, and a cape that changes color.[11]
- Phillip Lim is bullet-proof and has the ability to form a protective shield, inspired by the canopy of a forest.[16][6] He wears a green-and-gold monastic robe, and dragon armor inspired by his tattoo in real life.[11][16]
- Laura Kim can teleport herself and others.[16][6] She wears a transluscent trench coat.[11]
- Tina Leung is telekinetic.[16] She wears a gold bodysuit, a cape made of chain mail, and gold high heels with diamond crystals.[11]
- Ezra J. Williams controls the weather.[16] He wears blue, inspired by Sailor Moon and Storm.[11]
The House of Slay superheroes' costumes were co-created by comic artist Kevin Wada, who also designed the cover art.[19]
Plot
[edit]Once they have acquired their powers, which are stronger when they work together, five friends from the New York fashion world are ready to fight Max Huxley, a villain who draws his power from everyday acts of hatred and discrimination.[16][13][14] The fashion superheroes vow to use their powers to spread love and hope for all humankind.[18]
New heroes and villains are introduced in Season 2, which challenges the superheroes with more complex situations.[20][14]
Other initiatives
[edit]In addition to launching the comic book, the House of Slay was involved in several other initiatives to support the Asian American Pacific Islander community, including a voter mobilization program with the AAPI Victory Fund.[1] The House of Slay created a merchandise collection, including t-shirts, sweaters, and bags, to benefit the fund.[21]
In 2022, the House of Slay partnered with the Brooklyn Nets NBA basketball team on several projects, including co-hosting the first-ever Brooklyn Nets AAPI Heritage Game and co-sponsoring a mural at John J. Pershing Intermediate School 220 in Sunset Park with the Thrive Collective.[1][22] The concept for the mural was "Be Your Own Superhero".[22]
To celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, the House of Slay hosted a pop-up market in the Lower East Side, at The Market Line at Essex Crossing, with sponsorship from Diageo.[23] The event featured food, fashion, music, and art created by artists and vendors from the Asian diaspora.[23]
Award
[edit]In November 2022, the Council of Fashion Designers of America awarded the House of Slay – Gurung, Kim, Leung, Lim, and William – the Positive Social Influence Award.[1][24]
At the CFDA Awards, Prabal Gurung wore a vintage three-piece suit by YSL with jewelry from Tasaki, where he is creative director.[25][26] Tina Leung wore a metallic gold dress with a winding snake, inspired by the gold bodysuit worn by her superhero alter ego.[27][19]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Ilchi, Layla (2022). "House of Slay to Receive CFDA's Positive Social Influence Award". WWD: Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved January 30, 2025 – via EBSCOhost.
- ^ a b Brown, Evan Nicole (March 21, 2023). "Stylist and Fashion Creator Tina Leung Signs With CAA (Exclusive)". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g Carreon, Justine (May 21, 2021). "Meet the 'Slaysians'". Elle. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "The Slaysians: 5 Asian Fashion Insiders in New York City on Challenges, Family and How They Bond Over Food". Tatler Asia. March 9, 2020. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
- ^ Spellings, Sarah (November 8, 2022). "Prabal Gurung Prepared for the CFDA Awards With Boxing and Red Wine". Vogue. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Phelps, Nicole (November 8, 2021). "Zap! Boom! Pow! The Fashionable Superheroes of the House of Slay Are Taking on Racism and Anti-Asian Hate". Vogue. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
- ^ Chayanin, Paint (February 1, 2023). "10 Facts About Tina Leung From 'Bling Empire: New York'". Prestige. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
- ^ a b Boyd-Griffith, Shelton (January 22, 2023). "The Abundance of Tina Leung". Lady Gunn. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
- ^ Wheeler, André-Naquian (November 9, 2022). "House of Slay's Tina Leung Became Her Superhero Alter Ego for the CFDA Awards". Vogue. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
- ^ Farah, Lynn (February 2, 2023). "How the 'Slaysians' became an inspiring pop culture movement: Tina Leung, Phillip Lim, Prabal Gurung, Laura Kim and Ezra J. William share a love for food, fashion – and Asian representation". South China Morning Post. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Krueger, Alyson (November 9, 2021). "The Superheroes From House of Slay Are Here to Stay". The New York Times. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ a b Hyland, Veronique (May 11, 2023). "How Phillip Lim Became an 'Accidental Activist'". Elle. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ a b c Allen, Brendan M. (November 11, 2021). "'House Of Slay' From Einhorn's Epic Productions Debuts On Tapas". Comicon. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
- ^ a b c "House of Slay". tapas.io. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
- ^ Arrant, Chris (January 18, 2023). "Mexican couture walks the runway in a new season of House of Slay". Popverse. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Schwartz, Alexis (January 14, 2022). "'House of Slay' Finds Their Power". L'Officiel. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ Hughes, C. J. (October 2, 2023). "Fashion designer known for anti-hate efforts lists co-op: Phillip Lim could double his investment in the full-floor two-bedroom unit in a landmark distric". Crain's New York Business. Retrieved February 2, 2025 – via EBSCOhost.
- ^ a b c "House of Slay". House of Slay. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
- ^ a b Kaplan, Rebecca (January 16, 2023). "Interview: House of Slay's Kevin Wada, Prabal Gurung, Phillip Lim, Amy Chu & Henry Barajas". Prism Comics. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ Schreur, Brandon (October 28, 2022). "EXCLUSIVE: New York Fashion Icons Team With Chu, Wada for House of Slay Season 2". CBR. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ Ilchi, Layla (May 2022). "House of Slay and the AAPI Victory Fund". WWD: Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved February 2, 2025 – via EBSCOhost.
- ^ a b "Brooklyn Nets x Thrive Collective x House of Slay Mural". NBA. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
- ^ a b Laufik, Michele (June 6, 2022). "Diageo Hosts an AAPI-Inspired Night Market with Cool Cocktails". BizBash. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ Lockwood, Lisa (November 9, 2022). "The CFDA Awards: Celebrities, Glamour, Glitz - and Let's Not Forget The Fashion Designers". WWD: Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved February 2, 2025 – via EBSCOhost.
- ^ Spellings, Sarah (November 8, 2022). "Prabal Gurung Prepared for the CFDA Awards With Boxing and Red Wine". Vogue. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ Brookins, Laurie (November 9, 2022). "CFDA Awards: Catherine Holstein, Emily Adams Bode and Kim Kardashian Among Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ Wheeler, André-Naquian (November 9, 2022). "House of Slay's Tina Leung Became Her Superhero Alter Ego for the CFDA Awards". Vogue. Retrieved February 5, 2025.