House of Slay

House of Slay
Formation2020–2021
HeadquartersNew York City
Key people
Prabal Gurung
Laura Kim
Tina Leung
Phillip Lim
Ezra J. William
Websitethehouseofslay.com

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

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

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

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

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]

The House of Slay superheroes' costumes were co-created by comic artist Kevin Wada, who also designed the cover art.[19]

Plot

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

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 on 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

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

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ a b Brown, Evan Nicole (March 21, 2023). "Stylist and Fashion Creator Tina Leung Signs With CAA (Exclusive)". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Carreon, Justine (May 21, 2021). "Meet the 'Slaysians'". Elle. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ Spellings, Sarah (November 8, 2022). "Prabal Gurung Prepared for the CFDA Awards With Boxing and Red Wine". Vogue. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ Chayanin, Paint (February 1, 2023). "10 Facts About Tina Leung From 'Bling Empire: New York'". Prestige. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  8. ^ a b Boyd-Griffith, Shelton (January 22, 2023). "The Abundance of Tina Leung". Lady Gunn. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ a b Hyland, Veronique (May 11, 2023). "How Phillip Lim Became an 'Accidental Activist'". Elle. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ a b c "House of Slay". tapas.io. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  15. ^ Arrant, Chris (January 18, 2023). "Mexican couture walks the runway in a new season of House of Slay". Popverse. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ a b c "House of Slay". House of Slay. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ 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.
  21. ^ Ilchi, Layla (May 2022). "House of Slay and the AAPI Victory Fund". WWD: Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved February 2, 2025 – via EBSCOhost.
  22. ^ a b "Brooklyn Nets x Thrive Collective x House of Slay Mural". NBA. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  23. ^ a b Laufik, Michele (June 6, 2022). "Diageo Hosts an AAPI-Inspired Night Market with Cool Cocktails". BizBash. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  24. ^ 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.
  25. ^ Spellings, Sarah (November 8, 2022). "Prabal Gurung Prepared for the CFDA Awards With Boxing and Red Wine". Vogue. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  26. ^ Brookins, Laurie (November 9, 2022). "CFDA Awards: Catherine Holstein, Emily Adams Bode and Kim Kardashian Among Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  27. ^ 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.
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