Meet Li Mo | Fashion designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Li Mo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Li, looking back, what do you think was the most difficult decision you’ve had to make?
The most difficult decision I ever had to make was the time I had to leave my former company to pursue my personal goals. It was hard to leave because the company and the co workers felt like family. I made the choice to leave to experience and learn the different aspects of the fashion industry. I didn’t want to settle.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
MO is a brand with contemporary style focusing on precise details, and a timeless perspective combines with eclectic used of materials. The color palette features a broad of monochromic, highlighted the sleek and incisive silhouette. The forms and functions blends with the minimalism aesthetic throughout the collection approached by the avant-garde atmosphere.

MO’s first collection Fall/Winter 24 titled “TOMORROW”. The collection combines with eight looks and 19 pieces, with woven and knit fabrics. The color palette is black and white, with silver 3D custom made silver trim and aluminum wire as details. The designer inspired by WABISABI styles blend with industrial construction concept a lot throughout the collection. The mixture of faux leather and wool, different dense of the fabrics shows the texture of the garment. The 3D trim was custom made by the designer, there is the logo “MO” at the center. It gives the heaviness to the design as a trim add on, and well balanced out the softness of the fabrics. Emphasis the impassive emotions and attitudes the designer want to release from the designs. Dark fabrics been used at most pieces, designer says: “people look at detail clearer fully when the environment is dark”. She wants to create a brand with the hidden or surprised designs the customer needs to pay attention on it.

Li Mo is a fashion designer from Shenzhen, China. She moved to the United States when she was 16. She been staying in multiple cities, like Seattle, Los Angeles and New York. She graduated from Fashion Institute of technology with fashion design major in 2020. After graduated, she moved to Los Angeles and continue to build up her career in fashion industry. She has been worked for multiple fashion brands, the LA based menswear brand RHUDE and womenswear brand Miaou. Li Mo’s works been published by multiple magazines, such as HARPER BAZAAR, L’OFFICIEL etc. Her work also featured with the celebrity Laverne Cox, and the article was published by BYRDIE.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am currently living in Los Angeles. I would bring my friend to local vintages stores to shop, because I am really in love with vintage cloth and staff so I think I can show them some interesting places and hidden gem. I would say the first day I will bring them to fairfax to shop and then can go to musuems. The next day I will go to the beach. If they stay longer, I would love to bring them to joshua tree, one of my favourite place to chill and hang out.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I appreciate for all the photographers, models and make up, hair stylist I have worked with. I always feel lucky that in the process of preparing to launch my brand MO, I have got many helps and support from them.

Instagram: @lixxmo

Other: @mo_laboratory

Image Credits
Fashion designer + stylist : LI MO
Photographer: PEIDI ZHANG , MEI KOBAYASHI, ZHENG MA
Model: NANCY LIANGHAN , SARA TAKENAKA, SUNDAY DAU
Make up artist: RUTH BLACK, SHOKO KODAMA
Hair stylist: TAKAYUKI UMEDA