Simu Liu says Abercrombie & Fitch was the first fashion brand he remembers caring about. Speaking with GQ before his first appearance at the CFDA Awards, the actor reflected on how his working-class upbringing shaped the time it took him to develop a personal style.
“When you grow up working class” and with parents whose shopping habits were far from luxurious, he said, learning about fashion takes time. Liu also discussed figuring out how to work with his naturally wavy hair, after initially envying the straight hair of others.
For the awards, Liu wore a look by Asian-Canadian designer Haoran Li of Private Policy. The black silk jacquard set featured a bamboo pattern, a cropped trucker-style jacket with hand-knotted Chinese buttons, a white shirt and wide-legged trousers. Li described bamboo as a symbol of integrity and resilience, qualities he associated with Liu.
Liu attended on behalf of White Rabbit Trust, which supports AAPI creatives and entrepreneurs. The organization hosted the CFDA Awards’ Emerging Designer Table, pairing industry leaders with AAPI designers creating custom looks. Liu has previously used major appearances to highlight independent AAPI designers, including wearing a Dzojchen silk kimono tuxedo to the 2021 premiere of Shang-Chi.
The actor also spoke about feeling pressure to represent the Asian diaspora after roles in Crazy Rich Asians and Shang-Chi. He said he did not regret taking on that responsibility, but recalled feeling that few others were doing so at the time.
Beyond acting, Liu said he is interested in becoming a director. He recently starred in and executive produced The Copenhagen Test, a spy thriller series that was cancelled after one season.
Sources: GQ.