If you’ve read our recent story on singer-songwriter and all-round music enthusiast Alex Chung, then you might find a few parallels between him and his longtime friend and hostel-mate David Liu, who has worked with r é n as our Event Coordinator since last year.

When he was still just a child, David’s elderly father had passed away, leaving his immigrant mother with no right of abode in Hong Kong. She was ultimately forced to return to mainland China, but with hopes of giving David a better life, she chose to let him remain here in the city. The decision meant that he also had to move into hostels, which he’s now been living in for a decade – and that’s where he met Alex.

Like his friend, David has immense passion for the arts, especially within the field of fashion design and couture. “I’ve always loved artistic things, but my passion is in fashion design,” he tells me. “I follow all the international fashion weeks and runway shows, and I particularly like Dior and Chanel, although my true dream is to one day have my own fashion brand in Hong Kong.”

To pursue this dream, he’s now thinking of going to design school after he graduates from high school this coming month. “I’ve thought about studying design in a VTC institute,” David says, “but I also want to work part-time on the side to support myself. I’ve been working with r é n for seven or eight months and now it’s been a great experience. I’ve learned so much by helping as an Event Coordinator, and I manage the YES Programme kids at my hostel for Jo.

“She’s really helped me immensely, and I want to thank her for all the opportunities she’s given me. My perspective has widened ever since I joined r é n’s team, and I really hope I can take on even more responsibilities for them in the future.”