Curtin graduate and Creative Director Ken Leung.
Director Ken Leung is the creative visionary behind Curtin University’s 2025 Alumni Video.
A Curtin graduate himself (Bachelor of Arts – Design and Multimedia), Ken started his career in fashion magazine publishing, before moving to New York where he worked on global campaigns for brands like Calvin Klein and DKNY.
He was most recently the Global Creative Director at UNIQLO, driving designer collaborations in New York.
With a budding film industry here in Perth, Ken said he was excited to be back home and was looking forward to working on projects that showcase our amazing State to the rest of the world.
Working in the fashion and film industry for the past twenty years, Ken has some valuable advice for anyone wanting to enter this exciting and highly rewarding industry.
1. Just go for it
Whatever aspect of film you’re looking at pursuing, whether that’s directing or even editing, I think there is always a demand for skilled people in the industry.
2. Make it happen
The fashion industry has this stigma of being a very closed-off community, but if you want something bad enough you can make it happen.
When I first decided to get into fashion, I literally went door-knocking on my favourite fashion brands’ doors, seeking a job.
Eventually, I was lucky enough to find someone who saw something in me.
3. People love Aussies
You also need to remember people genuinely like Australians, especially in New York.
We have a wonderful reputation of being hard working.
There are so many Australians working in places like New York and overseas.
Having travelled across the ocean and a long way from home, they come with a real hunger to succeed, and people love and respect that.
4. Take that chance
Don’t be afraid to fail.
If you don’t succeed, try again, and again.
When I landed in London, I didn’t know anyone, so I cold emailed all the magazines and fashion editors, and door-knocked until I got an interview.
5. When the opportunity comes, be prepared.
Make sure your portfolio is ready, and you have the passion to really back up what you’re selling.
I think talent is 50 per cent, and the other 50 per cent is resilience.
I’ve been knocked back a thousand times in my career, but the trick is to keep going.
If you truly believe in something and yourself, it will happen.
Read our full interview with Ken in Curtin Commons here.
Ken Leung, Global Creative Director at UNIQLO
Since graduating from Curtin with a Bachelor of Arts (Design and Multimedia, 1998), Ken has become a globally renowned seasoned creative leader with over 20 years’ experience creating the visual language for some of the world’s biggest companies, including UNIQLO, DKNY and Monocle Magazine. He has also worked with global cultural icons such as Roger Federer, Bella Hadid, and Tyler the Creator.
