Kevin Ma (Chinese: Ma Pak Wing 馬柏榮^[2]) is a Hong Kong-Canadian businessman who is best known for starting Hypebeast, a Hong Kong listed company that focuses on contemporary culture.^[3]

Early life

Kevin Ma was born in Hong Kong in 1982.^[4] He spent most of his youth in Vancouver, Canada^[5] and also attended university there.^[6][7]

Ma attended the University of British Columbia for his undergraduate studies.^[8][9][10] In 2005, he graduated with a B.A. degree in Economics and Psychology.^[11]

Career

In 2005, Ma started Hypebeast from his home in Vancouver, Canada as a sneaker blog on Blogger as part of his interest in street culture and streetwear.^[12][13] Ma got the inspiration for his website from people and communities around the world, and he would take this inspiration and spread them onto his website.^[6] At the time, he was a student majoring in economics and psychology,^[14] and also briefly worked in banking. The site quickly became popular among street culture enthusiasts.^[15]

As Hypebeast grew, Ma moved to Hong Kong and expanded it to include different aspects of street and contemporary culture, including fashion, art, music, design, and culture.^[16][17][18]

Ma published the first issue of Hypebeast Magazine in June 2012.^[6] Eventually, Hypebeast became a publicly listed company on the HKEX.^[19][20] Ma continues to lead Hypebeast Ltd. as of 2022.^[4]

Ma is known for popularizing the term hypebeast, which used to refer to a "sneakerhead" subculture associated with streetwear; however, according to Ma, "it can be anything nowadays."^[21] Over the years, the word has had increasingly positive connotations for people interested in contemporary clothing and culture.^[22]

Recognition

• BoF 500^[14]
• 2019–2022 panel judge at LVMH Awards^{[23][24][25][26]}

References