Kayo Horaguchi Brings a Blooming Lunar New Year to Plaza Hollywood

This Lunar New Year, Plaza Hollywood welcomes you to the world of imagination of Japanese designer Kayo Horaguchi. Known for her softly layered illustrations of girls, animals, and blooming plants, Horaguchi brings her warm visual language to Hong Kong through “Blossoms in Full Glory,” a festive collaboration that transforms her two-dimensional art into an immersive, walk-through experience.

Horaguchi’s artistic journey is unconventional. She has not formally studied fine art and describes her practice as largely self-taught. “When I was a student, I attended a fashion school where I specialised in fashion illustration, so I believe that experience has had a strong influence on my work,” she shared. That background is evident in her precise linework, careful compositions, and refined use of colour—qualities that translate seamlessly into the Lunar New Year installations, where floral motifs and animals appear as if lifted directly from the page.

For Horaguchi, art is closely tied to everyday life. “It is one of the tools that colours daily life with happiness,” she explained. Growing up in a family that loved decorating their home with paintings and visiting galleries, art never felt distant or intimidating. Even now, her visits to museums with her parents reinforce her belief that art is something to be shared across generations—an idea that resonates with a festive season centred on family and togetherness.

Her gentle yet expressive style has earned widespread recognition in Japan and beyond. Over the years, Horaguchi has collaborated with beloved characters such as Hello Kitty, My Melody, and Kuromi, as well as Pokémon, Kirby, and Shaun the Sheep. She has worked with brands including Dalloyau and Mister Donut, and partnered with public facilities such as zoos and aquariums. These projects showcase her ability to adapt her storytelling while retaining emotional warmth, earning accolades such as the Interior Lifestyle Young Designer Award.

This year is a milestone as she prepares for her first solo exhibition in Japan starting February 11. “I believe this opportunity will encourage me to engage even more deeply with my creative process,” she said, admitting she feels both excited and nervous about audience reactions. Through her solo exhibition and the Plaza Hollywood collaboration, she appreciates how large-scale creative projects are only possible through collective effort and shared passion.

At Plaza Hollywood, Horaguchi’s illustrations take on rare three-dimensional form. Her favourite installation is the hand-drawn horse sculpture created exclusively for the event. Designed to be viewed from every angle, it embodies playfulness and the Lunar New Year symbolism of good fortune and success. The 5-metre-tall Blossoms of Fortune Pavilion at the mall’s centre court, inspired by European garden pavilions, serves as a striking festive centerpiece.

Beyond the pavilion, you can explore multiple interactive zones. In the Flower Light Corridor, mirrors and pastel blooms create a dreamlike environment. The Happy Selfie Flower Mirror let you capture joyful moments with loved ones, while the Floral Photo Studio offers exclusive Lunar New Year frames and greetings to create personalized e-cards. At the Blooming Wishing Pool, you can design electronic flower tokens and toss them into the pool, sending heartfelt wishes for happiness, health, and prosperity.