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  • The Fighter Mentality Driving Anthony Kwok, CEO and Co-Founder at ZILIO, to Fix Fashion’s Most Overlooked Problem

Stories

January 6, 2026

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Anthony Kwok’s journey didn’t begin in a boardroom. It began in places that demanded discipline, resilience, and the ability to keep going when things got uncomfortable. First in the ring as a professional fighter, and later through a medical crisis that reshaped how he approached both life and leadership.

Those experiences now shape how Anthony runs ZILIO, a fashion tech company building AI-powered sizing solutions for brands and uniform providers. What looks like a startup on the surface is really the result of years spent learning how pressure exposes real problems, and how frustration often points to what needs fixing most.

At ZILIO, Anthony brings that mindset to one of fashion’s most overlooked challenges: the perfect fit. Not just as a sizing issue, but as a confidence issue that affects how people show up, move through their day, and feel in their own skin.

The Lessons That Carried Him Through

Before stepping into the tech world, Anthony spent his years as a professional fighter competing on FoxSports. Growing up Asian in a predominantly white environment, he felt he had to work twice as hard to be seen. This drive eventually led him to the ISKA Victorian Title. However, his toughest fight came outside the ring when he suffered two strokes the same year he founded ZILIO.

Walking away would have been understandable. Instead, Anthony leaned into the discipline he learned as a fighter. As he puts it, “Being a professional fighter taught me one non-negotiable principle: Never quit. No matter what. That philosophy carried me through recovery and continues to guide how I build today.”

Solving the “Booty Short” Problem

The idea for ZILIO was born from personal frustration. As an athlete with a specific build, Anthony found online shopping to be a constant gamble. He still remembers ordering gym shorts that arrived fitting like “booty shorts,” an experience that made him wonder why we can dress video game avatars perfectly but struggle to do the same in real life.

ZILIO solves this by replacing confusing size charts with accurate AI recommendations. The company started with corporate uniforms, where poor fit creates massive operational headaches for brands like Coles and Australian Unity. The impact was immediate. ZILIO has helped partners cut returns by 40% and significantly boosted customer engagement by giving them a fit they can trust.

Anthony Kwok (right), CEO and Co-Founder of ZILIO

Helping People Stop Second-Guessing Their Bodies

For Anthony, this mission is personal. He knows that standard size charts often fail people with diverse backgrounds and body types, including many in the Asian community. His goal is to make sizing “invisible” so that people can focus on their style instead of their anxiety.

“Fashion is deeply emotional, and a bad sizing experience can stop someone from exploring style altogether,” Anthony explains. “ZILIO exists to navigate that complexity and give people clarity and confidence, regardless of body type or background.”

With $500,000 in funding and awards like the B&T 30 Under 30, Anthony is proving that a kid with a big imagination can change a global industry. Whether it’s through his upcoming 3D virtual fitting rooms or his work with major brands like Rebel Sport, he is making sure that the next time you shop online, you’re buying a piece of clothing that actually fits your life.

Discover more about Anthony Kwok here:

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Learn more about ZILIO here:

📍Website📍Instagram

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