
"The idea is for women to feel confident and beautiful in the pieces, without feeling out of place."
What's your design philosophy?
I try to modernize the traditional Chinese dress (known as the qipao or cheongsam), so they are current and practical to wear daily in today's fast-paced society. The idea is for women to feel confident and beautiful in the pieces, without feeling "out of place".
Who are your design influences?
Maggie Cheung looked absolutely stunning in the movie "In the Mood for Love" which was set in the 1960's, an important period where women in Hong Kong wore qipaos daily. We often reference pieces she wore for inspiration.
How do you handle criticism of your designs?
Not going to lie, in the beginning it was difficult, but as you grow with the business, and as a person, you realize that feedback and criticisms are actually great for you as it gives you perspective in things you probably did not think about and allow you to implement changes for the better.
What's your favorite season to design for?
I love designing for the winter season as there are so many fun materials you can work. I love knitwear, wool, velvet, tweeds and feathers – so you will definitely see these within our collections.
What's your favorite fashion city?
I love all the fashion cities (Paris, London, New York, Shanghai) but I have to say I love Bangkok the most (Is it considered a fashion city?). They are so creative there - the brands are fun, the artisanal products are so intricate and beautiful, the spas are the best, and the food is so tasty!
How important is collaboration in fashion design?
Very! We recently started collaborating with other local fashion brands, illustrators, and product designers and created exciting merchandise. This helps bring newness to our clients and also helps expand market reach.