Suddenly, I Get It

I used to believe that when you're abroad, you better hang out with the locals. Because that's one of the reasons that you came this far for. Maybe this attitude can still be handy when you want to improve your language or experience local culture or whatever. But, after a certain point, the nostalgia kicks in. You started to miss home, then you began to compare the positive and negative things from both worlds, for instance, work environment, and living standard. Thus, it got you to wonder if 'we' can reach or compete with the 'world class' too? We (as in Taiwanese international students) are often more critical than people back home toward issue such as education, foreign policies... etc. Not that we are being arrogant (at times we might be ignorant) because we have spent an amount of time abroad, it's purely because we know we come from a small island, but we still want our culture to be respected- to have a voice on the global stage. To own an identity. Taiwan may never be a big country, but we can sure aim to be a great nation- with great heritage, great talents, great environment, great food and so on. So, for a humble citizen like me, most importantly is to keep on working hard and enjoy life while I am away, as that's what nourish me to contribute my share when I return.

In Transit, 2011

S/S INDIGO - Waste, and then?

Research/ drawings/ colour palette 

Fashion Moments

Finally, I'm officially teeny tiny part of fashion industry. After I return from Paris, I started to intern at APUJAN. When I joined the team, most of the designs and fabrics are made, so I was mostly working on finishings, model fitting, linking the garments, and working at the backstage as a dresser during the show.  This is also APUJAN's first season, therefore there are many expected and unexpected challenges. Such as finding the manufacture locally and abroad to produce knitting and digital prints; getting the right tailor to stitch up the fine silk dresses; model casting and trying out hair and make-up with other professional teams; styling and organising the flow of the show; producing the whole show from the set design to music.  There were some flaws during the show, but you learn by doing it. Even though I don't get to see the outcome, I am really impressed by the level of achievement, and I am proud of taking part of it. Later the week, I went to Somerset House to watch Shao Yen's film screening. It's another way of presenting your collection in a smaller budget, but it also reaches the standard of other professional fashion films I watched before. It's very difficult for foreign designers to survive in London. But seeing them being so brave and giving it all gave me the courage to stick to what I love doing.

London Fashion Week

APUJAN A/W 13

 Shao Yen Film Screening A/W 13

Home and Away

Back in London

I actually started in the beginning of January. But I was way occupied with finding a new flat, catching up INDIGO (the project Chelsea started in the previous term), and sorting out all other minor but important things. I didn't have the time to taste the feeling of leaving Paris and coming back to London. Reality fell like a waterfall on me. There were bitterness and happiness along the way, but overall, I made it-  moved into a new flat, handed in my final samples, started internship. Just in time for the Chinese Snake Year.