Rick Owens SS14

A salient point that needed to be made - 'These steppers were mostly black, not of the "ideal" body size that fashion puts on its runways, in its advertising, editorials and generally consider to be attractive and they looked vicious - they're not conventional "beauties". A plaintive statement of diversity, that is sorely lacking in fashion across all areas - media, models and designers.' Quote from Style Bubble. Indeed, I find the fierceness on steppers' faces is the inner face I put on when I face battle in life. Only when I was engaging in swimming or dancing competition that I allow myself to show the viciousness in appearance. This performance shaken my senses while I was simply looking for 'beautiful, interesting garments' that are happening in Paris fashion week. Body language is a mean to reinforces us, as well as clothing. We all have the right to go for it, we just need courage - even is to look different.

Internship at Leutton Postle SS 2014

- started from the end of July, and finished the week after London fashion week. This is by far, one of the most challenging work I have ever done! I am proud that I completed this mission I gave myself for this summer. Regardless of the miserable times I endeavoured, I learnt loads and made some good friends. Special thanks to Chiahui Liao, who generously lent me her flat that is much closer to the studio, and fed me some comfort food.

In 8 weeks, the whole team includes two designers (as well as the founders of the brand) and 5-8 interns made the whole SS14 collection. I was lucky enough to join the team at the stage of design development. The process is similar to what I have been doing at Uni- you start with a brief, mood board,  colour palette, and potential yarns. Sam and Jenny were encouraging in terms of allowing interns to propose samples. Therefore, after a week or two of sampling, one of my knitted samples were selected to be made into a jumper! The great thing about a small studio is that you get to see what's happening in every discipline, such as pattern cutting group, embroidery group, knitting group and some bits of administration work. Soon after design development stage, we went into production stage, when we finalise samples, cut out fabrics, garment construction and finishing. This is the longest and the most tiring process throughout, because there were so many details to be considered. The fact that Leutton Postle is still quite a new brand, there are many technical things that needed to be test out, and at times it is almost impossible to avoid mistakes. 

When it was closer and closer to LFW, both of my mental and physical endurance were reaching limit, but now that I look back, I have no regrets what so ever. However, as an intern, I understand that this is the kind of job we do, the experience we need. What's next then? What do we do once we graduate? When we cannot survive without income? How do we cope with the creative process that we love so much within the sick system in fashion industry? Nothing is solved, but something for sure- besides talent, think smart work smart, passion and hardship is what contribute to success.

Photos taken by liiah

Snap shot at film presentation and exhibition at Somerset House

 Photos taken by Adrien Chen

Photos taken by liiah

Internship for Apu Jan SS14

I first participated at an early stage of the spring summer 2014 collection, including creating mood board, fabric samples and some garment illustration. Most of the design did not go into the collection, perhaps it's due to the fact that I was putting most of my time and effort for Leutton Postle during summer holiday while Apu was in Taiwan making the collection. Besides, the samples I made are highly hand-crafted, there's (might be) a gap between my design and production. Or simply because Apu did not want to have those elements in the collection(!?) As a result, the next time when I was really engaged with the collection was when the collection was about to be shown! 

In fact, the show went really well, although the night before all the dressers were a bit tensed about getting our assigned model dressed in time for the second look. (There are total of 20 looks with 10 models) To compare this run way experience to the previous season, I think the pressure on the team was lessened, yet the performance seemed to be more professional- reflected by how details are considered. I guess it shows that as a company it is learning and emerging. Hopefully I get to participate another show for APU JAN. 

    

How's it going?

All taken by liiah

告白

文字一直是我的出發點
以前儘管意識到這件事
也因為無法用一針見血的方式表達我的感受
許多想法只像是陣陣漣漪在腦裡擴散 終於消散
幸運的 堅持的 就會轉化成作品的一部分
最近幾年生命累積了一些感悟
希望我能正視其中的美好及醜惡
忠實地紀錄下來
然後繼續透過生活 
看見自己 看見別人 
看見苦痛的樣子 
看見希望的難得
破壞之後
繼續呼吸 創造

晶 by liiah