Scouting Chinese talent
November 18, 2011, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
SOZZANI is always scouting for talent in design, style and photography and helping young people showcase and develop their talents to build a new generation in fashion. One of her missions in Shanghai was scouting.
Last week designer Alexander Wang's mother, Ying Wang, hosted a luncheon event where Sozzani interacted with 14 Chinese designers of women's and men's fashion, shoes and accessories in a mini showroom at Les Suites Orient. They included Zhang Da, Yan Ming, Lina Ma, Qiu Hao, Vega Wang and Zhou Yuan.
Their styles range from sophisticated and minimal to punk. One by one, she viewed portfolios, selected works and "lookbooks" from past collections, discussed ideas and aspirations and gave advice. It was a golden networking opportunity.
"I was inspired," Sozzani said. "More impressive is the quality. These designers are young and creative but also possess great attention to quality. It's important not only to impress the press but also to think of consumers when making a long-lasting piece."
Sozzani directed a photo shoot of all the designers' representative products. Five hours later they were posted on the Vogue Italia website "to let the world know what's happening in China's fashion."
She planned to select two designers - taking one to the Milan Fashion Week in February (as she did last year) and giving another the chance to experiment with an ecological fabric Cantara, and then to produce and sell garments.
Sozzani said she likes the works of Alexander Wang, a Chinese American designer from Taiwan. "He found a style - sporty, classic, chic and fashion-forward. He also has a vision and everybody wants to have his bag. Creativity needs space and a willingness to take risks."
She blogs that young Chinese designers face a special problem, common surnames. "Lots of people's last name is Wang and this may affect logo identification. Vera Wang, Uma Wang, Alexander Wang; all three are well known in the West. And Wang was the surname three new designers I met."
Last week designer Alexander Wang's mother, Ying Wang, hosted a luncheon event where Sozzani interacted with 14 Chinese designers of women's and men's fashion, shoes and accessories in a mini showroom at Les Suites Orient. They included Zhang Da, Yan Ming, Lina Ma, Qiu Hao, Vega Wang and Zhou Yuan.
Their styles range from sophisticated and minimal to punk. One by one, she viewed portfolios, selected works and "lookbooks" from past collections, discussed ideas and aspirations and gave advice. It was a golden networking opportunity.
"I was inspired," Sozzani said. "More impressive is the quality. These designers are young and creative but also possess great attention to quality. It's important not only to impress the press but also to think of consumers when making a long-lasting piece."
Sozzani directed a photo shoot of all the designers' representative products. Five hours later they were posted on the Vogue Italia website "to let the world know what's happening in China's fashion."
She planned to select two designers - taking one to the Milan Fashion Week in February (as she did last year) and giving another the chance to experiment with an ecological fabric Cantara, and then to produce and sell garments.
Sozzani said she likes the works of Alexander Wang, a Chinese American designer from Taiwan. "He found a style - sporty, classic, chic and fashion-forward. He also has a vision and everybody wants to have his bag. Creativity needs space and a willingness to take risks."
She blogs that young Chinese designers face a special problem, common surnames. "Lots of people's last name is Wang and this may affect logo identification. Vera Wang, Uma Wang, Alexander Wang; all three are well known in the West. And Wang was the surname three new designers I met."
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