The Raffles International showcase will present the highest level of emerging fashion designers to the international buyers of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia. We got the opportunity to sit down with two of the designers, Chad Nguyen and Leah Williams, to discuss their collections and anticipation in the lead up to the showcase.
Chad Nguyen is an upcoming international fashion designer with an attention to detail and true passion for the fashion industry. He has been involved in the fashion industry, designing clothes for magazines and runways, since the age of 14. His enthusiasm for the fashion industry has provided some amazing opportunities, and FIB cannot wait to see what he will be presenting at Fashion Week.
Nguyen’s debut collection draws inspiration from the women around him, explored through a 10 look, no concept, freedom collection. The emphasis on colour and style represents a feminine perspective of self-expression. His MBFWA collection features women’s designs in silk and satin, putting comfort as the upmost importance. Designed with travel and convenience in mind, Nguyen has created a cruise collection, focussed on “making a woman feel good in what she’s wearing, because I believe that is when she looks the best.”
Does your Vietnamese background influence your design style?
The Vietnamese fashion industry is growing fast, and women aren’t afraid to spend a little more money on quality Fall clothing. Vietnam fashion is inspired from the French, and my design incorporates a Parisian-meets-comfort, laid back style. Coming from Vietnam and living in Sydney, I try to target both countries.
What is the hardest thing about being a fashion designer?
You really need to have patience, and a real passion for the industry. I believe you really need to love what you do. If I wasn’t a designer, I don’t think I would be doing anything else.
Career highlight so far?
I have had the opportunity to share my collection all around Asia-Pacific. The F Magazine, May issue will feature a 12 page editorial of my collection, which is really exciting. My collection will also be in Vietnam Fashion week in November this year.
How do you use feel about social media, as a way to expand your brand?
I absolutely love social media. I love Facebook and grab every opportunity I can to get on Instagram. Social media is a great way to keep current, and further develop my advertising and branding.
How do you feel about showcasing your collection at Fashion Week?
Excited, Nervous, Confident
I really hope that people will appreciate the hard work that went into the collection. I never design for myself and try to create dreams for others. I put the opinion of a woman first, and satisfy their own design. The customer is always put in front of the design.
What’s next for you and your brand?
I hope that the showcase at Fashion Week grabs the attention of buyers. By the end of this year, I intend to open my first store in Vietnam and be producing 2 collections per year, catering for both Vietnam and Sydney.
With so much dedication and passion for the industry, we can’t to see what’s in store for Chaddie over the next few years.
Leah Williams grew up in Sydney’s Wahroonga, coming from a creative background. During 2015, her graduate collection was featured at the Powerhouse Museum, being the only student selected from her college. Leah had bought her first sewing machine in high school, and her career in the fashion industry began from there.
Leah’s clothes present a vintage vibe, through a reworked quirky and architectural vibe. With a peculiar habit of touching fabrics, Leah creates inspirational pieces of clothing, producing uncommon colour combinations and textural clothes designs.
What is the hardest thing about being a fashion designer?
You can’t survive without money, and you can’t please everybody. It’s hard to have that drive to overcome the commercial aspect of the fashion industry. There is a real need to be happy and to be proud of something that you made. It is impossible to make everybody happy, and it’s hard to break out of that ‘mould’ and design something different.
Tell me more about your collection.
I have used the main idea of light, and repurposed the geometric silhouette of the 60s and 70s. My design is very architectural and I have a real passion for art and culture.
Career highlight so far?
Selected through Raffles College, my collection was selected to be displayed at the Powerhouse Museum, being there for almost 9 months. The workshop was a really interesting combination of fashion and art, and was a great platform for emerging designers.
Also, being selected for the Beijing graduate Fashion Week last year.
How do you feel about social media?
Instagram is a great with to collaborate with designers and stylists. For my collection I was lucky enough to collaborate with Nikita Margarita from Doodad and Fandango, a jewellery collaboration.
What is next for you and your brand?
It is really great to hear a positive reaction, in the lead up to the showcase. For me, this is just the start. I had been asked to present my collection in Vancouver fashion week for the Spring/Summer collection, which is exciting. I hope to go into production and continue to create new looks.
With such promising careers and a desire to excel in the fashion industry, we cannot wait to see the collections, presented in the Raffles International Showcase at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.
