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Lilian Goh

Choose a style that suits your own character, says fashion designer

Young Post: How did you become a fashion designer?

Wan: I have liked drawing since I was a child.

After I scored an A in arts at the HKCEE, my teacher suggested that I study design at Hong Kong Polytechnic (now the  Hong Kong Polytechnic University).

I majored in  fashion

design and after I graduated,

I worked for several big companies as a fashion designer. But there were many restrictions,  so I started my own business after five years.

YP: Did you have any difficulties?

W: Yes, of course. In the beginning, I mainly designed  clothes for office ladies, but business was poor.

I used up all the money my mother gave me within a year. She sold one of our two flats to help me start my business.

I knew I had to change direction so I switched to designing clothes for younger people, which turned out to be a success.

In 1997, I launched my own label and the following year I staged my first fashion show.

YP: What do you want to express through your designs?

W: They are usually bright and colourful with cartoons because I want to bring happiness to my customers.

Also, I would like to make my designs more down-to- earth. Clothes should look good on models as well as ordinary girls who are not necessarily tall and slim.

There are three kinds of designers.

One kind wants to satisfy themselves, another kind is keen to satisfy others,  but the best kind of designers are those who can do both.

YP: What qualities should a fashion designer have?

W: Fashion trends change rapidly.

You have to keep improving to  lead the way. Reading international fashion magazines can help the creative process.

You have to  spend a lot of time and effort to be successful.

Be patient and don't expect to become famous overnight. It's a long-term effort.

YP: What are the prospects

of fashion designers in

Hong Kong?

W: Society is now more open to local designers and the market is very competitive.

But I think the customers are not mature yet. Many young people follow trends blindly without thinking about their personal characteristics. Their taste has yet to mature.

I am not encouraging a materialistic lifestyle, but I think people can put more thought into fashion.

Simple mixing-and-matching can be outstanding too.

YP: Have you ever designed for artists and singers?

W: Yes, for example, Cecilia Cheung Pak-chi, Cathy Tsui Tze-kay, Twins and 2R.

This helps to promote my label, but it takes up a lot

of time.

Name: Pacino Wan | Occupation: Fashion designer | Age: 30s



A bright outlook