MONG HSUAN JIANG
The very humble and talented designer Mong Hsuan showcased his first collection at Fashion Diversity for London Fashion Week this year at the Islington Metal Works.
His collection was a cast of organza manipulated fabric, using string and netting for an unusual seize on the fabric.
It consisted of edgy, sharp, elegant and romantic classical themes portrayed through a black and white canvas.
Mong showcases a lot of draping, ruffles, cinching and puff ball dresses.
Embellishing his garments with precise cut mirror pieces and beaded jewels, Mong adds that extra divergence to his pieces.
A collection that Lady Gaga would have been seen running and screaming to the shop’s to buy.
At the tender age of seventeen, Mong Hsuan studied BA Literature in Taiwan and wanted to be a story writer “I was going to be a writer of stories although I didn’t read much” This was a far-cry from the accomplishments and goals he has set for himself today.
Arriving in London in 2003, Mong went along to a BA Fashion Exhibition in Central Saint Martins, from this point Mong knew his career path had to change. “It was really inspiring, even though they may not be so inspiring to me now, but it’s the impact that really made me want to do what I really want to do”.
Graduating in 2008, Mong fell in love with a boutique in Covent Garden called Kohsamui. Here he exclusively shelved all of his graduate pieces, but unfortunately the boutique closed down in August 2009.
Starting out as a new designer didn’t go without it difficulties, “It was difficult, needless to say in general for new designers to start out. But In my case it was extremely hard. I didn’t make a lot of money but I did sell a few big pieces. But in the end you learn and move on and get on with the next big thing”.
Mong also works with designers as a house embroidery designer and maker, which means a heavy work load everyday plus his own production. But Mong hardly complains as he see’s that he is blessed within his field, “I have to say I really enjoy the work, and I’ve realize I’m married to what I really like to do”.
A lil question and answer with Mong Hsuan
Mimi: What was the most challenging thing about starting your own clothing line?
Mong: How you manage the production in terms of selling. Design and sampling for show is easy but to really make the production to sell is really a challenge, especially when you do things intricate.
Mimi: What is your collection about?
Mong: It’s about you not being sure about your identity. Or not sure about what kind of feeling you have.
Mimi: As this is your first collection, do you feel you have reached your expectations
Mong: Hard for me to say now. But I am happy how my pieces progressed and really want to continue.
Mimi: You joked a lot about lady Gaga, have you used her as a source of inspiration for your work or do you just admire her?
Mong: I like women who like wearing absurd or crazy or unsettling styles. It encourages creativity.
Mimi: You have manipulated the organza fabric very well considering that this is a very difficult fabric to work with, how did find working with it. And why did you choose this fabric.
Mong: I have worked with organza for many years because of my main job as an in house embroiderer. So I kind of get used to it and understand its temper. I like different kind of materials and look forward to exploring other materials even though it’s easy to work with. And for this collection's them being ghostly I guess organza can say what I feel.
Mimi: Your first collection is very sharp with the black and white colour focus, what was your inspiration for this?
Mong: I appreciate the contrast of black and white and I like to put this contrast into a soft state so its like two ghosts communicating with each other.
Mimi: What are your current thoughts on your next collection... any colours??
Mong: Maybe still black and white but not sure...
Mimi: What can we expect from Mong in the future, will you branch out into men’s wear?
Mong: Yes I will certainly merge woman’s wear with menswear, and then Children’s wear, but I need some more backing to realize this though.
Mimi: You haven’t designed all your clothing for stick thin models and you passionately declared your happiness for healthy looking models, how do you feel about the whole weight issue with models?
Mong: I think the best designs are the ones that can help people feel good about themselves and to feel comfortable and show their personality in a positive way. I don’t think weight is an issue at all.
Mimi: Do you think of yourself as an on trend designer?
Mong: Maybe ...I really don’t know about this. I just want to follow my intuition and hate to be interrupted by what other people say.
Mimi: What’s the best tip you can give to a designer for their first show, as this was your first experience
Mong: Work hard and be nice.
Mimi: Out of the other designers which collection did you favour more?
Mong: Hard to say because each designer has one, two or three pieces I like, I really can’t tell.
Mimi: How was the whole Fashion Diversity experience for you?
Mong: It was fantastic and I enjoyed it.
Mimi: Where can people find you to buy your clothes?
Mong: Don’t know maybe in a couple of months then I will have a clue. Maybe will be on my online shop which hopefully will open in October.
Stay tuned for more updates on Mong Hsuan, whose collection will be available on line in October.
