2012 Fashion Fringe winner Haizhen Wang closed fashion week with a truly bonkers but totally original collection tonight.
Here's four questions for the hot young designer:
What were your inspiartions for this collection
HZ: This collection is playing on a strong inspiration from architecture. As my previous collection also had architecture as a strong point of reference, this AW13/14 collection takes a different approach to the theme, collecting elements from an era of darker and more seductive aesthetics. This is introduced to garments, combining both boldness and versatility, bringing garments as tailored jackets that have been constructed with fastidious attention to detail. Leather trims are combined with Italian wool, with chunky hars herringbone wool and crocodile skin texture playing a contrast theme. What global trends are you excited by at the moment?HZ: I am not too concerned about trends, I am more looking around at what is going on around me and in society, what cultural influences are seen. Also technology and digital social medias are of great inspiration and fascination.
Which women living or dead inspire you aesthetically?HZ: I am a great admirer of Daphne Guiness, she is a woman with a great sense of style, she is always experimental, never predictable, glamorous, and avoiding the vulgar. Tilda Swinton is also a woman with a great inspirational personality and style.
How important was it to win the 2012 Fashion Fringe prize?
HZ: That meant a lot to me, giving me a real confidence in my design and that my label is on the right track. Also being awarded this by founder Colin McDowell and chair Christopher Bailey was a great recognition. Winning the Fashion Fringe has enabled me to further continue my label and to now present my new collection on-schedule at London Fashion Week.