Eurasian Vogue
  • HOME PAGE
  • PRESS AND INTERVIEWS
  • Archive
  • LATEST STORIES
  • ABOUT
  • Lifestyle and Beauty
  • Features
  • MENSWEAR
  • Travels
  • HIT OR SKIP? FILM REVIEW
  • Category
  • New Page
  • Home PAGE
  • HARPER'S Features

"fASHION IS A LANGUAGE OF ITS OWN... LET'S TALK" EURASIAN VOGUE


HERITAGE REINVENTED - NIKE JORDAN BRAND FALL '17 REVIEW

6/9/2017

1 Comment

 
Picture
The Fall '17 Collection Preview in Los Angeles. 

​Set in an exclusive house in Beverly Hills, Jordan Brand opened its doors up to introduce their new Fall '17 line. With a drone-flying overhead to capture the palatial mansion and its stunning surrounding views, I meet David Creech, VP of design outside the black garage doors at the front of the mansion. As he clicks to roll the doors up, we enter the start of the presentation. At the center of the garage sits a Ferrari and surrounding that, the new Fall '17 collection. Creech explains that the entire collection is inspired by the heritage of the Jordan Brand with the influence of, "Michael Jordan's style both on and off the court" but with it they’re creating, "A new design language." 

    
Picture
Jordan FA '17 collection preview event in Los Angeles.
​


The collection is made up of black and white, with red detailing on the bottoms of the drawstring to give that pop of color, with a, "Nod to the heritage of the brand", as Creech says he was, “Obsessing over every detail." Whilst the black and white, "Creates a cool statement, it’s a coveted color. Visually we are creating something different.”

​They certainly are, seeing the pieces laid out next to each other, with white and black versions of the collection, with integrated white detailing on the black pieces, and vice versa on the white, and with the pops of red, we can see exactly where the Jordan Brand began, and exactly where it’s going. With it's futuristic lines, using new material, creating a new structure; whilst a
chieving their goal of creating a modern versatile take on athleisure wear. 
​
Picture
FA '17 Collection Preview in Los Angeles                             Jordan Flight Jacket and Joggers
​
The collection includes a jacket, inspired by the iconic Flight Suit that Michael Jordan wore back in the 80’s. Infusing the flight lines of the original piece, paying tribute to the history of the brand, whilst reinventing it by creating a new updated form for the future of the collection. (We've) "pulled the flight lines into modern styles that maintain the style and soul of the brand", Creech says, continuing, "It's all about the form, fit and function with this collection." 
Picture
Jordan Flight Suit

​The Fall '17 line has cleverly managed to incorporate the latest statement trend pieces, whilst still staying true to the brand. No more so than with the inclusion of the bomber jacket, once again using the wing lines, with a two-zipper detail that gives it a more stylized feel. Creech explains, “The jacket goes well with the joggers, it’s perfect for the gym to the street and is less loud with branding,” 
 
Picture
            Wings Bomber Jacket                                     Bomber Jacket with Wings Fleece Pullover + Pants

Even the classic hoodie has had a slight reinvention, creating flat lines, interweaving the wing lines, makes it relevant, modern and in keeping with the new collection. With an innovative style and modern fit, they’ve scripted a new design, clearly giving us a feel of where the Jordan Brand is headed next. 

Picture
Jordan Hoodie 

Some of the pieces even feel like beautiful art installations, with their new airbrushed jacket. With the image of Michael Jordan airbrushed on the back in red we see its heritage in both the color and graphic, seamlessly showing where the brand has come from, whilst Creech is pushing forward with a new style of design.
 
Picture
Picture
Jordan Brand Fall '17 collection  

The collection is versatile yet cohesive, all being as wearable for workout to after hours. Even their new 23 Tec long sleeved layered pullover uses material that’s both breathable and practical for the gym, but wouldn’t look out of place on the streets of LA, as Creech tells me, “We look to our consumer’s ecosystem, what music they’re listening to, how they style themselves, it gives us a more focused collection.”
​
Picture
23 Tec Pullover 

In addition to the Fall '17 collection, the Jordan Brand has been able to branch out to areas they wouldn’t normally be able to, but with their recent collaborations with artists such as (Brian Donnelly) Kaws and rapper Don C, as well as PSNY, they've created a whole new world of opportunity that they wouldn’t be able to achieve without the collaborations of the artists they are working with.

Creech concludes, “Jordan Brand stands for greatness, and it’s our job to ensure everything we do matches that standard.” Indeed, Creech has undoubtedly created an inspired Fall '17 collection. Perfectly structured in form, giving it a truly modern feel, whilst never forgetting where the brand began.
Picture
Stacy Fan with VP of Design, David Creech. 


Visit Nike online 

All Photos courtesy of Nike. 
1 Comment

FROM WAR INTO PEACE - THE INTERVIEW WITH KWAN YOUNG CHUNG

6/2/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Kanei Tei collection
​

In a time of such political unrest, where everyday on the news there seems to be another jaw dropping moment of, ‘What on earth is happening now?’ I’m not going to sugar coat it, it’s hard sometimes to write about fashion and share it on social media without feeling, (whilst everyone is tweeting about the latest bombshell) a tad / a lot (depending on the bombshell of the morning) superficial as I’m writing about a designers latest collection. 

Picture
Stacy Fan interviewing Kwan-Young Chung in his Seoul studio
​

However I have always felt that no matter the political climate, art is important. Whether it’s a movie that we go to see to learn a little more about a historical event, or a popcorn movie simply to escape. I’ve also always felt it’s ok to express yourself artistically, in fact, one might even argue it’s even more important than ever during the more trying times. As I said, I believe art is important, and therefore, I carry on writing, being inspired by artists and yes, admittedly, indulging in a slightly more creative and prettier world through the designers and artists I meet with and taking a moment of escapism from the chaos. 

Picture
Stacy Fan interviewing Kwan-Young Chung. 
​
Well, this is no truer than when I met with Korean based designer and founder of Kanei Tei, Kwan-Young Chung. We meet at his studio in the center of Seoul. He’s dressed casually in all black and has a real air of calmness about him; a young designer whose whole bag company is based around the idea of finding peace and promoting it to the world. Unrealistic? Perhaps, but I say, why not?  

It certainly feels refreshing in a time of such craziness to see a designer whose work is inspired by such a quest. As I enter the studio, Chung’s trademark bags surround me. Using the materials of wartime tents, that have been upcycled and sourced from the U.S, each with their own different stories, some dating back to the WWII era whilst others have been used in wartime preparations, Chung is trying to turn something that was once associated with brutality into something beautiful. 

Picture
Picture
Bags by Kwan-Young Chung 

​Each bag has a truly unique look and feel. Using irregular and yet disciplined surfaces of military tent fabric, Chung has introduced an extremely durable bag that possesses a natural look that cannot be imitated artificially. The foundation of Chung’s inspiration of such a unique collection stems from not only his drive to see a more peaceful and beautiful world, but his own international background.
 
Born in Japan but having grown up in Korea and received his bachelor’s business degree in the U.S from Illinois University, Chung tells me, “I really liked business but I actually always wanted to be a philosopher. I like to read books, so I also wanted to be a writer, and maybe a designer. When I went into design, I decided to not go to college for art as I felt I couldn’t learn much there.”
 
Picture
Stacy Fan with Kwan-Young Chung 
​
Chung’s decision certainly paid off, managing to smoothly merge his knowledge of business and love of the creative, Chung moved back to Korea and started a sock company, “I never had a real dream to become a designer before, but then I just started to make socks! I never actually leant how to make things or learnt design but I wanted to start a business, so I started a sock company.”
 ​
Picture
Clutch from Kanei Tei 

After dabbling with this, Chung soon transitioned to becoming a fully fledged designer, accepting a position to work with Colombo (owned by Samsung), “That company was becoming really big and Luisa Colombo (the founder) asked me if I wanted to work together, so that was how I started. She was my mum’s friend. It was then that I started designing bags for them.” After a time with Colombo, Chung teamed up with Faye Lee, creative director of 21 Dafaye and began designing his now infamous bags.  
 
Chung’s unique style quickly stood out and he and Lee soon hit a lucky break, with the president of one of the biggest boutiques in Korea visiting his shared office building whist she was on another meeting. Stumbling across Chung’s collection, Chung says, “She looked at our stuff, and really liked it and wanted to sell our collection. She did a launch party at her boutique. We were the only domestic brand to be sold in her store.”
 
It's not surprising to see why. Chung’s goal has always been a clear one, with a quote on his website that reads: 
Picture
I tell Chung how wonderful I think it is that he is turning something used during war into something artistic. Not only by up cycling material but clearly making a point whilst doing so. But where did the inspiration for using the wartime material specifically come from? Chung says, “I’ve always pursued a peaceful life, and I always think about what peace is. I like yoga, so I always wanted to include peace in my work. I saw the tent material used in war, and I knew I wanted to make it in to bags and turn it into something peaceful.” Chung is aware that he needs to expand his collection going forward, “I am not going to use only military tents. I am open to using any material as long as it contains a message of peace. I always want to contribute my life to a more peaceful world. Down the line, I would like to expand out to clothes, maybe in two years.” 
Picture
Stacy Fan with Kwan-Young Chung 
​​


Chung already has somewhat of a celebrity following in Korea, with several famous K-Pop stars wearing his bags. However, whilst other companies are putting the emphasis of their marketing on celebrity endorsements, Chung has the opposite reaction. “I don’t actually like the celebrity marketing that much, but I have some friends who are pop stars who like it.” Whilst others might indulge in this privileged position of having famous friends, Chung says, “I want to prove myself with my product and not by who is wearing it.”
 
Chung is certainly a true artist in the sense of not indulging in a celebrity following, and telling me he doesn’t even really consider whom his target market is when designing, “I never really think about that. People do say I should think about who they are, but I never do! I always think about what I like. I like to start by sketching. Case by case I get my inspiration for my designs, sometimes it will be looking at landmark views or sometimes it will be reading a book. Being in the U.S also inspired me. It’s always good to experience as much as possible; it’s all inspiration.” And with peace as the central point of his entire collection, you couldn't ask for a better source of inspiration.  

Visit KANEI TEI Online
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


0 Comments

    By
    STACY FAN 



      SUBSCRIBE TO EURASIAN VOGUE: 

    Subscribe to Newsletter
    Instagram

    EURASIAN VOGUE ON INSTAGRAM

    Picture

    EURASIAN VOGUE ON INSTAGRAM
    ​

    Archives

    February 2023
    August 2022
    February 2022
    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    July 2013

    RSS Feed


    SIGN UP FOR EURASIAN VOGUE'S NEWSLETTER

Subscribe to Newsletter