Sisi Tang is our final MA Fashion Design Technology Womenswear Graduate Spotlight profile ahead of tonight’s MA Womenswear Catwalk show. Here Sisi tells LCF News about her final collection, her plans for the future and her advice for potential students. Be sure to tune in to tonight’s show which will be live streamed from the LCF Channel at 7.30pm GMT.
Image from MA Womenswear graduate Sisi Tang’s final collection. Photographer: Felix Cooper. Stylist: Jeannie Annan-Lewin
LCF News: Tell us about your final collection?
Sisi Tang: The theme of this collection is curve and volume – playing on concave and convex, and positive and negative. From the very beginning, I was inspired by the egg box that stored in my kitchen. I wondered how the box’s concave curve matched the egg’s convex curve. Observing the curves, I thought about the relationship between line, surface and structure, especially the relationship between female bodies and the surroundings. My collection presents a full image of the modern girl. Silhouettes are balloon and cocoon shaped and there is lots of volume, elongation and dropped shoulders. Colours are tonal navy shades with bright flashes of colour for balance and fabrics are traditional, wool, cashmere, felt and fur mixed with modern day synthetics and bonding fabrics.
LCF News: Where did you study prior to your MA at LCF?
ST: I learned textile and fashion design for my BA degree and fashion management for an MA degree at China Academy of Art. China Academy of Art is the most influential academy of fine arts with the most complete range of degree offerings and programs of study in China. I had been painting for 10 years but this was my first exposure to the fashion industry. I developed skills such as draping, pattern cutting, technical drawing and brand strategy planning, marketing, garments display, fashion show management.
LCF News: What is your future plans?
ST: I would like to continue my research and design a high end, contemporary womenswear collection which will include clothing and accessories under the name Sisitangstudio.
The plan is to launch the brand in the UK and China. I see the collection appealing to women who have a sensitive attitude to fashion, and love to try new things.
As a young fashion designer, I know things will be quite hard at the very beginning, so teamwork will be very important. 2 or 3 people will be invited to join my new design team, who will focus on graphic design, fashion design, or marketing. We will work as a small design group to make everything fabulous!
LCF News: How do you think the course will help you to realise these plans?
ST: With the help of the different kinds of events and activities held by the university, I got the knowledge of how to promoting my own brand and myself. Personally thinking, brand promotion is a very important part for a fashion company, the brand should gain public exposure. Moreover, during my course time, I have gathered a lot of industry connections, for example fabric companies, trimming companies, sample technicians, stylists and buyers etc. It runs like a small creative world, everyone will find the most suitable position.
LCF News: What advice would you give to anyone considering studying an MA at LCF?
ST: Firstly research the course and university and make sure it is right for you. Make sure you use the university networks to meet other UAL students – great for collaboration and friendship. Lastly and most importantly – prepare and work hard!
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