{"id":9895,"date":"2012-07-17T16:08:10","date_gmt":"2012-07-17T16:08:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wonderlandmagazine.com\/?p=9895"},"modified":"2013-05-26T15:13:03","modified_gmt":"2013-05-26T15:13:03","slug":"steven-tai-rising-star","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wonderlandmagazine.com\/2012\/07\/17\/steven-tai-rising-star\/","title":{"rendered":"STEVEN TAI: Chlo\u00e9 star"},"content":{"rendered":"
Steven Tai may only have graduated last year, but he's already nabbed the inaugural Chlo\u00e9 design prize at this year's Hy\u00e8res festival. At Berlin Fashion Week, he impressed with his runway show of blonde and beautiful geeks. Wonderland<\/em> talks industry recognition and unusual inspirations with the Canadian designer.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n When did your interest in fashion begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n My parents both worked in manufacturing of cycling-wear so I grew up next to seamstresses, fabrics, and pattern cutters. However, maybe because it was around me all the time and I was just a boy around 6 or 7, I never realized how extraordinary the factory was. Instead I was playing with the wooden rolls that fabric used to wrap around and pretend they were swords with other boys from the factory. It was only when I was in university studying commerce that I realized how much I wanted to work in the creative industry. <\/p>\n You were born in Canada but came to Central Saint Martins – what were your impressions of London?<\/strong><\/p>\n I always felt like London was the cool place to visit. It was where sophisticated royalties meshed with safety-pin adorned punks. But when I moved here, I realized that before I see any punks or royalties, I had to survive in London first. The rhythm of London was definitely a lot faster than Vancouver, where I grew up. <\/p>\n <\/a> <\/a> <\/p>\n What did your first ever design sketch look like?<\/strong><\/p>\n Cringe! I have it stored somewhere but I dare not look.<\/p>\n Who would be your ideal client?<\/strong><\/p>\n Women who appreciate the craftsmanship behind their clothes. <\/p>\n Do you have any unusual influences or inspirations?<\/strong><\/p>\n I like going to the most unusual toys, hobby \/ craft stores for inspiration. B&Q, Hamley's, Forbidden Planet are all places that I frequent.<\/p>\n What are your design signatures?<\/strong><\/p>\n A focus on texture, clean shapes and a touch of sportswear inspiration. <\/p>\n <\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n You've gone from graduating from Central Saint Martins in 2011 to being the toast of Berlin Fashion Week – how does it feel to have such a sudden rise?<\/strong><\/p>\n It feels amazing. On one hand there is a great joy to feel so welcomed by the industry. On the other hand, I have to remember that I still need to find a way to support myself after all this. It\u2019s made me realize it is possible to do what I love as a career but at the same time it has also taught me that I have a lot to prepare for. <\/p>\n You won Chlo\u00e9 inaugural design prize – what does the award mean to you? <\/strong><\/p>\n It was my first time focusing completely on a brand and thinking about the Chlo\u00e9 woman as oppose to the unlimited creative freedom I was accustomed to. So it meant a lot to me that I won, because it not only indicated to myself but to the industry my adaptability. <\/p>\n