LEONARD WONG

Designer

Leonard Wong

Category

Art pieces, Women’s & Men’s / Clothing, Bags, Accessories and others

Brand information / About the designer

―What inspired you to become a fashion designer? Describe developments leading up to the brand launch.

Even as a child, I always had a keen interest in Japanese culture. When deciding to pursue my love for fashion, I chose to go to Japan’s prestigious fashion school, Bunka. The first years of rigorous hard work to simultaneously learn both japanese and fashion was eventually rewarding. In my school years, I  won numerous awards including the 2012 Tokyo New Fashion Designer Gran Prix. From that moment on, I was blessed with many business opportunities, thus opening the door to a network of the fashion industry. After graduating, I decided to jump into the deep end and start up my own company to pursue my dream.

―What is the brand’s concept? What do you want to communicate through fashion designing?

The EXPERIMENTAL LINE is based on assimilating the traditional and transfusing into the futuristic. The COLLECTION LINE is based on  catching that moment of metamorphous in the middle, and forming it into a piece that exudes strength and elegance for both men and women.

―What is your source of inspiration in creating fashion? What is your process of developing a design concept?

Inspiration can be found everywhere; past experiences, people, emotions, architecture, art etc… I have always been a bit of a geek for Japanese games and manga so I suppose that my designs are rather influenced by them. There isn’t really a process to speak of, it just comes out of the blue.

―Who are your current stockists (areas, retail formats, etc.)? Describe the typical followers of your brand.

We have pop up shops in distinguished stores in various cities, though our main stockists are select shops. After getting a very good feedback from Europe, we are currently working towards selling abroad.

About 2017 S/S collection

―Why have you chosen Amazon Fashion Week TOKYO 2017 S/S as the venue for presenting your collection?

Recently releasing a fashion film in collaboration with AyaBambi and with the amazing direction of Nick Knight, the video “ALCHEMY” has reached over 48000 hits on youtube.  Both Ayabambi and myself were keen to see the reactions of people without the screen in the way. This time, we want people to experience it in the flesh.

Future

―What are your brand’s future outlook and goal?

Our aim is to one day be an equal match to LVMH and Kering.  Asian Fashion is still behind abroad, so my dream goal is that one day, I help in someway to bring on a new era of Asian fashion to the west and stimulate the Asian economy. Another goal is to break into Hollywood with my designs. In addition, as a Chinese designer in the middle of public attention, Leonard Wong put its brand advertisement on the wall of NASDAQ building in Time Square NY. We are looking forward to be known as one of luxury brands in Asia from Japan to the World.
 

About TOKYO

―What does Tokyo represent for you?

Tokyo has everything, it’s very futuristic on the surface, but traditional in the core. The people are polite and civil, and things are very orderly. If you were to compare Shanghai to Tokyo, I’d say that Shanghai was Yang ( rather volatile and emotional ) whilst Tokyo is Yin ( cool and rational ). Tokyo is an ideal city to live in.

―Which parts / sites of Tokyo do you like most? Why?

Whilst a student, I lived in Tokyo Mejiro. Having many fabulous memories there, it’ll always reside in a special place in my heart.

―What are your favorite / recommended shops (of any genres, e.g. fashion stores, homeware stores, food services), facilities and sites?

Tokyo Shirogane Shiraton Hotel is one of my favourite places, I often go there to relax in the gardens.