Fashion’s New Optimism: Yang Du
A designer who indulges in surrealist collections featuring knitted pork chops and monster face jumpers.
Text by Robbie Spencer Text by Katie Shillingford | Published 12 November 2008
Yang Du, 30, Chinese, Womenswear/Menswear/Knitwear/Print – anything that would work for the concept.
Where did you study and why did you decide to study there?
Central Saint Martins. Like many others, John Galliano was my inspiration.
Which city do work in and for what reason?
London. There isn’t any other place like London; its fun, creative, and unpredictable!
What films/books/tv-programs/moments and stories inspire your design now?
The most challenging film I have ever seen is ‘Taxidermia’ by Gyorgy Palfi, I still couldn’t get over with some of the shocking images after a year.
In your own words describe your last collection.
It is fun, relaxing and sexy.
Describe the moment you realised you wanted to be a fashion designer?
It was like have a reason to be in life, but I wasn’t known I was taking such risk of a life time.
Who is your all time fashion idol?
Franco Moschino.
In a sentence how would you describe your work/style?
The surrealism arts and theories have huge influence on my work.
From the recent S/S 09 shows, which shows were your favourite collections, and why?
I liked the Viktor & Rolf show; they always bring something new on the table.
Which new designers do you respect and why?
Giles Deacon, Gareth Pugh, both designer show strong personal identities in their work.
If you could go back in time and experience any fashion moment, what would it be?
I would love to go back to Coco Chanel period, when girls were dressing like boys.
If you could get any model/ anyone to wear your clothes, who would it be – who is your muse and why?
It has to be Bjork, she has something really special. Dancing in the Dark was a master piece.
If you were to shoot your campaign and you could get your dream team of photographer, stylist, and model and do anything you wanted, who and what would it be?
I would love to have Steven Klein as my photographer and if I could dream to have Grace Jones and Lily Cole as my models that would be amazing. Would be wonderful to be able to go to Cairo again for the photo shoot.
Where do you see yourself/your label for A/W 09?
I hope to make my debut at the London Fashion Week in Feb 2009.
Where do you see yourself/ your label for A/W 29?
Hope would be able to showing my collection in Paris as well as London.
Tell us any anecdotes about the making of your last collection.
I was very much addicted to the Fat Coca.
If you weren’t a fashion designer what would you be?
Musician.
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