16 July 2015
| Last updated on 20 July 2015
J Summer Fashion Show 2015: Designer Interviews
Sustainability, sophistication and fashion all in one place at the world's most innovative catwalk!
Jessica Minh Anh: "Celebrate solar technology and environmental preservation"
1. You’ve travelled to some wondrous places, if you could relocate to any one of them, where would you chose?
I moved from London to Paris in 2012 and have been in love with the city of light ever since. If I must move again, it would be New York.
2. How does it feel to be known as such an inspirational model who is able to advocate trends through design and business?
I feel honoured and happy that my vision and catwalks are appreciated worldwide. I am always grateful to have amazing partners and brands who join my shows and contribute to the grand success
3. Your upcoming J Summer Fashion show represents sustainability as well as providing an amazing setting to host such an iconic show, can you tell us more?
J Summer Fashion Show 2015 is part of my series of history-making catwalks at the most iconic venues in the world. Unlike my previous shows, which were held at symbolic touristic destinations, this show will not only present the most exquisite fashion collections but will also celebrate solar technology and environmental preservation. Gemasolar is one of the most beautiful venues I’ve ever seen, and we will ensure to capture it at its best by filming from various angles including from the top using the latest drone technology.
4. Which designers should we look forward to catching?
Summer Fashion Show 2015 will premiere 6 exclusive fashion and jewellery collections from Europe and Asia. I have selected 3 jewellery collections: Turkish brand EKRIA with their highly futuristic laser-cut pieces in gold and silver, Spanish designer Paloma Sanchez, who is based in China, and Danish brand Pandora. Pakistani designer Syeda Amera and Vietnamese designer Hoang Hai will return to my catwalk with their latest haute couture collection.
SEE ALSO: We caught up with Jessica Minh Anh ahead of her show on the Costa Atlantica in Dubai
Syeda Amera, who joined me in New York just 3 months ago, will continue her creative approach with sequined formations, golden embellishments, bold cuts, and abstract patterns. Vietnamese celebrity designer Hoang Hai will close the show with an alluring collection made from the finest materials decorated with lace, brocade, Italian tulle, and Swarovski crystals. I am looking forward to showing everyone his finale dress, which I believe is his best work yet.
Last but not least, I am adding a Spanish touch to the catwalk with the most vibrant, dramatic, and especially romantic flamenco collection from Pilar Vera. I admire her textile crafts, sewing techniques, and floral patterns which accentuate a woman’s body.
5. As a Fashion Show Producer what goes into this occupation and what tips can you share with those aspiring to work in the fashion industry?
The most important thing is to find out which area you would like to focus on and are good at. It is also crucial to constantly enhance your skills and keep yourself up to date with the latest technology and trends. Last but not least, creating a good relationship with people you work with always helps.
Syeda Amera: "I like experimenting with my collections"
1. Who or what is your inspiration for your latest collection?
My upcoming collection is designed keeping in mind that it is being showcased at the world’s first solar power catwalk in the eye stabbing beautiful country of Spain at the award-winning Gemasolar between thousands of mirrors and solarlit spotlights. The inspiration has derived from the place as there will be emphasizes on sequenced formations and exotically mirror embellished timeless pieces. The designs will range from modern, luxurious and fairly conservative to bold. Still classiness is the defining principle behind every single new design to be presented.
2. What qualities do you think are most important when purchasing clothing, jewellery, shoes…?
It should be trendy yet comfortable.
3. What trends from the past would you like to see return?
My favourite comeback is definitely the 1950's and 1960's femininity. This look includes an updated tool high-waisted poodle skirt with a modern flare and a graphic crop top creating that hourglass feminine figure a woman in one of these decades aspired for.
4. How does your work coincide with that of Jessica Minh Anh? In terms of values, design, or even vision?
As we are all aware of the originality of new ideas Jessica Minh Anh always comes up with every season with her fashion show concepts, I believe my vision and passion for my work is quite similar as I like experimenting with my collections keeping my signature style right there.
5. How has your personal life influenced your work?
My hobby of travelling and exploring different places has clearly influenced my work. This is one reason I received such appreciation and fame in the international market in a short time period.
You might also be interested in:
- Did you catch the J Spring Fashion Show 2014 in Singapore?
- J Winter Fashion Show on Costa Atlantica in Dubai
- Tony Ward's Designs at Fashion Shoot on Hudson River's Floating Runway
Esra Karadeniz: "I aim for precision and sophistication"
1. Who or what is your inspiration for your latest collection?
My inspiration for our SS 16 collection was the architectural elements and symbols of the Egyptian culture. I created unique symbols and forms of my own that were inspired by my research of the Egyptian artifacts.
2. What qualities do you think are most important when purchasing clothing, jewellery, shoes…?
I believe quality of material and production are the most important when purchasing any design product. I personally aim for precision and sophistication in Ekria designs.
3. What trends from the past would you like to see return?
I really would like to see minimalism return as a trend. I believe minimalism is the future of fashion and product design as it is the highest form of relationship between design, material and functionality.
4. How does your work coincide with that of Jessica Minh Anh? In terms of values, design, or even vision?
Jessica Minh Anh's vision for creating sophisticated catwalks in unexpected locations reflects her vision, courage and discipline. These are also qualities that we hold and work for in EKRIA. On top of this, as a futuristic brand, Jessica Minh Anh's choice of location for her ss16 catwalk is a dream location for us.
5. How has your personal life influenced your work?
I studied industrial design in Pratt Institute in New York where I learned about different materials, production methods and products. I try to implement this knowledge in each EKRIA product.
Paloma Sanchez: "I have learnt to admire the exquisite ancient Chinese culture"
1. Who or what is your inspiration for your latest collection?
In my latest collection I have integrated to my designs antique chines hair jewellery pieces, from the Qin Dynasty. Leaving in China for more than 9 years, I have learnt to admire the exquisite ancient Chinese culture. These antique hair pieces, dating from more than 300 years ago, can only be found now in museums or in private collections. Crafted with the tiny feathers of the kingfisher bird, whose colour is an amazing electric blue, this extremely complicated technique is called Tian Cui Art.
It amazes me to see the result of the perfect blending of ancient Chinese sophistication and European elegance.
This is the 1rst time a western jewellery designer creates a collection with Tian Cui Art jewellery. Feathers, diamonds, opals, turquoises, tanzanites, gold.... Amazing play of textures, colours and cultures, this is probably one the highest jewellery collections ever created.
2. What qualities do you think are most important when purchasing clothing, jewellery, shoes…?
Uniqueness, design, personality.
SEE ALSO: 5 simple tips to help you and your shoes
3. How does your work coincide with that of Jessica Minh Anh?
In terms of values, design, or even vision? I think Jessica and I have in common our passion for what it is unique, for what it is different. We both try to shake people's mind through beauty, quality and, what I think is the key word: PASSION.
4. How has your personal life influenced your work?
I come from a big Spanish family of 5 kids, I had a French education at the French school in Madrid, I went to the University in Los Angeles, CA, USA, I have lived in many countries, I travel to Africa, Asia and South America to search gemstones.... All this diversity, all the people I meet, and all the experiences I have gone through in my life have taught me to do things with passion. More than 20 years in the jewellery business have, of course, influenced my sense of design.
