Interviewed & Translated by Jennifer J. Lau

Today, Fête Chinoise had the opportunity to chat with Chinese Canadian fashion designer, Gigi Wang. We spoke to her about her experiences at New York Fashion Week and her collaborations with us. Wang is a featured fashion designer in our Signature Events and inside the pages of our annual Fête Chinoise Magazine. A graduate of Seneca College, she enjoys fusing textile techniques, materials, and symbols inherent in Chinese culture in her work.

今天，Fête Chinoise 有榮幸與加拿大華裔時裝設計師Gigi Wang做採訪。她剛從紐約時裝週回來，與我們分享她的經歷以及與我們文化平台的合作。 我們跟Gigi Wang在Fête Chinoise年度晚會與雜誌也有過合作。畢業於塞內卡學院（Seneca College）的她喜歡在自己的作品中融合中國文化固有的紡織技術，材料和文化精髓。

What was your first interaction with Fête Chinoise?

Wang: The first time I participated in the cultural platform, I received the invitation to display my work at the Fête Chinoise Signature Event 2019. This was the first time my art was exhibited in such a way and the first time it was noticed by those who shared the same passion as me for Chinese culture.  To me personally, this event is very meaningful. It was the first time I stepped foot into the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) — my first attempts to visit the gallery were in vain because I missed its opening hours. Never would I have imagined that I would be exhibiting my work at my inaugural visit.

王：第一次參加Fête Chinoise的活動是收到邀請將我的作品在安省藝術館（AGO）舉辦的Fête Chinoise慈善雞尾酒會上做展示。這是我的作品第一次以藝術的形式做展覽，也開始受到一些熱愛中國傳統文化人們的關注。那次活動對我非常有意義，因為那是我第一次走進AGO，在那之前我曾幾次錯過參觀的時間，但我從未想過第一次走進那裡是將作品在那裡做展示。

What was your most memorable interview at NYFW?

Wang: The most unforgettable interview happened after the show when a reporter asked me what brought me to New York Fashion Week. I told him it is because my country and my people are facing a hard time with the coronavirus back home that I stand. I hope I can stand tall on the stage to reflect an image of a strong Chinese girl. I want to tell everyone that behind me is a great country and that we will go through this difficult time together.

王：我最難忘的採訪是在我的show結束之後，有記者問我是什麼讓你走到了紐約時裝週的舞台上，我告訴他因為我的國家正在經歷著冠狀病毒的疫情，每一個人都在經歷著一個艱難的時刻。我希望我可以展現一個堅強的中國女孩的形象站在舞台上，告訴大家我的身後有一個強大的祖國。我們一定可以度過這次難關。為我們的祖國加油！

What DID YOU LEARN WHILE participating in this year's NYFW?

Wang: This opportunity to be at NYFW is significant to me because it allowed me to showcase Chinese culture to a wider audience. Because of the spread of the coronavirus, many Chinese fashion designers who were originally planning to join NYFW had to cancel their plans. But I am humbled and lucky to bring Chinese fashion to the stage. I used parent-child outfits to symbolize the passing on of traditional culture from one generation to the next. From the start, I believed that there must be a representative of Chinese culture at this event, even if it is during one of the most difficult times for us.

王：這次的紐約時裝週對我來說是一個非常好的機會可以向更多的人有時尚的形式展示中國的傳統民俗文化，以親子裝的方式將那些美好的傳統文化向下一代傳承。由於這次的冠狀病毒蔓延，一些原計劃參加紐約時裝週的中國設計師迫不得已取消了他們的行程。但我很幸運的最終將中國的時尚帶到了那個舞台上，我認為中國不會缺席任何一個舞台，即使是在我們最艱難的時候。

How did you choose the colours to your VIBRANT collection?

Wang: In terms of colours, I chose colours commonly found in ancient Chinese architcture and applied it to the textiles to create contrasts in a “Chinese way.” One of the colours I used is peacock blue — my maternal grandmother’s favourite colour. In her time, designs and colours of clothing was very uniform because of material scarcity. My grandfather had promised to buy her peacock blue clothing for her. But later, he passed away and it was an unfulfilled promise — this was a secret she had shared with me. Thus, this colour carries great meaning to me and I have always wanted to create a beautiful number with my grandmother’s favourite colour.

王：在顏色的選擇方面，我用了一些中國古代建築彩畫常用的顏色，將這些顏色與服裝面料結合，展現了一個“中國式”色彩碰撞的效果。其中孔雀藍色是我外婆最喜歡的顏色，在她年輕的時候服裝的樣式和顏色都很單一，物資也很匱乏。我的外公曾經承諾她會買一件孔雀藍色的衣服送給她，但後來外公卻因病去世了。這是外婆心裡一直以來無法填補的遺憾，也是她跟我分享過的秘密。從此這個顏色對我就有了很大的意義，我想用她最喜歡的顏色，做一件最美的衣服。

What is next for you as a fashion designer?

Wang: Next, I will work on my new line. I hope that my designs can be worn on those who enjoy them. In the next collection, I will use fashion as a method of storytelling to reimagine Chinese myths. I never perceive my work as creating a singular piece but as a transmission of my intentions and thoughts. I hope that when one wears my designs they can feel the warmth and also share these sentiments.

王：接下來我將把精力投入到產品的開發，我希望我的設計可以被喜歡它們的人穿在身上。下一個系列，我會結合中國傳統的民間傳說，做一個會“講故事”的系列。我從來不覺得我只是在做一件衣服，而是將我的情感融入在每一個設計之中，當它們被穿在身上時，我希望人們能夠感知到這樣的情感和溫度，並且把它傳遞出去。