Manda Yao, a designer from Kingston University, London, focuses on creating her own fashion style by amalgamating neutral tailoring with asymmetric detailing to create geometric silhouettes which are modern, urban, geometric and deconstructed. Manda Yao aims to make women independent and confident.
What inspired you to come to London and study fashion?
London, as one of the world’s most popular fashion capitals, is undoubtedly the best place for new designers to set up their business and make their name. There are a lot of markets, museums, exhibitions and galleries in London, which together create an amazing platform for me to find inspiration for my ideas. It is a free spirited city, allowing me to gain from an atmosphere of international creativity and modernisation. Here, I can find a wide range of innovative ideas. London is unique, not only accepting different cultures from all over the world, but also keeping its own traditional British national culture and characteristics. Last but not least, it provides a young, dynamic, designer-friendly environment which stimulates designers’ inspiration as well as develops their talent. I have never regretted choosing to study in London: it has given me more than I could have imagined.
No one can deny the fact that fashion is a special language for designers to understand each other and display an alternative world to other people. It is indisputable that different people have their own views and meaning of their life and the world. Fashion, for me, is a way to transmit my own stories and ideas to other people, who are then free to either incorporate them into their lives or forget them or ignore them. It is a special way for me to communicate with others. It is like my blood to support my whole body and energy.
Does studying in London bring anything to your design? What do you like about the city?
I believe London provides a better platform than other cities for new designers. For example, there are a lot of designers here. I have made some good friends here and we exchange information and discuss good ideas we have found. Secondly, there are a lot of famous exhibitions and activities held here, which is beneficial for me to gain some special ideas and get my inspiration. For example, I can go to a market to see vintage garments or take photos of graffiti. I can buy some traditional second-hand British garments and modify them to suit my ideas. I love the diversity of London, it always gives me a pleasant surprise. It also provides some excellent opportunities to enrich my experience. For example, while I was working for Christopher Raeburn, I learned how to run a studio and do brand promotion. London, for me, is like a book which tells me a new story in an old way, whether negative or positive…
What is unique or special about your final collection?
My final collection is inspired by the gap. This is inspired by my London experience, supplemented by ideas gained from my trip to Paris. I believe that there is a problem which exists all around us - rich or poor.
Are poor people poor because they have not worked hard or just because others suppose they are poor? In contrast, the rich are rich if they have a lot of money, but poor? Poor and rich, as antonyms, have their own characteristics and definitions, showing me two different worlds. I suppose they contain both negative as well as positive sides. It is a seemingly ordinary but undeniable fact. I want to reflect that.
So I took photos on the streets to get the inspiration to support my idea and add life to my story. I took inspiration from farmers, tramps, workers and some poor children. For example, some famers fold their coats on their waist, some workers put a towel on their neckline, some children carry big baskets and so on. I have combined them with tailoring elements to create new silhouettes which contain the element between rich and poor. In the collection, I use a lot of knitting and wool fabric mixed with different rope decoration. I have dyed some materials and designed my own embroidery in an abstract way. In addition, I focus on creating geometric shapes such as an oversize top with a slim waist, one garment but multiple dress styles, double collar coat and so on to show people the story I want to tell.
What is your plan after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to open my own studio and establish my own brand with a unique style that will inspire women to be independent and confident. I also intend to take part in competitions and exhibitions to make people aware of my brand. I know the things I like and I want to share them with others. I want to show how beautiful as well as ugly the world is. My great hope and desire is that more and more people can find resonance with me so that I can find my life value, where people can understand me and like my designs.
