Vivienne Tam

Designer of the week is Vivienne Tam. Born in China, eventually moved to Hong Kong, Tam discovered her love for fashion at an early age from watching her mother make clothes for the family. By the age of 8, she was making her own outfits and dressing her siblings. After receiving her degree at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Tam relocated to New York City and began working on her own brand. Her first inspired collection came from the Mao Zedong's rule which she titled MAO. This collection set the stage for her future collections along with her mother being her muse at times. Tam is best known for bridging east and west designs as well as pioneering global collaborations marrying fashion with technology. 

Tams effortlessly blends her cultural roots with a modern design vocabulary recognition for its artistry. Tam believes that the world is ruled by the yin-yang philosophy, so her collections often reflect this belief. Her brand has always been inspired by Chinese culture from merging the tradition and modern cultures as a type of art, creativity, and a reflection of years past. There were many times that Tam didn't have money to buy the fabric. She would print her own which eventually became part of her signature pieces. Tam is a prime example of someone working from the ground up. Tams first show didn't happen till 1993 because of how expensive they are. What she soon realized is that once she started doing shows, she saw her investment back plus more. 

Buyers would tell her, it was time to get her name out there. Her unique taste on fashion needed to be seen. Tam has also become a award winning author when she published China Chic. This book explored the ways in which Chinese style meets western style and described elements of the Chinese culture. Definitely a page turner for anyone looking for something new to read. Love the richness her collections bring. As the fashion industry likes to point out, her shows are also a must see. Pictures don't do the collection justice. Unlike other designers, Tam brings a lot of heart, history, and innovation to her pieces. There is a lot of strength as well as elegance to her collections that leaves us all wanting more. 

Rights go to:

Vivienne Tam

Vogue