MODA Designer Profile: Vivian Li
Recently, I got the pleasure to sit down with first time designer Vivian Li to see what inspires her and what really is going into her work. Vivian is a first year at the college, majoring in a possibility of economics, psychology, or sociology. She spends her time divided between her studies and trying to make a better UChicago through UChicago student action.
What are some sources of inspiration for your collection?
In this collection, I wanted to take elements from formal wear and incorporate them with casual, everyday outfits — why can’t extravagance and conveniency coexist? Sheer fabric cutouts with embroidery, extravagant ruffles, and visual illusion are the elements I decided to work with. Some brands I’ve been influenced by are Zuhair Murad, Giambattista Valli, and Iris Van Herpen. I also come from a visual arts background, so I wanted to play with colors and textures instead of having printed patterns. I ended developing monochromatic palettes for each look, which was really fun to work on.
Have you ever done fashion design work before? What are some of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the process?
To be honest, I’ve never designed any clothes before, and I learned how to work from patterns just this winter break. The most challenging aspect is definitely picking the right fabric for my designs and the actual construction, which is so time-consuming and sometimes frustrating. I was sewing my first pair of pants, and I somehow attached the zipper wrong three times before figuring out the right way! However, all the mistakes make me feel proud about the finished products. The most rewarding aspect is to see ideas becoming reality through my own hands. Another rewarding aspect is fitting my designs on my models and seeing how good they look!
What are you looking forward to most about the show?
I’m looking forward see how my looks come together on the runway. Before even coming up with ideas, I was making a mood board for the makeup looks and hair styles I liked to see on my models. The show is where all the elements come together and the narrative gets presented in its entirely. I have really good relationships with my models, so I’m also excited for them to walk in front of hundreds of people and to feel like the most beautiful, confident versions of themselves.
Who do you have in mind when you’re designing?
I’m thinking about the fashion-forward, risk-loving girls who want to stand out from the crowd but still stay classy.
If you could give yourself any advice on the design process, what would you say to your younger self?
PUT MORE THOUGHT INTO THE FABRIC! I think the material is just as important as how the garment fits, and I wish I had visited more fabric stores so I had better options. There was this particular shade of mint green I needed for my dress, but I could only find that color in a rather thin and non-stretchy fabric. A few weeks later, I visited another store with more varieties and found the perfect match, but I had already made the dress.
What’s your favorite aspect of the design process?
Going to the fabric store. Looking at all the different colors and textures is super fun, and I sometimes come up with new ideas while shopping for fabric.
Photos courtesy of Yvonne Yu
