A look from Wan Hung’s Autumn/Winter 2016 collection shown at London Collections: Men. (Courtesy Photo)
For the recently concluded London Collections: Men Autumn/Winter 2016 shows, Wan Hung Cheung returned for a second season to showcase his latest contemporary menswear collection. Originally from Hainan in China, Cheung moved to the UK to study at Central Saint Martins to pursue his career in fashion and gained experience working for Tom Ford, John Rocha, and Simone Rocha, to name a few. Before launching his self-titled Wan Hung label in 2014, Cheung was awarded the Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery the same year. In October last year, he was selected to be part of Lane Crawford’s Chinese designer showcase to mark its 165th anniversary. His talents are evident in his latest collection, weaving together opulence and elegance using cashmere, Italian wool, mohair, and pure cotton. Cheung is a designer on the rise and one to watch in 2016.
Jing Daily caught a moment with the designer during London Collections: Men to talk about the ideal man who would wear his collection and how the movies Interstellar and the Transformers series influenced his collection.
A look from Wan Hung’s Autumn/Winter 2016 collection shown at London Collections: Men. (Courtesy Photo)
This season, your garments have a futuristic aesthetic with some intricate detailing. What influences inspired you?
At Sadler’s Well, I saw a show that featured seven monks performing with boxes. I had this strong feeling telling me how I could use that information, considering sometimes living in a boxed society. Based on that, it led me on a journey where I stopped along the way after watching Interstellar and the Transformers series. You can see 3D cuttings and hand-woven cubes in this collection. This season, I wanted the collection to demonstrate the idea of breaking free from rules in life and to act as a shield to preserve the purity and irreverence found in childhood.
Why did you decide to leave China and study in the UK?
The UK has young talent and the British Fashion Council (BFC) are always supportive of emerging talent. The BFC have such a unique eye in catching that talent and I wanted the opportunity to be here so it was a perfect place for me to consider studying here.
A look from Wan Hung’s Autumn/Winter 2016 collection shown at London Collections: Men. (Courtesy Photo)
Do you think there is a difference in approach to fashion and style between China and the UK?
In the year 2016, we are all the same and so international. With the internet, social media, global promotion on web, and mobile sharing the same information, everyone can be on the same page so no one is left behind.
What is next for you on your journey?
Right now, this is my third collection. Initially, I was completely naive, not considering marketing, clients, buyers, press, and just thinking like a kid, developing whatever came to my mind. After a short time, I started to test the market, feedback from clients; I did some more research and based on that did brand refreshment. Now I’m finding a foothold in my own language in the industry, developing, playing a bit more but not giving everything at once.
Who would be your ideal man to wear your collection? Any celebrities?
(Gasps) This is so tough! Naturally someone that attracts the same ideals from my zone. I prefer to make meaningful relationships with my clients, so they organically become friends as we would have the same mindset and approach. If a person was to buy the collection it would mean more than just a working relationship as they would be part of the language we’re speaking. If I had to pick celebrities, it would have to be HURTS (British duo-musicians). I love their music, they are my favorite, favorite band.