With Fashion Week in tow and designers showcasing their styles across the major catwalks, I snuck in some time to catch up with creative Taiwanese designer Johan Ku. Going from a graphic designer to a fashion designer has been a hit for Johan and with such aspirations such as Chanel, it’s no wonder his collection has struck “GOLD”.
Sunny Andrea: Growing up in Taiwan what was it like and where did your aspirations to become a fashion designer come from.
After I read Coco Chanel ‘s bio and decided to stay in the Fashion Design BA Course instead of transferring back to Graphic Design Course. So thanks her theatrical life and avant-garde design(at least in 20’s point of view) I decided to be a fashion designer.
Sunny Andrea: I understand your gold label debuted in 2011 at the Tokyo fashion week and since then your collections are being featured in high-end magazines such as Vogue- what’s the whole experience been like for you?
I have to say it’s a learning experience. Lean more things more than just designing but also how to be an entrepreneur in creative business. It’s an endless learning to me and I am not going to stop right now.
Sunny Andrea: Tell me what has been your best MOST memorable moment in fashion so far.
The moment my PR in Japan told me our catwalk image is the cover story of WWD US. I cannot stop screaming and say “YES!!!!! WE MADE IT!!!!!!!!!”.
Sunny Andrea: I absolutely love your collection of prints and the elegant style of you’re ready to wear clothing. Tell me, is this something that you will continue or shall you be branching out with new creative styles?
Original prints and graphics jacquard knits are our signatures alongside with chunky knits and glow-in-the-dark items. I will keep developing those signatures with new inspirations(often from films) plus some social issue I am interested such as LGBTQI+ rights..
Sunny Andrea: Where do you see yourself in 10 years time and what has your family made of your success in the fashion world?
I, hopefully, will still do my own collection as a creative director with freedom and don’t need to do 12 collections a year like some well-known but will be collapsed peers. My family, especial my mother, build me up a perseverance personality which can me fit in the tough industry such as fashion.
Sunny Andrea: If you could give five tips to somebody wanting to start a career as a fashion designer what would it be?
(1) Be Patient, because it’s a career take time to develop. (2) Be creative, because you need it to solve many problems in not only design but the whole process to create a collection. (3) Be kind, because you might face some unkind people who have some mental issues needed your kindness to understand why they become a monster like that. (4) Be knowledgeable about many fields besides fashion, because it will make you become a designer with a wider vision. (5)Be true to yourself, because that’s the only way you can find out your own design language and become unique in the fashion world.
Sunny Andrea: You are showcasing your AW19/20 collection of your gold label at London fashion week-how does it feel to be back in London and what’s next for you?
It feels like I finally come back home to see my dad and mom to tell them what did their son do overseas for 8 years. I will see what dad and mom(?!) said to me and then decide my next move.
Sunny Andrea: Can we expect any collaborations in the future with yourself and any other designers or celebrities in the fashion world?
Sure! Some projects are discussing now and I am very open to all the possible cooperation with not only brands/designers but also celebrities. Send us an email and we can start a conversation from that.