Cristobal Balenciaga, Kenzo Takada, Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons, Karl Lagerfeld – French fashion could also be indivisible, but Paris owes rather a lot to the various emigrant designers who left their mark on its vibrant history.
Even high fashion, probably the most refined and most French lifestyle, was invented by the British designer Charles Frederick Worth, wrote Lily Templeton.
Paris continues to be a creative fashion capital and a cosmopolitan crossroads that pulls designers and fashionistas. Among the five expats who’re influencing the Paris fashion scene with their eye-catching creations is a designer from the region.
Meet Andrew Gn:East meets West in a wedding of passion and precision
“To make your mark in Paris, where the winds of fashion blow in so many directions, you have to stay true to yourself. Your creativity will blossom on its own. That’s the only way to stand out from the crowd,” says Andrew Gn, who moved to the town in 1992 and founded his eponymous label 4 years later.
Born in Singapore, Gn expanded his cosmopolitan upbringing by studying at Central Saint Martin in London and Domus Academy in Milan before moving to Paris to help Emmanuel Ungaro.
From his Parisian atelier come coats with geometric patterns, jackets with voluminous sleeves covered with intricate embroidery, floor-length dresses with corsets inlaid with flowers – all from a master of cutting who perfectly understands his clientele.
“While other cities may try to compete with Paris, this city maintains a unique creativity and incredible savoir-faire in all areas of fashion,” says the designer, whose creations resemble a painted scene.
Whether it’s a cocktail party or a boardroom, his women stand out with designs that mix his pan-Asian heritage with a magpie sensibility for beauty and culture.
Other fashion designers who shared the stage with Andrew Gn include Turkish-born Yaz Bukey, Australian designer Martin Grant and Indian designer Manish Arora.
Source :South China Morning Post
