On being an eco-fashion designer:

When I was a child, my mum used to love making dresses for me. I think subconsciously it helped to nurture and develop my taste in fashion. I studied drawing when I was a kid and continued to do so when I was at college.

In 1995, even though I was still studying Economics at college in Shanghai, I noticed there weren’t many local fashion designers. My parents made clear their concern about my dream of becoming a fashion designer. In order not to disappoint them, I continued with my economics degree to prepare to be a teacher; which they thought would be a better future for me. After I had completed my bachelor’s degree, I made up my mind and became determined to follow my instinct: I made a bold move to pursue my interest in fashion. In my last year of university, I applied to study at Marrogonni - a fashion school in Milan.

It has come to a point where I realise that you need only search your own soul to know what freedom is. Freedom is the right to achieve your dreams, to realise the inner desires of your heart. Freedom is not just a state of being. Freedom is an action and a force. As to being a fashion designer, I think it’s almost like a gift that I’m born with and I can feel with my senses. I’m grateful to have the power of freedom to do what I want in life; instead of following my mind I have chosen to follow my heart.

Each of Jenny's collections is inspired by a ‘slice of life’, be it nature, culture, custom or even local cuisine. Blending Chinese elements of traditional culture with western ways of cutting and design style has become her signature fusion style.

That’s why I created the fashion label ‘La vie’ which is a top leisure ready-to-wear brand. The brand name says it all: comfortable, casual, chic and based on people’s lifestyles. My inspiration obviously comes from everyday life… I also believe that you have to be inspired to have goals. You have to be inspired to be your own person.

On using eco-friendly materials:

The Green fashion movement is giving the fashion industry an eco-makeover. I’m particularly interested in using recycled materials and eco-friendly fabrics in my collection. I have used organic fabrics and 100% bamboo fibre knitted fabric for my 08/FW Food Lover collection, I have chosen organic coloured cotton, recyclable materials and natural fabrics for my 09/SS collection, this is why my works are different from other commercial designers. In fact, eco-friendly fabrics are usually more expensive than normal material found in the market, one of the reasons is that most of them are imported and so the overall costs are higher. That is why I have always insisted to only produce lower quantity and high-quality design.

Our collection for 09/10 spring and summer is entitled ‘The door god collection’. In it, I have applied simple colours to highlight the traditional Chinese silk tessel and crochet, as well as our most popular pure cotton lace webbing, to outline the whole ensemble. This new collection hits the trend with smooth shapes and easy styles. I have woven abandoned Coke bottles into organic cotton. Moreover, there will be a RPET (recycle PET) "recyclable plastic" sign on each sleeve of clothing which has the Coke bottle woven into it as well as the number of Coke bottles. Our brand uses sustainably natural silk and recycling fabrics in the collection to reflect its appreciation of low-profile luxurious fashion. The combination of embroidered details and the cartoon character on the prints, makes the collection full of fun and joy.

La vie likes to use fabric to tell a story and act out the story through fashion spreads and fashion shows.

On facing the challenges:

Sustainability is a core part of fashion’s future and in the last decade, ecological and ethical concerns have moved from the fringes of the fashion and textile industry towards its heart. The goal of sustainable fashion, and that of the designers, global brands and not-for-profits who are working to make it happen, is to make unsustainable fashion a thing of the past. It is an enormous task, with effects that stretch far beyond the traditional boundaries of fashion companies and touch on things as diverse as agriculture and patterns of consumption. It will only succeed if consumers, producers, retailers, designers, community groups and international corporations connect together and jointly recognise their influence in promoting change.

From the way the raw materials are grown and the people who harvest it, to the business practices of all the companies involved from beginning to final product (including the boutique that sells it), eco-fashion is about ethical consumerism. Therefore, costing of the fabric right now is still a big challenge to me as an eco-fashion designer, especially for a boutique fashion house like La vie.

Eco-fabrics, low-impact dyes and manufacturing locally (rather than overseas) are all very expensive. Because of these factors, in order for a garment to produce any sort of profit for the designer or company, the price point has to be higher. In the end, though, consumers get what they pay for. Eco-clothing is often very well made, and eco-fabrics also have much longer life spans than conventional fabrics, so they aren't purchasing disposable clothing.

Now, even though I’m pretty busy, I still keep my happy-go-lucky attitude towards life, I do not wish to make a lot of money but only hope that my work will attract a huge amount of recognition for my work - as long as I can keep myself going then I’ll be happy.

Jenny's latest collection is inspired by the Door Gods which she's working in collaboration with a famous cartoonist from Taiwan, Yabali. With this drawing she developed many different kinds of design.

On my latest collection:


My latest collection is inspired by the Door Gods, ancient portraits that were hung on doors in the Eastern Han dynasty and were known to protect people's homes against evil spirits and general misfortune. I’m working in collaboration with a famous cartoonist from Taiwan, Yabali. In order to reinterpret traditional Chinese custom in a fun way, we ditched the traditional image of folklore heroes and mythological figures in the repertoire, replacing them with a cartoon character, an adorable feminine figure using the same big knife to protect us.

With this drawing I developed many different kinds of design. We also printed it onto all different kinds of fabric, like chiffon and organic cotton, to create different kinds of look. The responses which we received from the audience at the fashion show as well as customers in our shop have been quite overwhelming. Also, on 21st October, I am going to hold Wedding Couture fashion show in Shanghai.

In La vie, we like to use fabric to tell a story and act out the story through fashion spreads and fashion shows. Besides the visual impact, our way of educating and conveying our brand message to consumers is also through media coverage. Women who choose La vie are stylish, elegant and with great respect to fashion and/or self expression but not necessarily following trends. They are conscious about quality as well as identify and are medium to high users of luxury products.

I’ll be contented if I happen to see a customer who is wearing my design when I’m sipping my drink at the cafe, that will make my day!

© EcoAsia 2009