Journey to Fashion

I have loved to draw since I was little and my heart has been set in the creative field since then. My schooling/experience has always been in the fine arts, sculpture, visual communication design (graphic design) and fashion design. I strive to do what I do the best (design) and at the same time help the world to be a little better and greener - eco fashion is my contribution. My father used to be a tailor, I grew up immersed in those surroundings. I live a green lifestyle and I love nature, I came to this path naturally.

I decided to leave Taiwan on my birthday in 1995 setting off for New York and starting my creative adventure. I attended the School of Visual Arts and settled in the lower East Side of Manhattan where I still live and work.

Love of Fabrics

Fabrics are one of the essential elements that affects the outcome of the garment. The fabrics/materials I use are organic, low-impact and certainly environmental friendly. Mostly I use cotton, hemp and wool - they are gentle to the skin; easy to drape and dye. I also think to reuse the materials that are existing already - to give it a new life is very helpful.

Meiling Chen designs are a free-spirited journey into the uncharted terrain of contemporary ready-to-wear and eco couture.

As a fashion designer, I feel very comfortable and right about this path, the main challenge is the availability of materials/fabrics and textiles; they are not as abundant or accessible as conventional ones. However, this pushes me to be more creative to make good design work. For example, sometimes I have to dye the fabric with the colours I envision, and constantly invent new ways of draping, trimming and other treatments.

Nevertheless, my inspiration comes from everyday live, the people, places and things around me and happening to me.

Eco Fashion’s Dilemma

We need to provide more information and awareness regarding eco clothing. Price and availability are also the concerns at the moment for the general public. The tough economy definitely has slowed things down, at the same time it is a good filter for good quality work to continue to exist and grow. It weeds out the unfaithful ones.

The cost of materials/fabrics/production need to be lower so that there will be more accessible and affordable organic clothes for different market needs. In fact, I hope to find good ethical vendors to work with to make it happen in the near future.

Clothing is a necessity of life, green fashion is a plus and a vanity. Meiling Chen hopes to find good ethical vendors to work with to make it happen in the near future.

Clothing is a necessity of life, green fashion is a plus and a vanity. I believe everyone should do what they can to better the world in their own way, every little thing helps! If we can provide beautiful clothes and reduce the harmful effects on the environment at the same time, why not?

Hope for the Future

I launched my namesake label "Fearless Dreamer" in New York in Spring 2008, and since then have had three runway shows/fashion exhibitions during New York Fashion Week and participated in green fashion shows around the world. My mission is to incorporate playfulness and creativity into contemporary living, which I hope is also expressed in the timeless and trend-defying nature of my ethically responsible apparel.

I strive to create good work, meaning to provide customers with quality and value, honestly. Fair-trade is very important for me. I hope to create unique pieces as well as affordable clothes/products to provide different needs/price points and in someway bring fun and creativity into our daily lives.

© EcoAsia 2009