Chasseur loves young, aspiring designers who desire to make a strong statement and have the aesthetically suitable means to achieve just that. No wonder why Man Mak’s work drew our attention. His graduation collection for London College of Fashion goes under the title ‘A- is a disgrace’, and it’s consisted of little episodes which all together narrate a story, set up with a special artistic mastery. Inspired by the silhouette of the Japanese school uniform, Man Mak peruses his cultural inheritance through a different lens and translates it into clean fabric cuts and a carefully chosen palette. Find out more about the young designer as he answers all our questions below.
What pushed Man Mak right into the fashion world? How did it all begin?
I love exploring all things innovative, especially those related to design. Fashion in my hometown, Hong Kong, is quite standard and more about trends. That’s why I decided to study abroad and so my fashion journey in London began.
How would you describe your personal development as a designer and artist during the time of your studies?
I’ve spent four years as a student in London. These haven’t been easy, mainly because I had no particular art background. I struggled a lot when I first came but it all worked out in the end.
‘A- is a disgrace’ is all about contemporary over-parenting and the impact it has to the psychology of the child. What inspired you to choose such a theme?
Over-parenting is one of the most debatable topics in contemporary society. Some parents have extremely high expectations of their children’s academic results, “A+ is a Standard, A- is a disgrace”; they assume a good certification can make their children’s life easier. It seems to be nothing wrong with aiming for good achievements, but there should be a limit for the sake of their children ‘s smooth development.
I couldn’t help but notice the emphasis you gave on the ‘A- is a disgrace’ lookbook’s mise-en-scène. What are your thoughts on the connection between designing, tailoring, narrating and directing the idea behind a project?
I always find the design process similar to that of cooking. The first thing you do before cooking/designing is actually some strong research. Then you can start designing your own version of dishes/fashion. After that, it is the sourcing part, looking for appropriate ingredients/fabrics. Eventually, you follow the plan and start cooking/making the real thing. The first attempts are usually not that successful, but if you are patient, brilliant results are bound to happen.
Any hints on the future?
I want to gain some work experience in the industry. I am keen on working on graphic works as well, so hopefully I can find a job in a fashion magazine. I also wish for my own shop in the future, selling my own designs as well as selected works from around the world.
Photography | Jose Montemayor
Styling | Sophia Drakou
Make Up | Leo De-Valentino
Model | Max (AMCK)