ZHUO 2022 NYFW Jewelry Collection "Precious-Less"

Swanky Magazine Interviews the wonderfully talented fashion designer - Zhuolin Liu

FASHION DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT | Zhuolin Liu from New York

What do you do to an idea has been thrown away? What if you bundle them up and make something new? Collection Precious-Less collaborates with some of the Ph.D. students from the NYU Center for Data Science. This time ZHUO focus on the material again, by starting by collecting the paper waste that the students used every day from their work/study. The paper with thoughts, inspiration, excitement, and doubts, kept its own character but flow into a new shape, a new spirit. Precious-Less is trying to tell a story about “value” through the contrast and harmony between discarded material paper and precious metal.

Q1. Swanky Mag: Hello Zhuolin Liu, can you introduce yourself to Swanky Magazine's readers? Can you tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Zhuolin Liu, I am the Founder of ZHUO, a new work-based fashion brand for sustainable clothing and accessories. I received my BFA in China, then I attended an MFA program at the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2018, in New York.

Q2. Why did you choose fashion design as a career?

Fashion to me, is something very related to who I am. Being a fashion designer is a main way that I interact with my inner being and society. Fashion has impact on the environment I live and the way I see the world(women, race, culture, religion…). For me, fashion design express my view/value in various ways.

Q3. Which area of fashion do you specialise in? Did you always want to work in that area?

I specialize in sustainable fashion design. I have always interested in this area. During the pandemic, I sensed more what should be the priority in the world right now as a designer. To me, sustainable fashion is more than just addressing fashion textiles or products. It’s about every step involved in the entire Industry chain. It has so many problems and needs more actions. There is a stereotype that ‘ethical’ fashion products equals “boring”. As a designer, they’re so much room and responsibility for me to bring excitement, energy to the my design, no matter my clothing or accessories projects.

Q4. Please briefly describe your style for our readers.

Avant-grade. Innovative in material.

Model: Nyayop Toang
   IG: @nyayop.t
Makeup Artist: Grace Yen
   IG: @graceyenmakeup
   WB: www.graceyen.com
Fashion Designer: Zhuolin Liu
   IG: @zhuo.nyc
   WB: https://www.zhuolinliudesign.com/
Photographer: Yongqi Liu
   IG: @ivanliu_
   WB: http://www.yongqiliu.com

Q5. Where do you get inspiration from when creating any design?

I get inspirations from movie, science. Sometimes I start with experiments of certain material.

Q6. What do you love about being a fashion designer?

I love how fashion connect with myself. I see myself from what I create.

Q7. Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

I would consider myself both a hobbyist and professional. Why not? I love fashion! I worked for fashion for a while and now I have my own fashion brand.

Q8. What has been the most memorable moment of your career and why?

In 2022 New York Fashion Week, I presented my sustainable fashion jewelry collection Precious-Less. This collection means a lot to me.

Q9. What’s the hardest part of your job?

There is always unexpected things happen during the process.

Q10. What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new upcoming fashion designer looking to start their own business and pursue a career as a designer?

Design is all about taking risks and putting your own spin on things. Developing a style of your own brand comes from experimenting and willing to be different.

Q11. According to you, what are the skills that are necessary for becoming a successful fashion designer?

Have a wide range of knowledge of fashion material.

Q12. How do you stay updated with the trends in the fashion industry?

I watch fashion shows often and follow the news about different trade shows. I also check the retail to check the market trend.s

Follow for more:

Fashion Designer: Zhuolin Liu

IG: @zhuo.nyc

Website: www.zhuolinliudesign.com