Student Designers Create… WDesigns: The San Francisco Runway Premiere of the Venus Collection

An elegant blend of both Grecian and Martian elements, the Venus collection by WDesigns made a stunning runway premiere at Roe, one of San Francisco’s trendiest lounges, on Friday January 22, 2010. Wayne Hwang, a Stanford alumnus and previous DKNY model, designed the collection and coordinated the runway premiere with his business partner Thom Scher. The Venus collection featured twenty-five ready-to-wear outfits; the collection was defined by its audacious use of bright and metallic colors and its incorporation of couture elements, such as high collars or winged dresses. The Venus runway premiere was followed by a fabulous after-party at Vessel Nightclub where models, stylists, and guests sipped champagne and discussed the collection.

Wayne & Thom met while working together for Stanford’s Charity Fashion Show and the two are already leaders in the San Francisco fashion community as WDesigns has attracted press from the Stanford Daily, San Jose Fashion Week, San Jose Mercury News and more. WDesigns initially established its presence in California at the 2009 Stanford Charity Fashion Show, where WDesigns debuted the Water collection. The Water collection is much less ready-to-wear in comparison to Venus, yet the Water garments still maintain the WDesigns philosophy of “rediscovering the glamour of feminine beauty… [through] the exquisiteness of a look, the grace of a full length gown, [and] the magnetism of a corset.” I had the pleasure of meeting both Wayne and Thom backstage during the Venus runway premiere. Although Wayne and Thom were frantically escorting guests, adjusting models’ makeup, and taking care of other logistics for the event, they both took some time to answer some questions for Her Campus readers and aspiring designers and event producers in the fashion industry. Wayne Hwang (Designer)

Her Campus: When did you first discover your interest in fashion & design?

Wayne Hwang: When I was 16, I started modeling for DKNY. At the time, I thought it was the best thing in the world to be able to model. However, as I began to do more runway shows, I became increasingly attracted to the behind-the-scenes work that created and developed the innovative fashions that I was given the opportunity to model.

HC: Please describe the vision and history of WDesigns.

WH: Honestly, I never really thought that WDesigns would ever become its own label. For the past 5-6 years, I had jokingly called anything remotely artistic that I created a "WDesigns" product. However, after I created my first haute couture collection almost a year ago, I realized the potential impact WDesigns could have on the industry. Long gone is the era of original couture from the early 20th century, the focus of WDesigns is to re-invent the ideas of classic feminine beauty, and we do so by borrowing elements of dramatic couture.

HC: What was your inspiration for the Venus collection?

WH: In my latest runway collection, Venus, I'm translating my recent experiences as a Stanford graduate into a clothing line. In what I've been calling the past seven months as my "gap" year, I've been conflicted with several contrasting career choices. Thus, I created "Venus" as a clothing line to contrast both the classical feminine beauty of the Greek goddess of Love and the modern, rock-chic appeal associated with the planet Venus. It is a blend of love and technology and how it parallels my life in the past year.

HC: What advice do you have for young designers looking to gain exposure?

WH: Get formal training. Obtain legitimate press. Network like crazy. Oh, and have lots and lots of capital. Now wouldn't it be nice if we all had that at our fingertips?

HC: When will you debut your next collection?

WH: At this point it is unclear. This collection will likely guide what I do next, and I'm anxious to see what that is.

HC: How do you envision the future of WDesigns in five years?

WH: Again, I'm not 100% positive about anything. What I can say is that if I'm happy, then WDesigns is happy. Also, the idea of WDesigns isn't exactly limited to a time. WDesigns is about allowing a woman to feel like a woman, and be confident in that feeling. In five years I think that goal will have remained.

HC: How does working in fashion in San Francisco different than it might be in other cities?

WH: SF is more arts-focused. NYC & LA are more industry-focused. I mean, not to be crass, but let’s be real: the industry is exclusive and the best thing you can do as a designer is to get yourself to a place where that industry is.

HC: What does it mean for a girl to be attractive, fun and confident?