Bloodbuzz is an independent local fashion label with designs that marry
both elegance and edginess. The label promises to deliver great design,
workmanship and service to customers. Find ready-to-wear items that are
one-of-a-kind yet easy on the wallet and practical; there’s a piece for every
occasion. Read on to find out more about the designer behind this label,
Kimberly K Wong.
Graduating with a fashion & marketing degree at the London College
of Fashion, Kimberly has dabbled with designing menswear for a while, and
showcased at the debut Wardroblings fashion show, the first ever prelude to the
annual Wardrobe design show at Zouk jointly organized by FashionTV and The
Fashion Fraternity.
With a strong love for designing, that goes beyond fashion design, she
is generally fascinated with good, interesting designs - be it product, graphic
or typographic design. For her, it's about aesthetics as a whole, the thought
process behind the beautification of everyday life and that feeling the
designer translates into his or her work, that takes new life in the aesthetic
and emotion that the final product evokes.
Now that she is back in Singapore, Kimberly K Wong is ready to take on
the Singapore design scene with her very own fashion label Bloodbuzz. I recently had an opportunity speak with this
passionate designer as she opened up about her inspirations and dreams for her
label.
What made you want to start your own brand?
I think even as a kid, I knew I wanted to do something creative with my
life. I was never big on dressing Barbie dolls, so that's one cliché I can
deny. But I was always looking for something to draw or make or create.
I like to think I was also inspired by my time in London. Each
different area is represented by such unique street styles. I would spend my
weekends in London's East End - an area with street art, design markets,
(affordably) independent labels and food from all sorts of faraway places. An
amalgamation of people, cultures and styles would manifest itself. When I came
home, one idea led to another, and Bloodbuzz, which we like to think of as a
lifestyle label, was born.
Tell us more about the brand philosophy.
Bloodbuzz was approached with the belief that fashion is less about
trends and more about style, the concept that independent fashion doesn't have
to be an expensive luxury and the fact that "designer" doesn't always
have to be avant garde - it can be practical and wearable, it just needs to
dare. To dare to be different. Personal style and individualism are key
concepts in the Bloodbuzz label.
The design philosophy for Bloodbuzz was simple: to create effortless
wardrobe staples with an understated contemporary feel. The difference lies in
the impeccable proportions and intricate details - both in the design process
and the garment aesthetics.
What would you say is your design signature having
had to design pieces in the course of your time in London, and then for your
label, Bloodbuzz?
If I had to define a design signature, I'd say what ties the
collections together is the marriage of elegance & edginess. Combining
classic silhouettes with a modern edge, quality fabrics are twisted and turned;
ruching techniques are meticulously executed to create complex knots, draping
sleeves, quirky pockets and unique hemlines. I like experimenting with clothes;
I enjoy playing with juxtaposition - contrasting colours, elements, details,
fabrics and silhouettes.
How would you describe the Bloodbuzz clientele?
I imagine my client to be a confident woman who is passionate about life,
is unafraid to be different. She has a curiosity for the finer things in life -
I imagine she enjoys music, art, good food and wine, is happy to spend Friday
night embraced with a good book and some hot chocolate. I imagine she would
like to wander the world.
(I should clarify that personally, I think the "finer things in
life" I mentioned doesn't always necessarily have to be expensive - I do
believe it's the intangible value that matter most when speaking of art &
life)
The line is created for beautiful, whimsical dreamers who appreciate
understated luxury, who understand personal style.
How do you feel about the design scene in
Singapore? Do you feel that Singaporeans are very supportive of local
designers?
I'm 100% supportive of all things Singaporean - from our local hawker
fare to quirky start-ups, and of course local designers.
I feel like Singaporeans are more exposed to high street fast fashion
brands, as well as branded luxury, and sometimes the little independent
designers tend to get drowned in between. But I do think that's slowly starting
to change, with an increasing emphasis that Singaporeans' are now placing on
lifestyle and, consequently, design. When it comes down to it, I think it's not
being easy being a "local designer" any where in the world. Wherever
you are, every designer still has to fight for the opportunity to succeed,
still has to work for their dream. It's definitely difficult, but I wouldn't
have it any other way.
With so many local designers sprouting up, how will
you differentiate Bloodbuzz from these other offerings?
Competition is definitely fierce, now more than ever. We're choosing to
focus on Bloodbuzz instead of trying to compete or compare, because every
designer is different, every label is different. We believe in working hard,
having fun and staying true to our own brand vision and design philosophy.
It's funny, because so much of our thinking are influenced by our
parents - who often tell us to follow our passions and let life take it's
course - "love what you do, do what makes you happy and worry about
everything else later". I always say we're lucky to have such supportive
parents.
Who are your design heroes, and why?
I don't think I have one specific design hero. Every season, I find
myself blown away my different designers and the different things they do.
Tell us more about your sources of inspiration.
The truth is I'm inspired by a myriad of things, tangible and
intangible, that manifest themselves in different details - it’s all about
the details." I do think much of my inspiration comes from the life I live
- little words in the books I read, a still from the films I watch, a specific
emotion that is evoked by the music I listen to. Conversations with the
different people in my life. I think a big part of me is also inspired by my
travels - experiencing a different way of life, understanding the people and
their cultures, there's no feeling quite like the feeling of getting lost in a
new city.
And because of these intangible translations, even within a single
collection, each piece is different from the next - which as a designer, I have
to admit, is somewhat unorthodox.
In 5 years' time, you will be...
I'd like to be running a very successful
Bloodbuzz, working on an indie magazine, travelling the world taking beautiful
pictures, meeting beautiful people, and still head over heels in love. I guess
if there's one thing life's taught me, it's that nothing ever turns out the way
you expect it to. I just know I'd still like to be pushing my creative
boundaries, exploring the world and filling my life with lots of love, family,
good food and better friends.
To shop Bloodbuzz, visit Kimberly’s online
store at www.bloodbuzz.com.sg
♥,
Fal
