I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine, Jennifer Huang. Jennifer's a young designer with exceptional talent that hales from Orange County, California. While she may be young, she's certainly had her fair share of experiences. She's been designing collections while attending Orange County High School of the Arts for years, and recently received a scholarship from Teen Vogue, The CFDA, and Target. You may even recognize her face from the photo below that was featured on Life Magazine's site.
I had the opportunity to meet this amazing girl while attending Teen Vogue's Fashion U this past October where she was presented with the scholarship. Well what struck me most about Jennifer was that she didn't even mention the fact that she had won the scholarship the entire day I spent with her. I'm so glad that we had similar schedules and were able to get to know one another.
I recently caught up with Jennifer through Facebook and e-mails and she agreed to an interview for the site! The interview is posted after the jump.
When did you first notice you had an interest in fashion?
Probably in middle school. In our school district, all the middle schools are required to have uniforms. I remember always thinking of new ways to work around our uniforms, haha. That's also when I first started sewing.
Where do you look for inspiration?
This probably sounds rather cheesy/I-want-to-be-Thoreau-y, haha. But I really am inspired by nature. Andy Goldsworthy's earth works always provide a source of inspiration. I like the organic shapes that water/ripples create and the lines that are created on sedimentary rocks and on trees, and so I try to incorporate those elements into my designs.
What designers do you admire (living or dead)?
I really admire Gareth Pugh, the Mulleavy sisters, and also McQueen, Galliano. I like that they are able to create their own little world on the runway.
When designing your lines, what type of client do you keep in mind?
Uhm, I've never really thought about this. I guess I don't have a particular type in mind. I often use neutral colors, so maybe my client is someone who is more subdued, yet also bold in personality. As far as maybe, style icons, I really love how Tilda Swinton dresses for the red carpet.
How did it feel to win the Teen Vogue/CFDA scholarship?
I had to read the e-mail informing me that I had won maybe a thousand times. Haha, I couldn't believe it, and still, it seems like a dream to me. But this scholarship means so much to me, because at the time, I was still debating whether or not to pursue art in college and as a career, but this scholarship was a definite sign and encouragement. I'm very thankful to Teen Vogue, the CFDA, and Target for choosing me.
What did you enjoy most out of the weekend when Teen Vogue Fashion U took place?
Well, meeting people (such as yourself!) was fun. It was really surreal to be in Times Square, surrounded by hundreds of students who felt so passionately about fashion. It was an amazing experience, and I learned so much about the fashion industry. And walking through the Teen Vogue office was unreal! I saw all the photographs that I studied as a middle schooler suddenly blown up on the walls around the office. Haha, it was like traveling back through time and walking through the images that I loved from the magazine. I've been reading this magazine since 2004, which doesn't sound all that long ago, but it's been six years; more than a third of my life if you think about it, haha.
Other than clothing, what else do you enjoy putting your artistic twist on?
Well, I love art in general. I like to draw, or mostly doodle, a lot, haha. I'm also in a printmaking and ceramics class right now, and I really enjoy it. I guess I just like to make things with my hands.
What do you hope to be doing in 10 years?
This might be a bit unrealistic, haha, but in 10 years, I hope to be a designer with a collection to show every season. I would also like to work on side projects involving the visual arts. Seeing Blake Mycoskie from Toms Shoes at Fashion U has also inspired me to combine art and philanthropy creatively, so I hope to be able to delve further into it the next ten years.
Who would you like to see wearing your designs?
I think I might have answered this, haha, but if Tilda Swinton, or Charlotte Gainsbourg, or if any one wore my designs, I would be incredibly honored, haha.
What are your other interests?
Well, I like to draw, paint, knit, crochet, embroider, and sew. Sometimes I attempt to play the piano, violin, ukulele, and the accordion, haha. I also like to read and watch movies, documentaries, and also Lost, haha.
Do you listen to music when going through your creative process? If so- what bands do you favor?
Yeah, I really enjoy listening to Owen Pallett, Patrick Wolf (especially, Wind in the Wires and Lycanthropy), Grizzly Bear, Bjork, Radiohead, and of course, some Nsync, haha.
Here's some of Jennifer's artwork:
My absolute favorite!
Jacket, Dress (Worn as a top), and vest crafted by Jennifer.
Photos of Jen taken by Betty Huang, her talented photographer sister.
Look for Jennifer in an upcoming issue of Teen Vogue!
Her artwork is really incredible. Great interview.
Posted by: liz | 02/04/2010 at 04:06 PM
Inspiring. LOVE IT
Posted by: Sarah Witt | 02/07/2010 at 01:27 PM
love what you did here. interviews are my favorite.
cladincouture.blogspot.com
Posted by: Shayna | 02/09/2010 at 01:15 PM
great design...pleasant and artistic...
Posted by: KT | 02/12/2010 at 07:42 PM
Great interview! I love the fact that Jennifer's first interest in fashion really flowered from a desire to stand out from her classmates in terms of school uniform. It's amazing how a little thing like that can spark such talent!! :)
Posted by: Cafe Fashionista | 02/12/2010 at 10:18 PM
i find this artist very interesting, she seems a great person also..a little thing like that(a desire to stand out from her classmates in terms of school uniform) can spark such talent, and someday it could make a big difference in that industry, i'm sure that if she pursues her dream, she'll get there. i wish her all the luck. :)
Posted by: luisa | 12/06/2010 at 05:47 AM
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Posted by: sjr builders | 12/20/2011 at 07:32 AM
which art college did she end up going to?
Posted by: Tiffany | 02/10/2012 at 07:43 PM