Interview: Jackie Yang, Creative Director of Chelsea and Walker

May 21, 2018 2:00 PM

TWELV sat down with Jackie Yang, Creative Director of Chelsea and Walker, in the brand’s New York City garment district office to chat about the rising designer’s childhood exploration of his parent’s closets, growing up in the supermodel era, and standing out in today’s ever-expanding fashion landscape. Read the excerpts and watch the full interview below:

Where are you from?

I grew up in Singapore. I moved to Taiwan when I was about 9 years old, just to learn to be independent, to learn the language. It was a great experience, and then I moved to New York after high school in Singapore.  

Did you study design?

I actually came here for business school first. I went to NYU’s MBA program, and after that I did one year of fashion design at FIT.

When did you become interest in fashion?

I’ve always loved fashion since I was really young. My parents, they are obsessed with fashion. So, I always had a really great time in their closets. My mom happened to be a jewelry designer, and she has her own business as well. 

What inspires you?

I love French fashion, and that it’s very couture but its very chic. It’s very romantic. I also love Italian fashion because it’s very sexy and very edgy. Tom Ford— what he’s doing now and also what he did for Gucci and Saint Laurent. But at the same time, I love Yves Saint Laurent back then as well. But since I’ve been living in New York for so many years now, I love this whole American, easy sportswear.

Where do you work now?

I’m the Creative Director for Chelsea & Walker. I started this line at the end of 2014. I basically guide the whole design, the imagery, the branding, the marketing.  I like to mix feminine and masculine. I like to mix modern and romance. This whole Yin and Yang all factors into the brand.

What was the starting point for the Spring/Summer 2018?

I grew up in the 80’s. I grew up in the 90’s. So, I’m always obsessed with the 80’s. You know– the 80’s– the rock’n’roll, the punk and all that, the whole East Village. Madonna– this whole musical vibe. At the same time, I love the 90’s grunge. Courtney Love– you know– Kate Moss. Back in the 90’s is what I grew up with, and so that’s always in me, and I would like to bring what I grew up with into the collection and make it modern.

When you’re not working, what do you enjoy doing?

To be honest with you, I’m sleeping a lot. You know, to catch up on sleep and release stress, and I also love work outs as well. So, Yoga, Jogging.

What’s the biggest issue facing the fashion industry?

For design, it’s getting harder to reach out to your audience, to find your specific customer. Because there is so much going on out there, a lot of offerings out there. Just have your own voice and make it feel fresh and new.

Be You, Be CW!

 

Video by CHAMA

Edited by HOLLIS DE LANEY

 

related posts

Alcone Backstage Set Designed by Roger Padilha. Photo: Santiago Felipe.

Alcone 65th Anniversary @Capitale: Interview with CEO Maria Stewart

No make-up company has a more storied history firmly ensconced in New York showbiz.

November 13, 2017 4:00 PM  |  People

Ikemen #35: Zaher Saleh

IKEMEN (ē´k´mɛn): Japanese Slang

"REALLY, REALLY, RIDICULOUSLY GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE"

October 31, 2017 5:00 PM  |  People
Keith Kattner

Interview: Neurosurgeon-turned-Artist Keith Kattner on the Surgery of Classical Painting

Dr. Keith Kattner does not have the typical background one would expect of a successful neurosurgeon.

October 25, 2017 4:00 PM  |  People

New Type #27: Nika Tang Interview

San Fransisco-based designer Nika Tang has emerged as boldly committed to her ideology as to her pieces. Her namesake brand centers...

October 06, 2017 11:00 AM  |  People

TWELV ARCHIVE JOE McKenna INTERVIEW "Call Me Joe"

CALL ME JOE

October 04, 2017 4:00 PM  |  People

Interview: Becky Donnelly's Fashion Creatures

Quirky girl from Dublin with a penchant for drawing fantasy creatures relocates to London after art school.

October 02, 2017 12:00 PM  |  People

New Type #26: Herman – Raif Adelberg Interview

Authenticity.

September 29, 2017 11:00 AM  |  People
Brooke Candy & Kaimin. Photo: Mark Hunter

Kaimin Interview & S/S18 "Slut from the Future" Presentation @ the Top of the Standard

Pulsing with a heavy beat and hazy with a deep rouge glow, the Top of the Standard is as glamorous a place to be as ever. And tonight it is packed with partygoers.

September 28, 2017 10:00 AM  |  People

Yasmina Alaoui Interview & Opera Gallery Exhibition

Yasmina Alaoui burst onto the international arts scene in 2003 with "Tales of Beauty," a collection of nude...

September 11, 2017 5:00 PM  |  People
Søren Solkær

Søren Solkær Interview

Stepping out of a cab into the urban symphony of Midtown, the entryway to The Quin Hotel was easy to spot— with classic architecture and...

September 11, 2017 10:00 AM  |  People

Kyra Ross of Mona Liza Studios Interview

TWELV sat down with the charismatic Kyra Ross, founder of Mona Liza Studios which falls under his larger moniker "...

August 28, 2017 11:00 AM  |  People
Photo by Giorgio Codazzi for Gioia Magazine

Ira Sumbaeva Interview

TWELV sits down with model Ira Sumbaeva to give a glimpse into the story of the cutest Belarusian...

August 25, 2017 8:00 AM  |  People

Benjamin Shine Interview: Master of Tulle

Benjamin Shine is an award-winning international artist whose work stretches across industries from fashion...

August 16, 2017 4:00 PM  |  People
Sarah LeBlanc

New Type #25: Mémère – Sarah LeBlanc Interview

Upon arriving to the Mémère studio, it felt like stepping from the bustle of New York City...

July 26, 2017 10:00 AM  |  People

NEW TYPE #24: JOHNA STONE INTERVIEW

July 21, 2017 11:00 AM  |  People

IKEMEN #34: GABRIEL LIBERTY

IKEMEN (ē´k´mɛn): Japanese Slang

"REALLY, REALLY, RIDICULOUSLY GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE"

July 03, 2017 3:00 PM  |  People

NEW TYPE #23: ANE AMOUR – IYALA ANNE INTERVIEW

“Introducing a talented designer giving sophisticated femininity an edge”

June 23, 2017 1:00 PM  |  People

NEW TYPE #22: Allina Liu INTERVIEW

Born and raised in New York City– we could also add, "in love with”– Allina Liu is a refreshing womenswear designer, who questions the...

June 14, 2017 2:00 PM  |  People

NEW TYPE #21: Kendall Miles INTERVIEW

“My passion is shoes. Kendall Miles shoes are beautiful, alluring and handcrafted in Italy: the perfect pair for the woman who knows who she is and where she wants to go.”

May 23, 2017 3:00 PM  |  People

NEW TYPE #20: Shahista Lalani INTERVIEW

"Introducing an emerging designer creating captivating leather fashions."

February 03, 2017 3:00 PM  |  People

NEW TYPE #19: PAMPLEMOUSSE - Danica Zheng Interview

“Introducing a dedicated, innovative designer to awaken every woman’s inner voice.”

January 10, 2017 10:00 AM  |  People
Shot by Bernadette Baksa

NEW TYPE #18: BOOM DONE SHOP - LIAM BERGIN INTERVIEW

“Introducing the new hot British ethical apparel brand BOOM DONE SHOP” 

December 02, 2016 10:00 AM  |  People

NEW TYPE #17: NAMILA - NAN LI AND EMILIA PFOHL INTERVIEW

NAMILIA was founded in 2015 by Berlin based designers Nan Li and Emilia Pfohl. The duo met while attending University of the Arts Berlin.

November 29, 2016 2:00 PM  |  People

Isabel Dupre Interview

Isabel Dupre Interview is now available!

Check inside for the Full Page Interview.

October 13, 2016 3:00 PM  |  People

MARC ENGLANDER INTERVIEW

October 01, 2016 11:00 AM  |  People

IKEMEN #33: DANIEL VIEDMA

IKEMEN (ē´k´mɛn): Japanese Slang

"REALLY, REALLY, RIDICULOUSLY GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE"

September 14, 2016 4:00 PM  |  People

Judi Harvest INTERVIEW

“We’re all bees, we need to dance more and always search for beauty,” Judi Harvest proclaims.

September 10, 2016 3:00 PM  |  People

BEHIND THE SCENES #4: Nicola Formichetti

TWELV's Behind the Scenes takes a step back and visits the masterminds behind the camera.

September 06, 2016 2:00 PM  |  People

IKEMEN #32: TERRY DOE

IKEMEN (ē´k´mɛn): Japanese Slang

"REALLY, REALLY, RIDICULOUSLY GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE"

Name: TERRY DOE

August 25, 2016 1:00 PM  |  People

NEW TYPE #16: LINDER - SAM LINDER AND KIRK MILLAR INTERVIEW

“Introducing a new generation of quick and fresh minded designers”

August 05, 2016 12:00 PM  |  People

IKEMEN #31: CORNELIUS LOY

IKEMEN (ē´k´mɛn): Japanese Slang

"REALLY, REALLY, RIDICULOUSLY GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE"

August 01, 2016 3:00 PM  |  People

NEW TYPE #15: JULIANNA BASS - JULIANNA BASS INTERVIEW

July 26, 2016 3:00 PM  |  People

Takarazuka CHICAGO Cast Members Interview

“All Japanese, All Women, All that Jazz! We interviewed three cast members of Takarazuka CHICAGO who preformed in the Lincoln Center Festival in 2016.

July 22, 2016 3:00 PM  |  People

Sean O’Pry EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW "Good Ol’ Georgia Boy”

SEAN O’PRY EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

"GOOD OL’ GEORGIA BOY”

July 15, 2016 2:00 PM  |  People

R.I.P. Bill Cunningham

Bill Cunningham, Iconic Street Style Photographer, Passes away at 87 

 

June 29, 2016 4:00 PM  |  People

NEW TYPE #14: Alida Boer - Alida Boer Interview

TWELV Magazine sat down with Alida Boer in NYC to get to know the designer and better understand the intricacies of her designs and company’s mission.

June 13, 2016 11:00 AM  |  People

Pages

SITE BY: monocomplex©Marbles & Marbles International Inc. Drupal Development by: DivDiv, NYC
▲ back to top ▲