TWELV sits down with founders of Parlor Social Club Jan Cieslikiewicz and Frederick Ghartey to give a glimpse into the story of co-founders living in New York City.
NEW TYPE #19: PAMPLEMOUSSE - Danica Zheng Interview
January 10, 2017 10:00 AM
“Introducing a dedicated, innovative designer to awaken every woman’s inner voice.”
Born into a Chinese family, Danica Zheng was raised in Singapore. Developing an appreciation and talent for art growing up, she was selected with a prestigious art scholarship program at just the age of thirteen. Focusing her energy toward the study of Art and Design, she attended architecture school in California at USC, then decided to move to New York City to attend Parsons for fashion design. While in the Big Apple, Zheng’s designs were selected for the Parson’s Benefit Show, displayed in Saks Fifth Avenue’s window, and nominated for the Neiman Marcus Innovative Project.
In 2015, Zheng founded Pamplemousse in downtown New York. Being open-minded and always paying attention to details, her creations are very meaningful and intricate.
--------- DANICA ZHENG’S INTWEVIEW ---------
1. How was moving from Singapore, to California, and now New York City?
DZ: Each place has it's own different charm and contributed differently to shaping the person I am today. New York City is definitely home for me now but I can never stop thinking about all that hawker food back in Singapore!
2. With a name Danica Zheng, why did you name your company, “Pamplemousse?”
DZ: I wanted a name that encapsulates the spirit of this brand and communicates the aesthetics of the line immediately. It's all about spontaneity, fun whimsical nature and a zesty twist, and the name 'Pamplemousse', French for grapefruit, is exactly that.
3. You had an interest for art at a young age, how did you first discover your talent?
DZ: It was actually completely accidental. I have never even thought of doing anything related to Art as a child except for dressing paper dolls. On my first day of middle school, there was a selection test for a prestigious Art scholarship program that the government offered and I tried it out just for fun, when I did get selected it opened up a whole new world to me.
4. What or who do you use for inspiration for your designs?
DZ: Probably myself! Not in an egoistic sense of being a narcissist but rather my immediate environment, people around me, everything that happens around me that I see and hear about. My designs are always a reflection of who I am as a designer or a person, as well as subjects and emotions expressed from my point of view.
5. Leading up to position at Calvin Klein, you interned with a lot of designers such as Carolina Herrera, Narciso Rodriguez, and Jen Kao. Which was the best experience for you?
DZ: I think every experience was necessary at a different stage of my study/career, there is no one better or worse than another. All the internships were a build up to landing my first dream job at Calvin Klein fresh out of school, and eventually making the decision to start Pamplemousse. I did learn that no matter what your job is, the most important thing is to keep an open mind and to get the most out of it, there is always a learning point, if not many.
6. Your spring/summer collection are mostly red, white, black, and blue. Are there meanings behind these colors and a reason why you chose them?
DZ: The inspiration for this collection comes from Le Petit Prince, these colors speak royalty to me and thus the color palette.
7. Do you have any upcoming projects or events you can share with us?
DZ: We are planning for something fun this upcoming fashion week to which I shall keep the suspense for now. We have also been working hard to organize pop up stores next year where customers can see and shop for Pamplemousse pieces in person. More details to come!
8. What is your ultimate goal with your clothing?
DZ: I hope to see more women feel beautiful, comfortable and confident in Pamplemousse.
INTERVIEW BY GINA GARGIULO
PHOTOGRAPHY: CHIAKI KATO
related posts
Keiichiro Nakajima interview
Keiichiro Nakajima is a photographer and director based in Japan, represented by a management and production company called Signo, Inc, which is one of the largest and leading artist management...
SHIN FUJIYAMA Founder of Students Helping Honduras INTERVIEW
Japanese-American philanthropist Shin Fujiyama co-founded Students Helping Honduras with his sister Cosmo Fujiyama.
NEW TYPE #36: Mônot - ELI MIZRAHI INTERVIEW
Beginning with his childhood in Lebanon, Eli Mizrahi garnished inspiration from across the globe to debut his evening wear brand, Mônot, last fall.
RMK CREATIVE DIRECTOR: KAORI INTERVIEW
KAORI is a renowned make-up artist and the creative director of RMK beauty, a flourishing Japanese makeup and skincare brand that is now sold worldwide.
MICHEL GONDRY INTERVIEW
“MAYBE WE CAN BE IMMERSED IN MOVIES BECAUSE WE’RE USED TO DREAMING.”
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
It has become almost useless and banal to introduce Jean-Paul Gaultier.The mere mention of his name alone elicits a constellation of images that have become part of our mind and imagination since...
NEW TYPE #35: DARA SENDERS INTERVIEW
Dara Senders, the designer behind the eponymously titled, all size inclusive brand that launched in 2018, has always been obsessed with fashion.
NEW TYPE #35: NTTE HATS
From a small city near Milan to Downtown New York, Paolo, Designer and creater of NTTE Hatsdiscovered his passion for hats and anything vintage at a young age.
NEW TYPE #34 : BEAU WATSON
1. As a new designer, how do you hope to distinguish yourself among other designers?
NIAN FISH INTERVIEW
Nian Fish, creative director of KCD, has been, for decades, a pivotal figure in the fashion world, assembling and producing fashion shows that have become cultural benchmarks unto themselves, such...
CESAR LOVE ALEXANDRE INTERVIEW
Cesar Love Alexadre is a duo of visual artists formed by Isabelle Chaput and Nelson Tiberghien.They met at the Gobelins school of Photography in Paris and now based in New York where they work on...
TOM PECHEUX INTERVIEW
TWELV got a special interview from Tom Pecheux. Read as we host interviews and explore the lives of artists who shape the final product - directors, fashion designers, stylists, ...
ANTHONY VACCARELLO INTERVIEW
Anthony Vaccarello was considered as one of the brightest new talent in fashion: he was part of this new generation of talents the whole industry has kept an eye on to see them grow, to see them...
Why is Everyone in Hollywood Buzzing About Actress Malgosia Garnys?
Have you ever felt like you were beautiful and powerful and the universe was conspiring in your best interest, and your opportunities were endless because you’ve lost people you loved...
INTERVIEW: Bigwig Broadway Producer, Jordan Roth and Acclaimed Choreographer, Michelle Dorrance
R.I.P Chek Wu
We at TWELV are deeply saddened to announce the passing of talented photographer, boundless free-spirit, and our friend, Chek Wu.
GatherNYC: Everything We Love About Church With No Weird Stuff
GatherNYC is Everything We Love About Sunday Service With None of the Weird Stuff
NEW TYPE #33: Catherine Casias Inteview
If fashion is an expression of experiences, Catherine Casias has a lot of area to cover. She has excelled as an Olympic volleyball player, a philosophy major, and a fine artist....
Party Czar Carmen D’Alessio, Empress of the Sun and the Queen of the Night
You may not know Carmen D’Alessio by name.
IKEMEN #39: JORDAN HENRIQUEZ
IKEMEN (ē´k´mɛn): Japanese Slang
"REALLY, REALLY, RIDICULOUSLY GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE"
IKEMEN #38: WARREN KAY
IKEMEN (ē´k´mɛn): Japanese Slang
"REALLY, REALLY, RIDICULOUSLY GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE"
NEW TYPE #32: ALEXANDER ROYS INTERVIEW
"Introducing an innovative Men’s designer to inspire you with the visions of future and the rise of technology."
Branding in the Worlds of Art and Commerce According to Silvia Mella
Branding is everything. For an entrepreneur, it is the difference between viability and bankruptcy. On social media, we are all our own brands.
Interview: Jackie Yang, Creative Director of Chelsea and Walker
TWELV sat down with Jackie Yang, Creative Director of Chelsea and Walker, in the brand’s New York City...
New Type #31: Angela Mitchell – Krystal and Marilyn Lavoie Interview
We are living in the age of fast fashion, and even Europe’s most storied luxury brands have been moving their factories to Asia to reduce costs.
Ikemen #37: Dominik Halas
IKEMEN (ē´k´mɛn): Japanese Slang
"REALLY, REALLY, RIDICULOUSLY GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE"
New Type #30: Carolina Sarria & Bianca Allen Interview
Both Carolina Sarria and Bianca Allen knew they wanted to become fashion designers from a young age.
Interview & Backstage: Christian Siriano Celebrates 10 Years in Fashion
After the successful launch of his book Dresses to Dream About, a decade-anniversary celebration on the runway, and a whirlwind of striking celebrity looks on the red carpet of...
New Type #29: Jackie Astier Interview
Astier places its identity within the advanced adaptation skills of the modern New York woman.
INTERVIEW: Meet Kiko Arai, Miss Japan-turned Face of Balmain and Zara
Kiko Arai hails from Osaka, Japan, and after winning the title of Miss Japan 2012, the now 27-year old is captivating a new audience– the fashion world.
Interview: Parisian Designer Frédéric Robert's Debut Shoe Collection "ME.LAND"
A vibrant brand of Italian-made shoes for men is emerging this year as one-to-watch.
New Type #28: the Design Duo Behind Maxime Hernandez Interview
The streetwear phenomenon in the fashion establishment is not slowing down anytime soon.
MICHEL NAFZIGER INTERVIEW
With a wealth of experience shooting some for some of fashion's most renowned clients (Yves Saint Laurent, Guy Laroche), ...
IKEMEN #36: Jérôme LaMaar
IKEMEN (ē´k´mɛn): Japanese Slang
"REALLY, REALLY, RIDICULOUSLY GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE"