Vivienne Tam Clothing Views
Tam's clothing brand is named after her and is inspired by Chinese design and modern fashion. The theme of first collection was EAST WIND CODE. Her shops can be found in most major cities around the world. She authored China Chic, a book on Chinese style. She has worked with Hewlett Packard on a special Vivienne Tam range of designer netbook computers, such as a version of the HP Mini 1000 and the HP Mini 210. Tam also appeared on Stardoll.com where she has her own suite and brand name. She has also designed dresses for the characters in the Animax movie LaMB.
As a true vintage clothing enthusiast, it’s no huge surprise that I was pleased with Vivienne Tam’s 2011 Fall/Winter collection, unveiled at this week’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. In the same way as Vivienne Tam stated how her collection was “a balanced of new and old, ancient and modern”, I recognized certain vintage elements in this undoubtedly 21st century fashion lineup. 1920’s fashion trends like coruscating jet black beaded fringe, draped back details, and a strong vampy black and red color scheme (can anyone say Betty Boop?) made a nearly 100 year-old comeback as striking models (hair swept elegantly into topknots and high buns) sashayed down the runway.
By combining culture, classic style, and an offbeat flair to her fashion design, Vivienne Tam has become one of the 21st centuryc#x0027;s most unusual and successful contemporary designers. The key to her achievement is her ability to design with an eye for East meets West, an inspiration that comes from her current home, New York City, and her childhood home, Hong Kong. Bringing these cultural inspirations together in her designs, she is able to design clothing of traditional elements with a modern edge. Her collections are perceived with the idea that each person #x0027;s personality will bring out different aspects from within each design.
Tam #x0027;s success was preceded by a childhood of turmoil in China. In an effort to find a better life after the 1949 revolution and to rid themselves of the Communist political system, the Tam family moved to Hong Kong. At first, Tam stayed behind with her grandparents, but soon relocated to Hong Kong to be with her parents. She entered a Catholic school, where she became Vivienne Tam instead of her birth name, Yin Yok Tam. At age eight, she learned to sew by watching her parents stitch clothing. She remained with her parents until 1982, when she moved to New York. There, she hawked her designs from a duffel bag to Henri Bendel and a couple of the cityA#x0027;s shops.
Vivienne Tam Clothing Images
