"She may be young, but Beijing-based fashion designer Liu Lu has quickly made waves in the Chinese fashion world since completing her studies at New York's Parsons School of Design in 2006. Launching her own labels after returning to the Chinese capital - first the eponymous Lu12.28 then, more recently, Luvon - Liu Lu's designs, with equal inspiration from New York and Beijing, look to highlight a Chinese sense of beauty, aimed at the modern and cosmopolitan Chinese woman". Via Jing Daily.
Can you tell us about your new collection? What fabrics have you used and what kind of silhouette are you presenting?
You've said that you want to investigate the increasing popularity of the ernai, or mistress, in Chinese society. are they the people you're designing for?
I think that's the impression people have got from the Lolita collection. This season we wanted to tell young women to hold on to that feeling of purity and not to lose their sense of individuality, to not act like a doll for someone else.
Working with Quentin Shih, I hoped to use powerful imagery to reach people. Our mission is to present a new feminine attitude, a new social responsibility. This season's collection is also an attempt to reveal certain unsavoury aspects of society to young women.
In a press statement you announced that you aren't satisfied with creating 'visually striking works'. The clothes in the new collection appear to be very delicate. are you trying to subvert the traditional ideas of the Chinese woman?
Rather than taking flashy photos, we're about looking closer at people and society. I hope that the women who like LUVON by LIULU also appreciate the ideas we're promoting and are not just interested in appearances.
The campaign definitely puts the spotlight on a darker side of society. Are you concerned that bringing up such a taboo issue will inspire criticism, or cause people to shun the clothes for fear of being associated with it?
This season, we wanted to focus on the Chinese Lolita in a precautionary way. To encourage young Chinese women to hold onto their youth and not to let go of their freedom, or become someone else's plaything. I think that any woman who likes LUVON by LIULU already has those values and understands what's good and what's bad. They live by their ideas and set an example.
How important is the story or concept in a collection? Do you always begin a collection with characters in mind?
LUVON by LIULU's flirtatious, metropolitan style is already there, that's what it was based upon. We hope that every season we can bring out new stories and inspiration and encourage people to cherish and question society.
How did you and Quentin Shih work together on the campaign images?
Quentin and I both believe that fashion is now in an area which is open to discourse, and that it doesn't exist purely within clothing. In order to bring in a new era of designer and photographer, fashion has to act as a communication tool, where cultural ideas can be passed on, an artform that expresses the current state of society. That was our intention with this project.
Any other exciting plans or collaborations for 2012?
The campaign images for each LUVON by LIU LU collection is always a big project with a strong point of view. All I can say is that the vibe of the autumn/winter collection is darkness and light（yin yang- Chinese feng shui). You'll have to wait and see!
