Valentina Lin

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Valentina Lin ("VL") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.

DL: Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

VL : I went to college at age 16. I love painting, I never intend to choose Fashion Design as my major – but I did anyway, and I never designing clothes ever in my life. Ever since I saw Lady Gaga wearing the iconic Meat Dress, I start to design. My dream is to have one of my garments worn by Lady Gaga.

DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

VL : As I said before, Lady Gaga is my inspiration. She inspires me to become a Fashion Designer. I imagine everyday that someday she’ll wear one of my garments and that what motivates me to do better and better.

DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

VL : I choose to.

DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

VL : Gothic style, but people today rarely wore one of those. So maybe, Monochrome? And a little bit abstract. I hate simplicity.

DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

VL : I can’t be called a Design Legend yet. I’m still fresh and I’m still learning. But my advice is, don’t let your target market control you. It doesn’t mean you control them, but I want you to be yourself. Don’t lose your characteristic in your creation. Do what you like to do.

DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

VL : Good Designer is good design, Great Designer is about quality.

DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

VL : Quality. Choose good fabrics, good stitching, and have your characteristic in them.

DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

VL : Haute Couture gown for Lady Gaga.

DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?

VL : Haute Couture gown for Lady Gaga…? Haha.

DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

VL : Something simple will look more luxurious with good fabric and good stitching. So I'll go with quality.

DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

VL : Alexander McQueen and Gareth Pugh

DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

VL : Armadillo shoes by Alexander McQueen. Those are brilliant.

DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

VL : A Painter or a photographer.

DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?

VL : Infinite Creativity.

DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

VL : My family, especially my father.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

VL : My boss when I was an intern. She taught me a lot of things learned from work experience, which I haven’t experienced yet.

DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?

VL : I want my creation to be recognized. I want to have my own unique characteristic, for example like when people look at some garments, they will immediately realized that it was my design.

DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

VL : Bring Romantic era back!

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

VL : Infinite Creativity.

DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

VL : It depends on people’s perception. For me, nowadays trends set the design. For example Lace is the trend of the year, everything on the runway will all based on lace. It’s so boring. I think people should think outside the box, like try different garment except for lace. It would be recognized easily, right?

DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

VL : Photoshop, Illustrator, Wacom, Sketchbook, and some coloring tools.

DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

VL : What is the inspiration and what techniques the designer uses.

DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?

VL : Fashionpedia.

DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

VL : Alexander McQueen! I want to know his perspective of the fashion world.

DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

VL : My favorite color is Black, my favorite place are Coffee shop and my workshop, my favorite season is Winter, and my favorite brand is Alexander McQueen and Valentino.

DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

VL : I usually listen to music when I want to get into the zone. I usually do a little sketch or make notes when the ideas are coming. What motivates me that I keep imagining the finished design of mine. It is the best feeling if it turns out good and people are praising my design.

DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

VL : It was not obvious. My dream was to be a professional painter, but now I’m stuck in the design world… Clothes are my canvas now and I want to try to paint on the dress.

DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

VL : Something very simple with new kind of fabrics. Simplicity is not my thing and now I’m trying to make my creation as artistic as possible before that era comes, haha.

DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

VL : I have a simple advice. Whatever you design, don’t limit yourself.