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Slowly but surely, Vinora ready to compete in Woolmark Prize
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In a forthcoming project, Vinora Ng is set to release a new menswear collection, though she is keeping the details under wrap. (-/Ni Nyoman Wira)
T
he Jakarta Post recently talked to Vinora Ng, the designer and founder of VINORA, a luxurious ready-to-wear label for women and men, at her first store in Barito, South Jakarta.
In addition to her vision in creating a menswear collection, she spoke also of her involvement in the International Woolmark Prize 2016/2017 alongside fellow Indonesian designers Toton, Ari Seputra and Inneke Margarethe.
“I feel honored to be one of the representatives from Indonesia. It is not only about representing myself; the pressure is very high,” says Vinora.
On July 12, she will compete against designers from China, Japan, Hong Kong and Korea in the Menswear category of the International Woolmark Prize 2016/2017 Asia region. The winner will compete against winners from other regions such as US, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan and the Middle East in the international global final.
(Read also: Major Minor Maha nominated for International Woolmark Prize)
When she was in her 20s, Vinora gained the public's attention after reaching first place in the Lomba Perancang Mode 2009 fashion designer contest. She received cash and a three-month scholarship from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, US. However, designing under her own label and going international has always been her plan.
Her visit to Paris to present Womenswear Fall/Winter 2014/2015 helped her crystallize her strategy to go international.
“I plan to move slowly but surely,” she said. “For me, it's important to first build a solid structure from within. It’s just a different strategy.”
Vinora’s interest in art and fashion was influenced by her grandfather, an artist, and her parents, both fashion enthusiasts. In 2013, she made her way with her label VINORA when she launched the Womenswear Spring/Summer 2014/2015 collection. Unexpectedly, many requests came in asking her to create a menswear version of her creations. Although Vinora only produces menswear collections once a year, demand is almost equal to that for the biannual womenswear collections.
(Read also: Toton Januar: A fashion story)
“I don't claim that my womenswear collections are masculine; maybe they are adaptable as menswear,” said Vinora. “But I don't advise men to wear my womenswear collection because it has a different fit.”
There's always a deep meaning behind Vinora's works. In her latest Womenswear Spring 2016 collection, for which she uses adjustable and elastic fabrics, for example, she was inspired by her own difficulties in finding clothes adjustable to her size after losing weight. Also, the collection’s color was inspired by Pina Bausch, a German choreographer, to whom a biopic paid tribute in 2011.
As her forthcoming project, Vinora is set to release a new menswear collection, although she is keeping the details a secret.
“We will see whether it will be released once or twice a year,” she said.
She is also still preparing for the competition. “I usually use natural fabrics, one of which is wool,” she said. “People always think that wool is only for sweaters or winter, but I have the chance to explore different types of wool by competing in the International Woolmark Prize.” (kes)
