After ten years working as a jobbing fashion designer, Charlotte Ng decided it was time to change. YDC gave her the impetus to make that big jump and launch her own label.
Hong Kong Polytechnic University graduate Charlotte Ng graduated at a time when the economy was taking a downturn and she was just happy to be able to find a job. Over the next ten years, she worked as a designer for various trading companies, creating samples to sell to international clients.
“I got to a point where I was very frustrated. My designs were not really hitting the market because the end products were always very different from the original designs. I began to ponder a serious career move,” she said.
Charlotte had wanted to join the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers’ Contest (YDC) every year prior to 2018, but her busy work schedule had prevented it. When Ng began considering launching her own label, she finally took the plunge as the first step towards realising her dream.
“YDC is the biggest and most established fashion competition in Hong Kong with real links to the industry. I thought it would help me get the right exposure and networking opportunities if I could win.”
And win she did. Ng was the second runner-up and won Best Footwear Design Award sponsored by i.t apparels. She will launch her footwear design at the renowned retailer later in the year.
“Winning these awards was definitely a confidence boost, and the crossover project with i.t will give me the media exposure I need when launching my label.”
Ng’s YDC winning entry is entitled “Everything in Its Right Place”, after the Radiohead song of the same name. It’s a collection that reflects her frame of mind as a fashion designer. It is about breaking through at your own pace since everyone has their own rhythm in life. The multi-layers and accessories create fluid movements with every single stride, which is both symbolic and visually pleasing.
The first collection from CHARLOTTE NG STUDIO will launch this May. It will initially be sold online and Ng considers to participate in the trade shows in September.
“It will be for people who love to mix and match and play around with accessories and layering. I will be paying particular attention to workmanship and the choice of fabrics. Hopefully I’ve had enough commercial experience to know what works and what doesn’t for the market.”
