Lulu Tan-Gan's cherished knitwear enterprise, TAN-GAN, underwent a critical development at the beginning of this year. It transformed from a commercial designer label to a full-fledged designer house brand, further establishing itself as our country's premier source of stylish, tropical-weight knitwear.
Lulu, the Philippines' gorgeous and beloved Queen of Knits, remains as the house's Creative Director, and she took under her fabulous wings the equally gorgeous, talented, and fabulous Solenn Heussaff to become the brand's House Designer. “Solenn has a substantial design sense, which is universal,” Lulu says about her creative successor. “She is quick to understand the technical weaknesses and strengths of materials, which is a strong basic skill needed by designers.“
In keeping with TAN-GAN's design identity, Lulu further explains that Solenn “has maintained the house's signature look of easy chic, timeless and travel-friendly knit dressing [while] adding on her cutting-edge freshness.” Indeed, this is apparent in the summer collection she has just recently designed for the brand.
TAN-GAN knit staples in classic silhouettes are given an edgy, contemporary verve in Solenn's L'Amour Armor Collection. Consisting of ingenious, unexpected accessories such as waist vests, oversized epaulettes, corset and waist pieces, L'Amour Armor beats an aggressive verve into the TAN-GAN brand. Very now, and classically edgy with a big dash of punk and rock 'n' roll, Solenn Heussaff's summer collection is sure to reinvigorate a whole lot more than just the TAN-GAN brand.
WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO BECOME A DESIGNER?
I've always loved fashion and both my grandmothers were seamstresses and I've always been into the arts so I decided to just go for it.
HOW DID YOU START AS A DESIGNER?
After studying at Le Studio Berçot de Paris, I interned with a wedding gown designer in Paris named Fanny Liautard. But I was missing home so decided to come back for a short vacation. I wasn't sure yet what I was going to do. Then I called Lulu Tan-Gan and asked if I could intern with her for 2 months, and she decided to hire me. ;-)
WHERE DID YOU RECEIVE YOUR FASHION TRAINING?
Le Studio Berçot de Paris, a small school in the 10th arrondissement of Paris. They teach everything the "old school" way, so everything you do is very hands-on. I had to learn how to do felt, knit, crochet, paint on clothes, etc.
WHAT IS YOUR DESIGN PHILOSOPHY?
Comfy and classy but not classic.
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION?
From everything around me, books, objects and the interesting people I encounter.
WHICH DESIGNERS/ARTISTS DO YOU ADMIRE MOST?
I think everyone has their own way of seeing fashion and art, but not everyone can have the same taste. So I'll never say I can truly hate a certain brand or whatnot. But the designers who are more my style and whom I have high respect for are Viktor & Rolf (for their construction), Alexander McQueen (he was just a genius), Stella McCartney and Marc Jacobs.
WHO DO YOU THINK IS THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF TIMELESS STYLE?
Coco Chanel.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE AS A DESIGNER?
To renew yourself all the time and make sure you please as many people as possible. Sometimes you have to design more for others than yourself. For example, some of my designs don't suit my personal style but I know they will suit others so I do it for them.
WHICH ASPECT OF THE DESIGN PROCESS DO YOU ENJOY MOST?
Sketching and draping are my two most favorite. But hand-sewing is very calming as well.
WHAT'S THE BEST CLOTHING ITEM/ACCESSORY WOMEN/MEN SHOULD HAVE?
Everyone should own a statement piece so that whenever you are wearing something simple you can bring it to life.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GARMENT OR FASHION ACCESSORY?
Bangles.
ANY CURRENT TRENDS THAT YOU'RE FOND OF? ANY CURRENT OBSESSIONS?
I like the wedge heel. I've bought 3 pairs this month. Haha!
HOW HAVE YOU EVOLVED AS A DESIGNER?
I evolve everyday and will have to do so for the next years in my life. You can never stop learning. I'm definitely more mature in the thought process of my designs because I've been learning new things and incorporating it into my work. I can only get better and work harder for it.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR CAREER?
I'm proud of everything I do because I put all my soul into it but I don't think I've worked in the industry long enough to properly answer this question.
WHAT IS THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT YOU HAVE RECEIVED ABOUT YOUR WORK?
There are a lot of people on Twitter that send me compliments about how I'm so inspiring to them and that they love my work ethic and want to grow up to be like me. I get so excited and happy and touched and overwhelmed and can't believe it every time!
ASPIRATIONS FOR THE BRAND IN THE FUTURE?
I would like to develop more products and expand into other materials (still keeping knit the dominant one) and go for export. ;-)
HOW DO YOU UNWIND?
I go to the gym everyday with a trainer and go pole dancing at times. Still have to master that though haha!
FAVORITE SHOPPING AND TRAVEL DESTINATIONS?
Shopping would have to be Thailand and Hong Kong. I always love going to Paris to enjoy the fashion as well as the food!
WHAT MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO? FILMS YOU WATCH? BOOKS YOU READ?
I love old school hip-hop, it makes me feel alive! I also love anything that's acoustic for my more relaxed days.
I'm in the movie theater almost every week. I love watching movies especially action and drama ones. Yup, the two opposites! Haha.
I haven't read many books only because I tend to fall asleep every four pages. I try, though, but it always happens. I'm learning, though!
OTHER PASTIMES, PASSIONS, INTERESTS ASIDE FROM FASHION?
I love to paint. I have been doing it since I was at a young age. I'm planning my own exhibit soon and will be doing portraits of controversial personalities in the Philippines.
WHAT OTHER TALENT WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO HAVE?
I'd love to know how to play the guitar.
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE PHILIPPINE FASHION INDUSTRY NEEDS MOST IN ORDER TO FLOURISH?
Nicer selection in materials. We have the talent, and we have the crafts. We just need a little extra push.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR ASPIRING DESIGNERS?
Always go for what you want and don't let anyone put you down—but accept and embrace criticism. There's really no secret to being successful; as long as you have dedication and you work hard, you can get anything you desire.
I go to the gym everyday with a trainer and go pole dancing at times. Still have to master that though haha!
FAVORITE SHOPPING AND TRAVEL DESTINATIONS?
Shopping would have to be Thailand and Hong Kong. I always love going to Paris to enjoy the fashion as well as the food!
WHAT MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO? FILMS YOU WATCH? BOOKS YOU READ?
I love old school hip-hop, it makes me feel alive! I also love anything that's acoustic for my more relaxed days.
I'm in the movie theater almost every week. I love watching movies especially action and drama ones. Yup, the two opposites! Haha.
I haven't read many books only because I tend to fall asleep every four pages. I try, though, but it always happens. I'm learning, though!
OTHER PASTIMES, PASSIONS, INTERESTS ASIDE FROM FASHION?
I love to paint. I have been doing it since I was at a young age. I'm planning my own exhibit soon and will be doing portraits of controversial personalities in the Philippines.
WHAT OTHER TALENT WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO HAVE?
I'd love to know how to play the guitar.
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE PHILIPPINE FASHION INDUSTRY NEEDS MOST IN ORDER TO FLOURISH?
Nicer selection in materials. We have the talent, and we have the crafts. We just need a little extra push.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR ASPIRING DESIGNERS?
Always go for what you want and don't let anyone put you down—but accept and embrace criticism. There's really no secret to being successful; as long as you have dedication and you work hard, you can get anything you desire.
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