We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tong Tong a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Tong, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
To nurture my creativity, I maintain a sense of curiosity and sensitivity, constantly questioning the reasoning behind things. It involves allowing myself the freedom to play, experiment, and occasionally fail, rather than waiting for inspiration to strike. During the initial stages of garment design, I keep my sketches easy and loose to prevent becoming overwhelmed by details, enabling me to focus on refining the most promising ideas.
•The next part of the interview is where we’d love to learn more about you, your story and what you are focused on professionally – whether it’s a business, nonprofit, artistic career etc.
Please tell our readers about what you do, what you feel is most exciting or special about it, as well as anything else you’d like folks to know about your brand/art/etc.
If relevant, please also tell our readers about anything new (events, product/service launches, expansion, etc)
After earning my BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, I embarked on my fashion journey in the bustling metropolis of New York City. Inspired by an eclectic mix of influences, ranging from childhood memories to my passion for fashion history, I bring a unique blend of creativity and innovation to my designs. I delight in blending masculine and feminine elements, infusing functional features with whimsical touches to craft a distinctive aesthetic. By marrying tradition with avant-garde concepts, I strive to create captivating designs that challenge the norms of the fashion industry.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel pressure to achieve immediate results. However, I’ve found that allowing myself to progress incrementally has been key to my success. By consistently organizing my work and remaining prepared to present, I’ve been able to seize unexpected opportunities as they arise. Along the way, I’ve learned not to hesitate to ask for help when needed and to reach out to more experienced individuals without intimidation.
For beginners, I highly recommend actively engaging with others who share your interests. Whether it’s through discussions, networking events, or online communities, interacting with like-minded individuals can provide invaluable guidance and support. Personally, I’ve found that these connections have played a crucial role in my development, offering insights and encouragement that have propelled my growth in ways I never anticipated.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in? Why? Talk to us about why you feel this way and please share any relevant stories that might help us better understand your view.
Even if one possesses certain strengths, I firmly believe in the value of being well-rounded. Throughout our professional lives, we often find ourselves wearing various hats, and having a diverse skill set can greatly ease the navigation of different situations, particularly for aspiring entrepreneurs. This principle is especially pertinent in fashion design, given its interdisciplinary nature. Mastering skills across different domains, such as sketching, pattern making, construction techniques, and textile knowledge, is essential for success in this field. Additionally, soft skills like organizational and communication abilities are equally crucial, especially when conveying designs to stakeholders without design backgrounds, such as investors.
Moreover, dedicating effort to developing skills in complementary areas can enhance existing abilities and broaden career prospects. For instance, I’ve recently invested time in learning a software for digital pattern making with 3D simulation capabilities. While I already possess proficiency in manual pattern making, mastering this software enables me to work faster and more accurately. Furthermore, it opens up opportunities in virtual fashion, a growing field with promising future prospects. By continuously expanding my skill set, I’m better equipped to navigate the evolving landscape of fashion design and capitalize on emerging trends and technologies.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tongtong_9815/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/tongtong0410
Image Credits
Magic Feifei, Yuxian He, Brain Cheng
