Brandon Sun @ New York Fashion Week SS13

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By: Elizabeth Entin from Runway Passport

Brandon Sun began his fashion career after graduating from Parsons School of Design where he was honored with the coveted “Designer of the Year” title and the Gold Thimble. He won the National Scholarship from both the CFDA and the YMA and held internships with Jeffrey Chow and Calvin Klein. After his graduation, Brandon began working with two of the most distinguished American luxury brands: J.Mendel and Oscar de la Renta. In February 2011, Brandon Sun began to carve his own world by launching a signature collection of luxury fur accessories with distinguished international retailers such as Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, BoontheShop, Savannah, Hirshleifers, and others. In February 2012, Brandon Sun presented a collection of ready-to-wear and fur during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, introducing his vision for an insouciant sense of style. FMW exclusively interviews Brandon Sun covered by Elizabeth Entin from Runway Passport on his latest Spring Summer collection showcased at New York Fashion Week.

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR THE COLLECTION?
This SS13 collection was all about conveying a sense of insouciant attitude during spring. It was a exploration of softer clothes, but with an edge. As usual, I played with juxtaposing various materials and developed specials textiles that had incredible touch, such as the American Legend Mink, Sakae Laces, and Techno Raffia. There’s so much happening all around us that it was hard to pin down a specific inspiration so I chose to reference a poem by the zen philosopher, Daistez Suzuki, suggesting that all things are because they are so. hahaha. I know its a bit esoteric, but it has relevance in my approach to everything.

WHEN AND WHY DID YOU REALIZE YOU WANTED TO BE A FASHION DESIGNER?

Ever since I began keeping sketch books, I’ve drawn clothing. Even though growing up, no one clued me in on fashion being an actual profession, I made clothes for my action figures (not dolls) out of tissues and then I’d play out some action sequence. I was either going to be a fashion designer or the next Jet Li. Somehow, as I tried different things through college, I rediscovered fashion a la Tom Ford and Gucci/YSL and the rest just came together.

WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING PART OF BEING A DESIGNER?
It’s definitely not for the glamour! hahaha. No, I think the best part of being a designer is seeing the struggle for creation come to fruition. It all starts with a seed of thought and through lots and lots and lots of diligence, persistence, and frustration a collection comes together. The moment it happens and you see it for the first time as one complete statement, the world stops for a few seconds and that is a wonderful moment.

HOW HAVE YOU CHANGED AND GROWN SINCE YOUR FIRST COLLECTION?
Oh man, how haven’t I changed? It’s hard to realize how much I undergo as a person on a day to day basis. But, looking back a year ago, I had no idea how to get here, only the instinct to move forward. I guess the most important lesson has been to trust myself and vision.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE SO FAR?
I think the biggest challenge is always to stay focused on Brandon Sun. Not me, but the vision of the brand that we’re building. There’s so much going on in the world its hard to remain unaffected. So I am learning to be sympathetic while not losing myself in the moment because fashion is a very emotional thing to create!

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Photographer: Mark Luebbers

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