Canadian Designer Series: Sunny Fong
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Sunday May 3, 2009
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ChickAdvisor:
You said in one of the episodes that if you didn't win Project Runway you would give up fashion. Were you serious and why?
Sunny Fong:
Ya, I was serious. I put my line on hold because I couldn't afford it and if I don't have any funds I can't do it. The show was going to help me decide if I could continue it so I was serious about that and even if I didn't win I don't think I would be able to afford to continue.
ChickAdvisor:
How much does it cost to launch a collection?
Sunny Fong:
It's hard to judge. With Project Runway we only had $8000 to put together a collection, but with a new designer you have to start everything from the beginning as a business. It's not just the collection, it's the business aspects plus the collection. The $100K from the competition is a good seed amount.


ChickAdvisor:
At any point did you know you would win?
Sunny Fong:
I sort of went with the feeling that I really want to win, but I really don't hold my breath. After a few challenges I realized anything can happen. Don't hold your breath just hope for the best!
ChickAdvisor:
Who did you feel was your toughest competition?
Sunny Fong:
Jessica. Because she's young and she had a lot of ideas that she wants to do and I've seen some of her work and I'm like, 'Oh Jessica please don't pull it out!' I was amazed at some of the stuff she put together.
ChickAdvisor:
Could you see yourself collaborating in the future with any of the contestants from Project Runway?
Sunny Fong:
No, I'd like to stay friends with them but I don't see us collaborating. The friendship part is far more important to me and that's where I see myself and the other designers. I love them.

ChickAdvisor:
So let's switch gears here for a little bit. How did you go from film school graduate to designer?
Sunny Fong:
Fashion was the hobby on the side but film was something I couldn't teach myself on my own. I love fashion but I love film as well. Having gone through the process of film making, it takes too long. I've always dabbled in fashion and when I finished film school I taught myself fashion and started my own line. I taught myself everything I needed to know. That was sort of my tuition. And then spending more time learning about it again.
ChickAdvisor:
You really have no formal training?
Sunny Fong:
That's right. I'm totally self taught.
ChickAdvisor:
Wow, that's unbelievable! So who are some designers that have inspired you?
Sunny Fong:
There are a whole bunch that inspire me to get to that level. I love the sexiness of Cavalli the humour of McQueen, the elegance of Valentino... a little bit of everybody.
ChickAdvisor:
Like those designers you mentioned, we understand you also have plans for International domination?
Sunny Fong:
My plan right now is to dominate Canada first and establish a foundation here. If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere because Canada is hard, probably the hardest. But I love Canada and for me it's one of those personal challenges.
ChickAdvisor:
We have no doubt you will succeed! Do you have any advice for fledgling designers?
Sunny Fong:
Designers need to sort of trust their creative instinct. Don't question it, go with the flow to generate more ideas. After the initial 3 or 4 challenges, I questioned everything I did and always ended up with the original one. I then realized I should just go with my gut and make it better.
In terms of getting into business, really look into the business aspect of it because that's really important. I need to find someone who is strong in that world so I can focus on the creative part.
ChickAdvisor:
So where can we get our hands on VAWK?
Sunny Fong:
That is in the air. It's in the planning stages right now.
ChickAdvisor:
What can we expect from you next?
Sunny Fong:
Stay tuned! When I say comeback, I mean come back!

www.vawk.ca
By: Ali de Bold
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