Yun Qu is fashion designer and founder of Videmus Omnia, an artisan fashion brand based in New York City. Founded in 2016, Videmus Omnia represents one of the up-and-coming independent fashion brands. The New York based brand focuses on creating innovative, unconventional fashion while taking cues from modern art and music pioneers. The brand aims to design timeless wearable art garments with deconstructed silhouettes, infused with luxurious and intricate textiles.
The designer cares about the innovation of the design, the quality of tailoring and the interaction with the customers, as well has a different approach to fashion. She studied music at a young age and formed a rock band when she was in high school. She lived in China and Italy before she moves to New York. Because of her experience and background, she gradually developed a unique style.
#TSCOF is totally in love with Yun’s vision and had an exclusive talk with the designer, but before let’s reveal few highlights from her Spring/Summer 2019 collection.
VIDEMUS OMNIA SPRING/SUMMER 2019 – MISDIRECTION
Yun Qu revealed her second collection “Misdirection” for Spring/Summer 2019. The collection shows much about the personality of Videmus Omnia. It is bold, dramatic, expres- sive and innovative. Yun has a strong music background, she used to sing and play piano in a rock band. Her love for music inspired her style. Yun believes that the relationship be- tween music and fashion is becoming inter- twined. She dedicated to using fashion as a tangible art form to “write” music.
Misdirection is an experimental collection. The designer merges British Punk culture and Punk music as well as the famous Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama into the whole collection. The collection consists of fifteen looks, inspired by the punk music’s inner emotions and attitude, Yun contributes a conveyance of her spiritual and emotional state into the collection. She uses sophisticated materials, with a dramatic change of theme and colors to present the audience its unusual styles and brand’s atti- tude. She saturates the collection with ruffles, polka dots and odd constructions, which were influenced by Yayoi Kusama’s masterpieces to adjust Yun’s artistic expression.
A TALK WITH YUN QU, DESIGNER AND FOUNDER OF VIDEMUS OMNIA
TSCOF: How did your passion for design start and how your creative process work?
I always like to dress myself in unique clothes since I was young. My passion for design started when I was studying fashion design in Italy. I was so inspired by the way people dress there and I can feel how much they love art.
I study music since I was five years old. I play piano, drums and guitar. I used to be in a rock band. Because of my background, I see music as part of the art form, and my creative process usually start with music. I see myself more like a musician than an artist or a designer. Instead of getting inspiration from visual objects, I often get inspired by the sound and feeling of certain music.
TSCOF: How fashion nowadays helps and motivate you to become a fashion designer?
In my opinion, the fashion nowadays are not as creative as it used to be. The fashion before the 2000s were much more artistic and innovative. Many designers just keep repeating what other designers used to do. The fashion industry today is creative on the material and high tech side. I’m not really motivated by the fashion today. I don’t like to follow any trend or styles. However, this frustration motivated me to be a better designer and create my own unique concept in style.
TSCOF: Can you tell us a little bit about your references for the last collection?
Videmus Omnia SS2019 Collection Misdirection is an experimental collection. I merged British Punk culture and Punk music as well as Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama into the whole collection. The collection was inspired by the punk music’s inner emotions and attitude, I contributed a conveyance of my spiritual and emotional state into the collection. I used lots of bold fabric and odd constructions in this collection.
TSCOF: Are you sick of people talking about millennials? Do you see yourself as a designer for young people, a new generation?
I’m also a millennial myself. I think that millennials are playing very important roles in the fashion industry. Also, Millennials are the important customers that buy lots of luxury and designer brands. I see myself as a designer for not just young people, but as a designer who designs artisan garments for people who dress unique to express themselves at all ages.
TSCOF: How fashion competitions can change the business industry? Will you apply at some in the future?
Fashion competition is a way to help young designers to start their own business. It also helps the young brands gain recognition and some reputation from the audiences. I will apply some competition in the future.
TSCOF: How do you want people to feel when they wear your clothes?
I want my customers to feel confident, unique, and also comfort when they wear my clothes.
TSCOF: What do you think it’s your best-selling piece from your last collection?
I don’t have best selling piece yet. The SS2019 collection is one of a kind Haute Couture collection. At the beginning stage, I want to focus on quality and innovation of each clothes rather than producing each design in large quantity. I also like the idea of doing one of a kind clothes to offer the customers exclusivity. However, Haute Couture is very expensive for majority of the people. I will release my first Ready To Wear collection later this year with lower price point so that the people who like my brand and style will be able to afford my clothes.
TSCOF: What do you think about the opportunity of selling your products on online platforms, you think it might be a good showcase for your work and your future?
I started selling my clothes on two online platforms. It is a good chance to showcase my work. People around the world will be able to see what my brand is doing. However, it will be very hard to sell in the beginning. I noticed that the customers prefer to see a new brand that has extremely high price point in person and decided if they would like to purchase. It is also important to put the clothes in local boutiques.
TSCOF: What young designers need right now from fashion industry to grow up?
Young designers need experience and patience. It will take many years for a brand to grow. Many young designers give up their businesses in the first few years. We need to believe in ourselves.
TSCOF: Last song played on your Spotify/iTunes playlist? Who is your favorite artist right now and would you like to see him/her dressed in your collections ?
Ghost Opera from Kamelot. One of my favorite singer right now is Taylor Momsen from The Pretty Reckless. I would like to see her dressed in my collections.
TSCOF: List us three favorite designers / icons who inspire you.
– Marilyn Manson
– Pablo Picasso
– Marion Cotillard
NYFW RUNWAY HIGHLIGHTS VIDEMUS OMNIA SPRING/SUMMER 2019 – MISDIRECTION
KREEP. 