Videmus Omnia is an artisan fashion brand based in New York City. Founded in 2016 by Chinese fashion designer Yun Qu.
Music and fashion have been closely intertwined for most of the 20th and 21st centuries. The grunge stylings of the 1990s are forever synonymous with the music of Nirvana whilst the flapper dresses of 1920’s New York evoke a vibrant vision of a live Jazz band. These powerful connections between clothing and music form the basis for the designs of Videmus Omnia (We see everything) by designer Yun Qu. This is especially true of her latest AW2021 collection “The Wanderer”.
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.
Videmus Omnia is originated from Latin. It means We See Everything.
Videmus Omnia breaks with traditional garment construction exploring new ways to dress people. As the designer, Yun tried to break the stereotypical method of developing a collection. Different from other young designer’s brand, the designer doesn’t follow a commercial or classic route. She designs for the women who genuinely want to dress unique and artistic, but also care about the quality and tailoring of the garments.
A CONVERSATION WITH YUN QU, FOUNDER OF VIDEMUS OMNIA
How did your passion for design start and how your creative process work?
My passion for design began when I was studying fashion in Italy. I was inspired by everything there, the food, the architecture, the history, the musicians on the street, and the way people dress. I noticed that Italians have distinguished fashion styles. They are proud of their brands and craftsmanships. That was when I knew I want to be a skillful fashion designer.
My creative process starts with music. I play different instruments since I was young, thus the music notes, the rhythm, and the structure of a musical piece are very important to me. It is difficult to explain my process in comprehensive vocabularies. I usually start the design process by listening to different genres of music and determine which ones I would use for the next collection. When I listen to the music pieces, I generate certain feelings based on how the music is constructed. I analyzed how the music is composed and what sequences are used, and I sketch out whatever I can feel or whatever I “see” in my head.
How fashion industry helped and motivated you to become designer?
I decided to become a fashion designer because I like designing. I don’t necessarily like this industry that much. Sometimes the industry can be intimidating. The never-ending seasons and wastes that the fashion industry produces can be discouraging. It’s the audiences and customers that have helped and motivated me to continue my journeys as a designer. I feel motivated whenever I see the customers’ joyful faces when they wear my clothes and appreciate the craftsmanship. That has encouraged me to keep producing quality designs.
Can you tell us a little bit about your references for your new collection?
The collection set its sights on the interwar Parisian jazz scene. Considering the fusion of music and fashion I reimagine the expressive, elegant, and bold outfits worn by the Parisian women of the Années Folles. I was inspired by Jazz and the city of Paris. I design this collection for women who love the Parisian styles.
Do you see yourself as an example for the new generation in art industry?
Maybe. I am a fashion designer, but I don’t think I’m good enough to be an excellent example for the new generation yet. I might be able to design different styles and play with intricate constructions. I need to acquire more distinguished skills as a designer in order to call myself an excellent example.
Can you describe your client’s personality in few words?
Confident, dramatic, unique, artistic, women with attitudes.
What do you think it’s your best-selling piece?
The black Multi ruffled cropped jacket. It was handmade in my studio in New York. We only made a couple of pieces and it was sold out in the store. We might be producing the same jacket again with different materials in the future.
How do you think virtual shows will change the fashion industry?
Tech trends are shaping the fashion industry. Virtual shows allow continuous engagement between brands, designers, and consumers. It pushes brands and designers to conduct sustainable business, engage audiences in creative ways. I think virtual shows will bring massive outreach to different audiences around the world. We as designers can play around with the new technology, bring limitless possibilities to present the show, and exhibit pioneering experiences for the audience. I believe in the future it will be common to see virtual shows with digital clothing and digital supermodels. Young brands and independent designers will benefit from this drastic change with their vibrant creativities.
What do you think about the opportunity of selling your products on online platforms, you think it might be a good showcase for your brand?
Selling my products on online platforms will be a good opportunity to showcase the brand. It will increase outreach, generate bigger revenue, and promote to a larger clientele. I am currently searching for good online platforms to work with. We are also working on building up our e-commerce store so that the customers can buy our collections around the world, based on their shopping habits and preferences.
What does fashion industry needs more to grow up and what can be done better for this?
The fashion industry needs more sustainable solutions. It can pushes brands to engage and embrace new technologies and provide innovative shopping experiences to the customers. We don’t require brands to release multiple seasons each year. There has to be a better solution to present the new collections and new designs in efficient and sustainable ways. We can release digital collections to avoid fabric wastes, and produce limited pieces based on buyers’ and customers’ demands.
What is the long term goal for VIDEMUS OMNIA and what is the main mission?
Our long-term goals are to expand our customer base worldwide, generate greater revenue and increase overall brand awareness. Our main mission is to collaborate with different creatives and companies and engage technology in the new designs. We want to change the way people dress in the future and bring convenience to people’s everyday lives.
What are the most interesting social platforms that you follow in order to be informed more about your potential buyers/clients?
Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest.
Can you tell us what is the next step or project for your label right now?
We just started to design for the SS2021 collection. We are also working on launching our E-commerce platform as well.
Videmus Omnia Releases their debut Ready-to-Wear Collection inspired by the parisian Années Folles
Music and fashion have been closely intertwined for most of the 20th and 21st centuries. The grunge stylings of the 1990s are forever synonymous with the music of Nirvana whilst the flapper dresses of 1920’s New York evoke a vibrant vision of a live Jazz band. These powerful connections between clothing and music form the basis for the designs of Videmus Omnia (We see everything) by designer Yun Qu. This is especially true of her latest AW2021 collection “The Wanderer”.
Yun Qu’s passion for fashion is matched only by her enduring love of music. A trained musician, she plays piano, electric guitar and drums, and whilst in High School played in a rock band. While her earlier AW2019 collection, “Enigma”, explored the music and fashion possibilities of a 21st century grunge, her AW2021 collection set it sights on the interwar Parisian jazz scene. Considering the fusion of music and fashion Yun reimagines the expressive, elegant a bold outfits worn by the Parisian women of the Années Folles. Women like dancer Josephine Baker, who would spend her days drinking coffee in Montmartre, and her nights dancing at the Folies-Bergere. Yun captures the sense of movement and emotion evoked by jazz; from the up-tempo heart thumping thrills to the low-tempo graceful sway. Using metallic colours, exaggerated sleeves, fringing and frills, Yun has created pieces that evoke the artistry and sculptural elegance of the period whilst feeling thoroughly modern. Puff sleeves, patterned knitwear, bows, polka dots and harlequin prints are all drawn into the maelstrom of Yun’s reimagined Parisian Jazz scene. A structured lace bodice dress grants the wearer the musical sensuality of the era, while a knitted dress underscores the feminine freedoms rediscovered in the 1920s. Yun’s expansive silhouettes are matched only by her broad palette of textures and materials. Coloured metallics mirror the Parisian avant-garde’s fascination with the machine age, exaggerated frills conjure a vision of the bustling cabaret and knitwear reinforces the era’s shift away from restrictive corsets and unruly crinolines.
Yun captures the essence and spirit of the Années Folles when women began to discover the path to political, economic and sexual liberation. Reimagining the golden age of style and grace in and the dawn of the modern era of female liberation, she distills a moment in history pregnant with possibility into an exciting and beautiful collection that empowers the 21st century wearer.
An advocate for slow fashion items made with care and love, Yun’s AW2021 collection embrace classic construction techniques that produce beautiful, long lasting apparel. The classic and timeless designs, produced with the finest quality materials engage with the movement for clothing that translates across multiple seasons.
In 2016, after Yun graduated in 2016 from Fashion Institute of Technology, she started her artisanal avant-garde brand Videmus Omnia. The brand has been producing Couture collection for the last two years before taking a brief break to develop the ready to wear collection.
Videmus Omnia AW2021 Ready To Wear
Pre-order for customers coming soon on the website.
Buyers can order at @imonishowroomparis
* All images: Courtesy of Videmus Omnia
Photographer: @pmphotographynyc
Model: @anna_eberg
MUA/Hair: @catcam__
KREEP. 