About Me
Hi, I’m Sofia, a Fashion design graduate from Kingston University.
Sofia Chen, a dynamic fashion designer, specialising in womenswear at Kingston University, blends her Hungarian-Chinese-Italian heritage with a global perspective. She started her Fashion studies in Milan in 2014. Her innate creativity and passion for design earned her the Best Portfolio Award at Fashion Graduate Italia in 2019.
The amalgamation of diverse cultural influences, renowned education, and exposure at Kingston has shaped me into a visionary designer who pushes boundaries and creates soulful fashion. My designs harmoniously blend tradition with contemporary flair, captivating audiences with a unique perspective fueled by my multicultural background. With a deep passion for womenswear design and a focus on the intricate production process, I strive to create garments that embody both the aesthetic and individuality of my customers.
INSPIRATION
My inspiration blossoms from my multicultural influences and the satirical nature of capitalism.
The wellspring of my inspiration comes from the conflict between capitalism and the ritualistic senses. In today’s society, trends and preferences often revolve around capitalist decisions, concealing the true essence of celebrations and traditions. I aspire to convey a profound return to the purest significance of these celebrations, acknowledging that capitalism permeates every aspect of our lives. Instead of being solely dictated by it, I would like to merge it with our own unique tastes.
My aim is to revive the purest celebration that arises when two cultures blend harmoniously. The Chinese-style celebration of my great-grandfather's 99th birthday, organised by my family, became a profound wellspring of inspiration. It remains the most extraordinary event I have experienced. Moreover, being born in Hungary, I feel a deep connection to the traditional Hungarian festivities and costumes. These celebrations strengthen my bond with family, heritage, and catalyse my artistic journey.
MY WORK
PORTFOLIOS
Spring/Summer 2023 Womenswear collection
Moodboard
Silhouette research
Color & Fabrication
Look 2 Development & 3D experiment
Look 2 Final design & Production
Look 2 Lookbook
Look 3 Development & 3D experiment
Look 3 Final design & Production
look 4 Development & 3D experiment
look 4 Final design & Production
Look 4 Creative specification
Look 3&4 Lookbook
Look 5 Development & 3D experiment
look 5 Final design & Production
Look 5 Creative specification
Look 5 Lookbook
Look 6 Final design & Production
Line-up
DETAIL
The collection captures feminine essence, blending drama and elegance with a clean aesthetic.
The rich cultural heritage motivated something within me, igniting a passionate desire to explore and embrace these traditions through my own creative lens. My designs embody a seamless fusion of innovation and elegance, showcasing a deep appreciation for the female form and a pursuit of perfection. Drawing inspiration from the captivating Hungarian costumes, renowned for their dramatic and exaggerated shapes like puffy sleeves and voluminous overlay gowns, I infuse these elements with the essence of Chinese architecture. The distinct protruding pointed edges found in Chinese architecture inspire me to create structured shapes that embody luxury, class, and clean lines. The timeless combination of black and white colours evokes sophistication and mystery, while the addition of symbolic red infuses an element of cultural fusion. To enhance the contemporary yet stunning appeal, I have selected lightweight fabrics such as nylon, taffeta, and organza to create an interplay between modernity and elegance.
“Individuality will always be one of the conditions of real elegance.”  – Christian Dior
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