Tony Ta
Internship: Loewe
Tony_ta@live.nl, instagram.com/tonyta_, instagram.com/Marcos_kabk
As a menswear designer, one has to adapt to fit this world’s status quo. I use fashion to explore and visualise the effects of an advancing modern technology - for example the culture of self representation on social media. Being an active user of Instagram, mainly as an observer, I meticulously witness the activity on the platform.
Clothing is a perfect attribute in modern contact, because of its direct relationship with the body and in turn, the self. What we see immediately creates a first impression with anyone we come in contact with.
Online identity is simply performance. What we choose to wear and how we show ourselves online is all a calculated choice. There is a freedom to be whoever we want to be, fitting any given situation. It’s an exploration of the many facets of the self. Through fashion comes such freedom.
Biggest Thanks to my Graphic designer: Marcos Kueh
GRADUATION PROJECT
Dream a Little of me
Childhood memories are what triggered the research I did for the collection - these are the recollections of personal experiences. The early loss of a parental figure has urged me to grow up faster.
With this sudden change, I learned to consciously adjust myself to situations - something I observed within myself and also see in fellow members of generation Z. This tendency is not caused by the loss of a parent, not even metaphorically. It developed over time, fuelled by the omnipresence of the social media in their growing-up. These social feeds are very infuential in crucial moments in their development. Somehow, the screens have taken over parts of the role of the caretaker in their life.
The inspiration of the collection started from observing social media behaviour of teenagers. They present themselves to the outside world in a very mature way. Way more mature than previously destined for teenagers due to the over-sexualised media culture.
Their idols portray an ideal look on social media - these influencers became godlike.
In the 1920’s, something reminiscent happened. Stephen Tennant from the bright young things which was a socialite with similar powers to impress and influence people. He has become a part of the inspiration for the collection.
Stephen Tennant dressed in a rich, elegant and flamboyant way - it inspired the choice of delicate, luxurious and sensual materials that are present in the collection. Classical ways of dressing form the base of the collection - exceptional layers are added: a fully beaded vest, a classic suit embroidered with feathers. A free mentality in design - a childlike approach to shape and embellishment - defines the collection.
This collection wouldnt exist without the help of many Special Thanks to my family and everybody throughout the years
Amazing models : Jan dijkhuis Dylan Kraayenhagen Timo Tiffert Abe Wientjes Obbe van der Weide Daan Morkin Max Heuvelman Rafael van houte Luc Venhuizen Olivier van der Mark and every other fitting model (stijn/Karl) etc.
Special Thanks to my team. Heidi Dai Marcos Kueh Eva Dimopoulou Hailey Kim Hee eun Kim Vincent wong Trumaine Huijts Larissa schepers Louise hoving Lina Lau Angelica Danaka Jiahao li Soyoung Park Hyewon Jeong Yuki Ito and many more.
