Runway Radar: Ruby Tsai draws from her Taiwanese roots for modern, pattern-heavy menswear

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      By Natalia Santana

      Ruby Tsai uses fashion as a form of expression, combining surface design with her Taiwanese background. Fang Yuan, Ruby’s graduate collection, showcases a modern, ready-to-wear menswear collection that incorporates Chinese elements in each design.

      FANG YUAN will be unveiled at 2017 The Show presented by Tamoda Apparel Inc., on April 5 and 6 at the Imperial (319 Main Street). Twenty-seven other lines by Kwantlen Polytechnic University Fashion Design and Technology students will also be showcased.

      For event details, visit kpu.ca/2017fashionshow or follow @wilsondesignkpu on Instagram.

      Natalia Santana: Describe your collection.

      Ruby Tsai: FANG YUAN is a ready-to-wear collection for men who want to show their unique personality. It features unique prints and details.

      NS: Who or what was the inspiration behind your line?

      RT: I chose to study in Canada after I finished my high school education in Taiwan. I've now been in Canada for seven years. I have realized that, even though I love Canada, I still have a strong connection to my Chinese culture. Therefore, I want to combine elements of Chinese culture into my creative menswear collection.

      NS: Walk me through your creative process.

      RT: After developing a theme, the most important step is to sketch a lot of different garments. I am always looking for fabrics from the beginning to the end of the design process. The texture, colour, and touch of fabric will often change my sketches.

      In this collection, prints are my core elements. I also created my own print that features Chinese elements for this collection.

      NS: What have you learned at KPU?

      RT: I have learned that teamwork is very important. While people think fashion design students are all about competing against and never helping one other, KPU is different. Here, I've learned a lot of different skills from teachers and classmates. We help each other and support each other and develop leadership skills in doing so.

      NS: What aspect of design are you most passionate about?

      RT: I would say problem solving through hands-on work and using the knowledge I already know to solve issues in drafting and sewing. When I first learned how to sew and draft, my life changed. By using pattern-drafting and draping skills, I can create a lot of different garments.

      NS: What’s next for you?

      RT: I will first look for a job in the fashion industry; I am looking for more experience locally. By using the knowledge I already have, I believe gaining more experiences in life will help me launch my line in the future.

      Natalia Santana is a final-year fashion design and technology student at KPU’s Wilson School of Design.

      Places to go nearby

      Approx. 15 minutes away

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