Runway Radar: Maggie Wong's accessible Saccharine shakes up cosplay game

By William Du

A cosplayer with an affinity for Japanese fashion and its subcultures, Maggie Wong designed a Japanese-inspired collection crafted specifically for North Americans.

Saccharine 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.

William Du: Describe your collection.

Maggie Wong: Saccharine is a collection inspired by Japanese fashion for the North American women.

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

MW: As a cosplayer of 13 years, I participated in various Japanese fashion community meet-ups. I became friends with likeminded women with interest in Japanese lifestyles. When shopping for cosplay apparel, they found several issues related to appropriate size options, poor quality, and inconvenience of obtaining the clothing.

I wanted to create a line that would satisfy the North American Japanese fashion fan. Saccharine was created specifically with a wider range of sizes (from four to 12) and incorporates high-quality fabrics such as silk. These items will be sold at North American conventions and via e-commerce.

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

MW: Seeing something two-dimensional come to life in reality truly brings me a sense of satisfaction and interest. I’m proud of all my creations. It's similar to cosplay where you map out a character’s clothing designs and create it from scratch into something wearable.

WD: What are your plans after graduation?

MW: After graduation, I plan to network and gain further connections by attending North American conventions and helping Japanese independent artists and designers. I’m hoping that ,with these connections and experiences, I can get an opportunity to work in the Japanese fashion industry.

I want to work in Japan for a year or two to achieve my childhood dream of living there and being immersed in their culture and fashion. After that, I hope to move to Los Angeles and settle down in the fashion industry there.

WD: How do you set yourself apart from other designers?

MW: I would say my background allows me to be more unique than other designers. My intimate experiences with volunteering for Japanese designers at North American conventions give me the knowledge that I can bring to my designs that cater directly to the North American market.

WD: Who are your style icons?

MW: My friends because they are passionate about Japanese fashion. Each of them have their own unique sense of style . The confidence that exudes from them is enviable and just shows how amazing they are.

WD: What lessons did you learn while completing your degree at KPU?

MW: I learned to work within a timeframe and meet deadlines. I executed designs from start to finish, which included not only design work but also construction. I had the opportunity to work in groups and learned to depend on others when collaborating on ideas. Overall, I learned an array of skills that make me ready for the fashion industry.

William Du is an inventory clerk at Kit and Ace.