Runway Radar: Gladys Ho's Ceremonial Things plays with movement and texture

By Sharon Chuang

Fascinated by textures, Gladys Ho decided to pursue a career in fashion to fulfill her curiosity in design. Her handiwork and craftsmanship produce quality, investment garments.

Ho’s graduate collection, Ceremonial Things, provides joyful clothing that showcases surface manipulation and textures. These include fabric manipulation and embroidery. Currents, smocking, and ruffles are utilized to create movement and to help the wearer connect to her playful nature.

Ceremonial Things 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.

Sharon Chuang: Describe your collection.

Gladys Ho: Ceremonials Things seeks to empower creative professionals through humor while engaging an attitude of curiosity. The brand is centered around playfulness, quirkiness, and surface manipulation. Ceremonial Things celebrates and includes textures in each collection to help invoke the customer’s sense of play.

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

GH: Through trying to develop a concept for my final collection, I realized that one of the things I enjoyed the most was making people laugh or feel happy. Ceremonial Things is meant to help bring a positive mood and connection to clothing for the customer.

SC: Walk me through your creative process.

GH: A lot of my design ideas start with a feeling. From this feeling, whether it is humor, sadness, or elation, I build connections with what present needs are in the world. Sometimes my design ideas begin with a fixated detail. As the process moves forwards, the detail is experimented with through sketches as well as feedback from peers. These ideas are filtered to what would suit the customer best.

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

GH: When I can see my ideas turning into something concrete. With the skills and knowledge I gained from the four years at KPU, it is rewarding when I can transfer what is in my head into a wearable item.

Producing the right fit can go a long way in not only making the customer feel good but also in increasing the longevity of the garment. In an industry of fast and disposable fashion, I believe fit is a quality aspect that helps the customer connect to their clothing.

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

GH: From studying at KPU with such a strong, supportive community base, I realized that collaboration was a vital aspect in helping me develop my work and learning how to help others. Building my network with my peers, instructors, and industry professionals allowed me to learn how to collaborate and produce a strong portfolio. Collaboration helped me with my success in the program and in the industry as well.

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