[Un]Discovers: Chi Yuen

Sometime ago I wrote an entry about a debut collection from Chi Yuen and ever since that day, readers have been asking me information about this talented emerging designer. I am very fortunate to be able to get in touch with Cherry so today, you are going to learn more about her in this edition of [Un]Discovers.

Photographer- Andrei Zach

Hello Cherry, thank you so much for letting me to feature you on this site this week. So, what made you want to become a shoe designer? What is the philosophy behind your brand? 
As long as I could remember I have always been specific about shoes. Before I started kindergarten, my parents took me shoe shopping and I couldn’t find any shoes that I would wear. My father ended up painting black a pair of my red leather Mary Jane shoes (they had bows on them and I worn them everyday when I was that age) so I could wear them as part of my uniform. I think stubbornness for style and quality motivate me to become a designer.

A good design is a combination of simplicity with innovative ideas executed in high quality production using luxurious materials.

Photographer- Alejandro Cavallo

I am totally in love with your shoes as I think they are very innovative and cool. I know that you had interned with Nicholas Kirkwood before. How was the experience there and what have you learned from it? 
It was a great experience working with a brilliant team. I have learned to work with specific briefs. The feedback that I got improved my skills in design.

Photographer- Andrei Zach

I am sure some of my readers will be jealous and I am glad you learnt good things from the master. Let's talk about your collection. From what I know, it is about surrealism, how did you come up with this concept? In your opinion, which pair is the statement piece of this collection?
The collection was inspired by surrealism with a focus on Oppenheim's Fur Breakfast, Margritte's Les Amants and Dali's Persistence of Memory. Misplacement of texture and materials on ordinary objects provoke immediate responses because of its unordinary qualities.
The beige platform high heels, beige boots and the fur platform shoes with ankle straps are the key pieces of the collection.

Photographer- Alejandro Cavallo

Out of all the shoes, I am definitely in love with the beige platform high heels as it is so surreal and different. Ever since I posted your collection on my site, people have been asking me where they can purchase this collection. Will you be able to tell me if there is any place they can purchase your shoes? 
Right now it is only on made-to-order basis. Costumers can request through my website www.chiyuen.co.uk.

Photographer- Andrei Zach

I hope my readers will start to send you emails after reading this interview! So, what is the future plan for Chi Yuen?
I am working on a more commercial fusion collection of my MA Collection.

Photographer- Alejandro Cavallo

Good luck with the new collection and please keep me posted when it is ready to launch! Last but not least, a lot of footwear designers like to collaborate with different fashion brands to create capsule collections. If you had the chance to do it, which brand would you want to work with and what kind of shoes would you want to create?
I would love to work with Prada one day. I would design something interesting.

Photographer- Andrei Zach

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Now it's time for some trivia questions!

Salvador Dalí or Claude Monet? 
Marcel Duchamp

Yellow or Blue?
Gold

London or Hong Kong?
Both

Apple or Watermelon?
Apple

Scones or Muffins?
Muffins

Photographer- Alejandro Cavallo

Jack Skellington or Peter Pan?
Jack Skelington

High Heels or Sneakers?
High Heels

Prada or Gareth Pugh?
Prada

PC or Mac?
Mac

Dog or Cat?
Dogs

Photographer- Alejandro Cavallo

Thank you so much to Chi Yuen for being on this week's [Un]Discovers. I wish her all the best and am looking forward to see her next amazing collection! All images are courtesy of Chi Yuen and you can visit her official website for more information about the brand.