Who is Han Chong?
Han Chong is a Malaysian born designer best known for starting the brand Self-Portrait in 2013. Chong attended the prestigious arts university Central Saint Martins in London. He credits the city for creating the foundation for him to found Self-Portrait.
Image courtesy of vogue.mx
Sidebar: Central Saint Martins may sound familiar beyond its stellar reputation. Asian Designer Spotlight star Miss Sohee also attended the school before launching her line!
The school helped Chong put roots in London. It was there that he worked for several fashion houses before deciding to open his own brand – Self-Portrait.
What is Self-Portrait?
Self-Portrait is a London-based women’s ready-to-wear brand founded in 2013. They create romantic, classic pieces with the aim to ”make women feel special, no matter the occasion.”
Unlike most other fashion houses that need a few years to hit their stride, Self-Portrait was a success within a year of its opening. Thanks in large part to one dress.
The Azalea dress, specifically, was a fashion revelation! In fact, a Self-Portrait dress is probably the most recognizable item offered in their collections.
The Azalea was a fit and flare style midi dress characterized by lace overlayed on a neutral mini dress. It was seen on red carpets galore shortly after its debut in 2015.
Celebrities like Beyoncé, Pippa Middleton and Miranda Kerr clamored for Self-Portrait designs. Their patronage skyrocketed the brand’s popularity for more than just dresses.
Although a Self-Portrait dress is something to be celebrated, the brand is more than one clothing type. Their classic aesthetic envelops tops, skirts, pants and jumpsuits!
In nearly every category. Self-Portrait offers a range of bridal dresses and modest wear to appeal to every woman.
The brand offers everything you need for timeless looks that are sure to last a lifetime.
Self-Portrait’s Signatures
You can identify a Self-Portrait dress by its lace. A lace design is what made the Azalea dress blow up.
It’s the perfect material to represent a brand that deals in timelessness. And Chong is talented in wielding it for ready-to-wear.
Self-Portrait has many a lace dress, top and bottom. The material is elevated by the ways it’s layered and gathered for each piece.
Similarly, Self-Portrait uses rich materials like wool and tweed to communicate their brand identity. They make clothes for women who don’t deal in trends.
Instead, their high quality fabrics are paired with classic accents like a scalloped edge or statement button. Their clothes are the paradigm of elegance in dressing.
More Asian Designers we Love
References
- How the Timeless Elegance of Self Portrait has Kept the Brand Thriving a Decade On
- Asian Designer Spotlight: Miss Sohee
- The Azalea: The Dress for the Selfie Generation
