10 Questions with Tong Tong

Tong Tong is a cutting-edge fashion designer and creative based in New York City. In 2023, He obtained his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Since the start of his fashion career in New York, his design works has quickly gained international recognitions on magazines such as ANON, Rebel, and Schön.

www.tong-tong-tong.com | @tongtong_9815

Tong Tong - Portrait

ARTIST STATEMENT

Tong's designs draw inspiration from a rich tapestry of influences, including personal memories, a profound passion for fashion history, and an adventurous exploration of materials. Tong's creations often skillfully juxtapose masculinity with femininity, blending functionality and whimsical elements while seamlessly merging tradition with innovative design concepts. His unique approach to fashion weaves together these elements, resulting in captivating and thought-provoking designs that challenge conventional boundaries.

***Home Alone***, collection, 2022 © Tong Tong
Photography: Magic Feifei @magicfeifei
Fashion Design: Tong Tong @tongtong_9815
Make Up: Max Liu @ruihong1iu
Model: Max Liu @ruihong1iu - Yue Xu @laaamaluna - Fengzee Yang @kfvkq
Assistant: Linhan Zhang @bigwhitelephanttt - Yuanyao Zhu @yuanyao_zhu

Home Alone | Project Description

“Drawing inspiration from a cherished childhood memory of clandestine explorations into my parents' wardrobe, this collection embodies the whimsy and laughter of those playful moments. Reminiscing on the amusing mismatched ensembles I concocted in front of the mirror, I sought to recapture that delightful sense of spontaneity in each garment. By intertwining classic office wear textiles with a playful fusion of adult silhouettes and childrenswear accents and infusing visual elements from my formative years, I've curated a collection that radiates the joy and nostalgia of that magical experience. Each piece is a testament to the enduring allure of playful self-expression and the boundless creativity of youth.”
— Tong Tong

***Home Alone***, collection, 2022 © Tong Tong

INTERVIEW

Can you share more about your journey to becoming an internationally recognized fashion designer? How did your early experiences shape your approach to fashion design?

Ever since I was a kid, I have been someone who is constantly curious about my surroundings and always asking questions about the norms of things. Unlike some of my artist friends who discovered their passion for art early in childhood, my aspiration didn't emerge until my high school years. It was during this time that an inspiring art history class ignited my passion for art, encouraging me to explore my creative talents more deeply.
My earliest encounter with fashion was not something glamorous, as many might assume. Instead, it was quite everyday and grounded in practicality. Like my grandmother, who made clothes for my mother, my mom would make some of my clothes herself out of habit, crafting beanies, sweaters, and sometimes even pants. This hands-on approach to creating clothing left a lasting impression on me. Her attention to detail and craftsmanship deeply affected how I view fashion design.
These early experiences led me to pursue fashion design for my higher education where I had the opportunity to delve deeper into the technical and creative aspects of the field, further refining my skills and expanding my understanding of design. Eventually, I made the decision to further pursue my career as a fashion designer.
Today, I draw upon my diverse cultural background and the rich experiences gathered along my journey to infuse authenticity and depth into my designs. Each creation is a testament to my commitment to storytelling, craftsmanship, and fashion as a powerful medium for self-expression and cultural dialogue. This unique blend of influences has helped me gain recognition in the fashion world, allowing me to create designs that resonate with audiences globally and solidify my presence as an internationally recognized fashion designer.

What pivotal moments or experiences in your artistic journey had the most significant impact on your creative vision?

One of the most pivotal moments in my artistic journey was deciding to move to New York to further my career. The city's vibrant melting pot of cultures and ideas significantly shaped my creative vision. Surrounded by diverse inspirations, from eclectic street styles to avant-garde art, I was encouraged to think outside the box and experiment with innovative design concepts. The competitive and fast-paced nature of New York's fashion industry pushed me to refine my skills and stay ahead of trends. This transformative experience reinforced my belief in blending traditional elements with modern innovation, helping me develop a unique and authentic voice in the global fashion scene.
I am immensely proud of how quickly and smoothly I integrated into the city and established my place in the industry. My achievements have garnered admiration from many of my peers. One of my proudest moments was seeing my designs worn by supermodel Maye Musk, Elon Musk's mother, for a photoshoot that graced the cover of Schön! China fashion magazine. This recognition underscores the impact of my work and my swift ascent in the fashion world.

Your designs are known for blending masculinity with femininity and juxtaposing functionality with whimsy, as you mention in your statement. Can you walk us through your creative process and how you develop these unique combinations?

Fashion has historically been divided into menswear and womenswear based on a binary gender ideology. This division is achieved through specific considerations of functionality and visual elements that can be identified and categorized. I believe there are middle grounds where these two areas can blend, and I strive to create such intersections through my work.
During my creative process, I identify and categorize these functional and visual elements within their traditional contexts. I then extract and "misplace" them into new contexts that I create in my designs. This deliberate recontextualization results in combinations that are both thought-provoking and whimsical. By challenging conventional boundaries and exploring the fluidity between masculinity and femininity, I aim to produce designs that provoke reflection while maintaining a sense of playfulness and innovation.

The Home Alone collection draws from a cherished childhood memory. How do personal memories and experiences influence your design work, and do you have any new personal stories you're currently exploring through fashion?

Personal memories are the histories of an individual, and they fascinate me deeply, just like my interest in fashion history. I would say the majority of my works start from a nostalgic point. And personal memories often serve as an anchor for my creations. Take the "Home Alone" collection, for example. It all began with a cherished childhood memory. During my creative process, it is common for my work to evolve into many other things, sometimes causing me to lose my focal point. When that happens, I revisit this piece of memory to help guide my decisions and ensure I am on the right track. Although my collections may eventually grow beyond these initial memories, I believe it is like the process of a seed growing into a tree. The original memory serves as the seed, providing the foundation and direction for the entire creative journey.
Currently, I am developing other works that relate to my personal stories. Rather than focusing on a particular memory, I am trying to capture a specific emotion. This project is still in its juvenile stages, and I would love to share more details once it is fully developed.

As a designer who merges tradition with innovative concepts, how do you balance honoring fashion history while pushing the boundaries of contemporary design?

Balancing history while pushing the boundaries of contemporary design is not always an easy task. If you become too focused on history, the work might come out as repetitive and lose its originality. Conversely, if you only focus on "innovation" or simply try to be different, the work may lack context. To me, true innovation does not happen suddenly but comes from a thorough understanding and examination of our past.
Revisiting the past with a fresh eye is often the first step of my creative process. This allows me to ask myself important questions: How can something historical remain relevant in the current context? How can I create a new perspective using something familiar to the world? With these questions in mind, I begin experimenting. This approach helps me create designs that are not entirely foreign to my audience but are evolutionary to a certain degree.
By understanding and honoring fashion history, I can use it as a foundation to build upon, ensuring that my work retains a sense of continuity and context. At the same time, this process of inquiry and experimentation enables me to push boundaries and introduce innovative concepts that resonate on a contemporary level.

Speaking of fashion history, do you have any designer you particularly look up to or anyone whose work has greatly inspired your practice? Or do you get your inspiration from different sources?

I draw inspiration from a variety of sources, but some designers whose work I particularly admire are Issey Miyake, Hussein Chalayan, and Massimo Osti. Their innovative approaches to materials and transformative impact on the fashion industry have greatly influenced my practice. In addition to looking at other designers' work, I often explore vintage garments from different time periods as a source of innovation. Movies, music, and photography also play a significant role in my creative process, providing rich material for storytelling and concept building. These diverse sources of inspiration help me create designs that are both meaningful and contemporary.

The fashion industry is quite famous for its trends and innovations. What macro trends do you believe will shape the future of fashion in the coming years? Are there any specific trends you are particularly excited about?

Many fashion brands are shifting their designs towards performance wear, emphasizing technology in textiles. This trend, which excites me greatly, indicates a broader industry focus on innovation and practicality, and I have been a fan of the idea of form shaped by functionality. I am excited about the potential of performance wear and technology integration, as they offer new possibilities for creating designs that are both visually compelling and highly functional.

How do you envision technology influencing fashion design and production in the near future?

I believe the world is undergoing a dramatic technological advancement, with more focus on innovations such as AI. Thiswill deeply affect how people design and create garments. Digital patternmaking has been around for a while, and now there are advanced software solutions that use 3D modeling for garment making. Virtual fashion is also becoming a significant topic alongside sustainability. These changes will shift the industry towards more transparent production processes and increased automation. For example, I've seen a video of sewing machines that can partially sew pieces together autonomously, which could help address labor issues in the industry. Additionally, more fabric mills are focusingon recycled fibers and developing materials with a lower environmental impact. These advancements will provide designers with more options and tools, allowing consumers to enjoy fashion products at a lower cost, both financially and ethically. Furthermore, technology will enable greater creativity and customization, allowing designers to experiment with new ideas and offer personalized fashion experiences. I believe all these positive changes will make fashion more accessible, innovative, and sustainable for everyone.

On the same note, can you give us a sneak peek into any upcoming collections or projects you are working on? What new themes or concepts are you excited to explore?

I am excited to share a glimpse of my upcoming collection, "Urban Nomad." This collection explores the theme of modern nomadism, focusing on the intersection of functionality and adaptability in urban environments. Inspired by the fluidity and dynamism of contemporary city life, "Urban Nomad" seeks to create garments that are versatile and multifunctional, catering to the needs of individuals who are constantly on the move.
The collection integrates innovative materials and design techniques to enhance comfort and utility. I have experimented with modular designs, allowing pieces to be worn in multiple ways or easily transformed to suit different occasions and environments. This approach not only emphasizes practicality but also encourages sustainable consumption by offering more versatility in fewer garments. Additionally, I am embracing more technology in this collection by fully utilizing digital patternmaking and 3D modeling to develop all the garments. This not only streamlines the design process but alsoallows for greater precision and creativity.
I am particularly excited about this collection because it embodies my ongoing exploration of the relationship between fashion and lifestyle, pushing the boundaries of how we think about clothing in a rapidly changing world. "Urban Nomad" represents a step forward in my journey to create designs that are not only visually compelling but also deeply relevant to the way we live today.

Lastly, what advice would you give aspiring fashion designers just starting their careers, especially those who want to have a significant impact?

For aspiring fashion designers, my advice is to embrace the journey with curiosity and resilience. Continuously seek new knowledge and experiences, and don't be afraid to experiment with new materials and techniques. Build a strong foundation in garment-making and design principles, and engage with other professionals to expand your network. Stay true to your unique vision while being aware of trends, and also focus on creating works that are sustainable. Remember that success takes time and persistence, so remain patient and learn from every challenge. By doing so, you can navigate the industry and make a significant impact with your designs.

Artist’s Talk

Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.

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