3- What makes Jeff Wan leather goods unique from other brands?
The Jeff Wan Collection comes from my background and experience as a designer, entrepreneur, and as a consumer of fashion. Every decision I make goes through layers of consideration, from design and functionality to quality and end-use. The collection is designed with the maturing Millennial in mind who is not only conscious of fashion trends but is also budget-conscious — people who are looking for something that can be worn with multiple outfits found in their wardrobes. As a designer and business-owner in 2019, I feel it is my duty to produce a product that the customer will not only be proud to wear, but that will offer them a New York City brand experience that will satisfy them for years to come. Every piece from the Jeff Wan collection is Made in New York City, Italy, or Vietnam.
4 – How does your cultural background influence your designs?
Though I live now in New York City, I travel to Mauritius at least twice a year to visit my family. When I look for inspiration, I look around New York and the Island of Mauritius. To me, Manhattan and Mauritius have a lot in common. The Flag Colorblock collection is a direct tribute to my home country of Mauritius, with its brilliant colors and energy. New York serves as the inspiration for the shape of our bags. The Empire collection is my idea of night-life in the Big Apple: edgy and sexy, yet refined and composed. The Coco collection is classic, minimalistic, and timeless, mixing the western and eastern landscapes from my birth and chosen homes. Though each collection has its own style, they all share my attention to premium design detail and the use of animated colors.
5 – When putting a collection together, what is the process like for you?
Ironically, I am usually more creative when I am at the gym. I often brainstorm and design things in my head. Once I get to the studio, I sketch everything on paper. I then do my research based on my designs. After my research, I put a mood board together with the rough sketches and inspirations and look for materials and add them to the board. From there, I continue to refine the design until production.