Next Generation || Jessica Au

Not many graduate designers can say they've recieved national recognition and to have been shortlisted for the River Island fashion awards Fashion week, well JESSICA AU CAN!!!
Middlesex graduateJessica Au is an East London based designer working in collaboration with VVVintage to create their brand JAU LABEL.
She has worked under labels such as Hussein Chalayan, Puma, Michelle Lowe Holder and Nigel Cabourne.

In 2010 she broke into the East London fashion scene with her SS11 menswear.

They've recently collaborated with VVVintage to launh her SS13 collection which has already sold out at Somerset House London Fashion week this September 2013.

"Jessica Au restructures menswear, showcasing her skill and precision through cut out fabrications and layers of texture producing an unusual take on urban sportswear. Overlaying harsh mesh on delicate sheer printed fabrics a combination not usually associated with menswear. Jessica has multiple decorative textural elements within her designs, something often neglected when it comes to menswear, due to the prominent concentration and demand for cut and structure."

I'm exited to see the future of what Jessica has to offer in the future. She's definitely one to watch!

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νέον // SPRING SUMMER 2013 // νέον

Neon (Greek νέον (neon) meaning "new one"). Au's recent infatuation with Die Antwoord's "Zef Style" and the wave of neo-trash movement set her mind to work on her first womenswear and menswear collection that would focus on merging Japanese street style with stripper influences such as Brooke Candy.

Combining her obsession with illustration and her curiosity surrounding intricate artistic concepts allows Jessica Au to design with fabrics and aesthetics that have never been seen or used before.
She has redefined what it means to be ' One To Watch', as she begins to restructure the path of a traditional fashion designer's career during fashion's most sought after month.

This year alone Au's collection has been housed in Japan's TEKNOPOLICE alongside massive underground labels such as Kokontozai, the iconic Philip Treacy, and many of today's most sought after designers. Her London based stockists include: 123 Bethnal green road alongside Dr.Noki and William R Green and Shop 172 on Brick Lane.

Press  Enquiries:
Press@Jessica-Au.com

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Jessica Au. Jessica Au. Jessica Au. Jessica Au. Jessica Au.

 

Remember that name

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I was able to ask the lovely Jessica some questions, so enjoy~

•  What type of people do you see rocking Jessica Au garments?

The JAU Label supporter is someone who has an appreciation for innovative, unusual and fun design.  My customers buy JAU because they need something that is a signature piece which they usually mix with other neutral pieces from other designers, or vintage/high street.  There is a real sense for something fresh and different, and the people who wear JAU like to stand out in their attire, with confidence and comfortability on their side.

• What are your plans for 2013 and beyond?

My plans for 2013 is to focus more on accessories, which I'm so EXCITED about!   I'm also researching into merging chainmail with perspex at the moment for the next collection, so I'm very curious to see where this will take me.  I'm also going to work on some prints so perhaps that will make it into the next collection also.  We also have a few ideas in the pipeline on how to present the next collection.  We're thinking it will be a "guerilla affair".  We're garnering a lot of interest from buyers so the list of stockists is going up, we're also going to open our ASOS JAU LABEL Boutique in the new year, which will sell a lot of one off or limited edition pieces.  Keep your eyes peeled!

• Any advice you would like to give to other fresh designers, whether it be advice on creating a collection or advice on how to expand their collection?

Being a new and young designer is a tough responsibility.  There is a lot to learn and take on.  Trying to balance your creativity with it being a viable product that is desirable for the consumerable market is also a difficult one if your ideas are very whacky or avant garde.  It is finding that fine line between innovation and desirability of an idea that is the most difficult.  Also I think a lot of fresh graduates from university have an unrealistic time frame of how fast it will take to get where they want.  Nothing comes without plenty of hard work.

• I see you've merged Japanese street style influences with your new collection. Any specific style icons or sub-styles that have caught your eye?

I've always been a big fan of the Japanese Street scene, there really is no shame to what they choose to wear.  Such freedom and care free attitude around their fashion could only be decades away from us British people.  I particularly like at the minute, Die Antwoord and Brooke Candy.  Their sense of style is so "freaky" that only a pop star could get away with wearing such things other than in Japan.  For me they are trend setters, with bolshie minds.


 SS13 "Schizolog" Fashion Film.  
This piece was created as a tribute to the memory of Satoshi Kon.

After finding a magic box, Pia is thrown through a series of visual worlds, each fitting with a different outfit. Pia strives through encounters with monsters and clones, will she ever find her way home?

The result of a collaboration between Rob Heppell and designer Jessica Au, inspired by Paprika, Ray Harryhausen and NES Games. The film shows JAU Labels upcycled collection for VVVintage which will be featured at London Fashion Week SS13.

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robheppell.com
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