Designer Masha Ma inspired by flower power
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Masha Ma with T-shirts designed by Chinese designers and artists at Vogue's Fashion Night Out on Aug 31. Photo provided to China Daily |
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She interned for the likes of Alexander McQueen at school and was a finalist in such competitions as the Lancome Colour Designs Award 2006 and Chloe's design competition.
She founded her eponymous brand in 2008 and launched the secondary line MA BY MA STUDIO last year.
Ma sees the new line, which targets younger customers, as "more commercial, fun and accessible".
"For the diffusion line, we will do a completely preppy style. Masha Ma is for women, and MA by MA is for girls," she says.
The secondary line is mainly sold in China. Ma says she's considering someday taking it to New York Fashion Week.
Meanwhile, she's releasing an epiphyllum-themed jewelry collection for the main brand.
Her goal in undertaking so many endeavors, she says, is to evolve from a designer to a brand.
"Everyone can be a designer, but not everyone can build a brand. These are two totally different things," she says.
Ma plans to focus on building the business' structure in China in the next two years and then moving on to Paris.
"Masha is so hardworking and devoted," Vogue China's editor-in-chief Angelica Cheung says. "And she is always fearless."
Ma is currently busily preparing for Paris Fashion Week, where she'll present her new show on Oct 1.
"Femininity is the eternal theme for the brand," Ma says.
"The new collection will have a brighter summer feel to it. Summer for me is always brighter and clearer, and winter is more on the warm side."
For the 2014 fall/winter show, Ma designed masks for the models that look like flowers to make a statement about "voice and female power".
She also plans to create a special show this season to let viewers "really experience it and understand the 'Ma woman'", she says.
