Suki London is the kind of brand with room to breathe – unfettered, fresh and young enough to still lay down some significant sartorial milestones. However, whilst this may be so, this newly launched luxury fashion house is already crystal clear about one thing – elegance is eternal. Suki’s founder, 23-year-old Beijing-native Lu Hui , is a purveyor of this as well as her evoking something of Tina Chow about her and has big plans for her brand.
As her sortie into design also presents a leap into entrepreneurism here in London for the internationally educated young designer and recent graduate of London College of Fashion, Glass spoke to the young designer whose designs are already stocked at Dover Street’s Wolf & Badger.
While your roots are based firmly in the fast moving city of Hong Kong, Suki London is of course a complete product of London. What attracts you to London?
Correct, I’m originally from China, 100 per cent. When I was 18 my mother suggested that I explore and experience different cultures and I knew this was going to be a very important step for me.
Compared with all the big fashion capital cities New York, Milan and Paris, I think London is the best because the most creative ideas start from here. London is unlike anything, it’s always fresh and inspiring. I find this city is full of opportunities, especially for new designers. Above all else, there is always new creative talent that seems to emerge from here, that’s something I’ve always wanted to be a part of.
You graduated from London College of Fashion in 2014. What did you learn during your time there?
I started my studies in London in 2011 when I entered an fashion studies access course diploma. During that I was able to immerse myself in many elements of brand identity, marketing values and awareness, which is when I knew that I wanted to pursue creative direction.
When I began my BA in Creative Brand Identity at London College of Fashion that was when I met tutors who were able to guide me into finding my skills. I was confident I had an understanding of what makes a successful brand but it was very important for me to discover what it takes to become a knowledgeable director overall.
Suki is still a very young clothing brand. How did you get the idea to start it only a few months ago?
I’ve always loved fashion deeply and I believe this was first inspired by my mother. My mother loves fashion and has always made it her duty to dress up and look fabulous every day. She was once a very acclaimed artist and even designed shoes on the side. She still paints now and again but most importantly she passed her unmistakable creative eye onto me, I believe.
In addition, after doing numerous internships I found myself surrounded by a wide range of designers which was really inspiring to me, especially the new talent. I then began to create and design clothes for myself and when my friends and family liked them I decided to do a collection, quite simply. I then created my brand Suki, it happened very quickly and I already had the knowledge of how to create and promote a brand – the rest just fell into place quite fortunately.
Your SS15 collection is composed of a very restrained colour palette. Why did you choose those colours specifically?
Personal identity, the brand is part of who I am. When designing I think of myself as a character and I try to bring that into my designs, it gives my clothes personality. I love to wear chic, which means that I always choose minimalism, infinite in its elegance and distinguished by carefully tailored clothes which have clean finish.
What are Suki’s staples?
I would say Suki is mostly characterised by contemporary luxury fashion. We also have a vision to create an enduring and timeless elegance that luxuriates the spirit. This is something that I personally pride myself on, because luxury in essence is a transitory actuality. As much as I love London, you can see that all around, but this is also what inspires me so.
For now, there is lots of room to expand Suki London. How do you plan on developing Suki in the near future?
For next season, even though I’m entirely besotted with monochrome, my AW15 collection is vibrant with colour. Through the fabric choices I really wanted to bring through a youthful cheery vibe which is something I want Suki to exude, meanwhile also redolent in its dignified style.
I am also in the process of organising an event to debut Suki AW15 in April. My aim is for the brand to step into the London luxury scene and engage with its growing audience. In time more and more will hopefully soon recognize Suki’s style, high aesthetic standards and market position. Moreover, I will create another sideline for Suki’s bags and shoes collection in the near future which I am very excited about piecing together. Above all I want to be able to make women feel glamorous and confident in my clothing, in themselves and in the same spirit to that of my dear mother.
by Liam Feltham
Images courtesy of Suki London.
See more of Suki London here