New York Designer Han Feng
Last spring the Look On-Line conducted a survey of the
buyers and press who attended the RTW shows at Byrant Park.
One of the questions we asked in our survey was what one designer
did they feel might become a major player in New York fashion
in the future. Han Feng and Victor Alfaro lead all
others in total votes!
A native of Hangzhou, China, Han Feng studied graphic design
at China's leading art school before immigrating to the U.S. in 1985.
In 1989, she established a line of elegant women's scarves carried
by prominent stores such as Nieman Marcus, Barneys New York, Henri
Bendel and Saks Fifth Avenue. Henri Bendel then asked Han Feng to
design two evening blouses incorporating her pleated scarf motif,
for the 1992 holiday season.
For Spring 1993, she designed her first small collection of rtw that
featured "dramatically pleated" column skirts and diaphanous organza
coats. The response from buyers and the fashion press was very
favorable. The collection was viewed as fresh, exciting and salable.
Her current resort collection previewed August 7 in New York. We
asked Han Feng what she had in mind in designing this collection.
"In the winter, women do not want to suddenly put on white tee-shirts
even if they are going to a tropical enviroment. With this in mind,
I combined warm jewel tones with light-weight silks for a resort
collection that is rich in texture and color. Designed as elegant
daywear,
the collection is focused on silhouettes that unify comfort
with style."
Han Feng is an American success story. Like countless other
immigrants before her, she renews the American dream for all of us.
Let's hope that she will not fall victim to what one editor who
attended her resort show fears most-being pushed too fast by an
industry hungry for new stars but impatient to the time that it takes
for their talent to grow and mature.
Today, Han Feng is sold by such stores as Neiman Marcus, Henri Bendel,
Barneys, Fred Rodgers and The Link(Singapore). Her ready-to-wear and
accessories retail from $100 to $1000.
