Sean Suen’s Reconciliation

By giving his name to the label he founded in 2012, Chinese designer Sean Suen reaffirms a singular and personal vision honed through his fine arts degree and early professional life in graphic design. Envisioning his eponymous brand as a platform, he challenges traditional notions of structure, materials and composition, all in search of the essence of masculinity – today and beyond. Suen made his Paris Fashion Week debut on the Spring-Summer 2016 calendar, offering a first glance at a post-modern design vocabulary in which garments exist as wearable design objects that express languid masculinity. Through his collections, he articulates a highly graphic glossary that spans inspirations across art, cinema and architecture. Suen has a future-proofed attention to material and finishes that extends beyond the seasonality of a product. His work is a compelling and personal contribution to today’s fashion conversation.

What would you like us to know about this collection?
The Sean Suen AW 2022 collection examines the changing emotions brought on by traumatizing human experiences and the process of reconciliation in times of loneliness and helplessness. I hope to create a link to a resonant, free and comfortable space for those who wear the clothes. 

Are you a dreamer?
Yes, I am. 

Had you dreamed of becoming a designer?
That’s how I become what I am today, by following my dream. I didn’t have any fashion background, but I dared to dream and worked very hard for this dream, too.

Why do you think people dream of working in fashion?
The fashion industry is a dream maker; there are so many people willing to join and make their dreams come true.

Have you ever translated a dream into an actual design?
There are times when I get to an important stage of creativity and my mind is full of creative ideas, and sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between dreams and reality. This is a fine line. 

Name someone whose own dreams have inspired you?
Li Bai, an ancient Chinese poet.

To what extent do you think fashion is about proposing/selling dreams?
The brand and every collection is its own dream creation which allows the audience or customer to enter this dream. 

What is one dream you would like to achieve this coming year?
Travel far and wide – both physically and in my mind.

This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.