The three Designers

Victor Shalom

With more than 10years of experience, he is the mastermind behind BLOW Mag and permanent photographer of the magazine. Based in Sao Paulo, he works for both national and international markets of advertisement and fashion. Victor had spnt 2 years in Milan(Italy), where he worked for several magazines and huge brands such as Flair Magazine, Wit Magazine, Macro Bijoux, Francesco Scognamiglio, Mauro Demestria, Cherry Blossom Scandinavia, Demiam Jeans, Instituto Marangoni, among others.

On the European season, he also photographed in Switzerland, Portugal and Turkey, where he’s represented by the agency Workshop. In Brazil, made a photo-essay with the world’s number one top model, Gisele Bundchen, on a campaign for Grendene. Also, photographed for magazines such as Vogue, VIP, Status and Playboy and campaigns for brands like Coca-cola, Kuat(a Brazilian soda) and Sorriso (a Brazilian toothpaste).  

Jason Wu

He is a Taiwanese-Canadian fashion designer based in New York City. He is most famous for designing the dresses of Michelle Obama on several occasions, including during first and second inauguration of American President Barack Obama. Based in New York City, Jason Wu is one of the leading young American fashion designers.  Since his debut collection in February 2006, Jason has dressed the most beautiful women in the world, ranging from socialites to celebrities such as Katie Holmes, Jessica Alba, Kerry Washington and supermodel Amber Valetta.

Combining his eclectic and diverse background developed while living in Taipei, Paris, Tokyo and Vancouver, Jason had already been creating modern dressing with the spirit and detailing of Haute Couture prior to the age of 14, when he started as a freelance designer for Integrity Toys.  By age 16, he was the Company’s Creative Director and soon after that, he became a partner.  His experience also encompasses a degree from the prestigious Parsons School of Design and an internship with Narciso Rodriguez, as well as numerous industry accolades ranging from Fashion Group International’s Rising Star Award for Women’s Ready-to-Wear in January 2008 to a finalist in the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund for 2008 and many others since.

Jason Wu’s fashion collections are found at a variety of premium retailers, including Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Ultimo and Holt Renfrew, among others. In addition to designing for and managing his women’s clothing line, Jason also oversees the design for Integrity Toys’ high-end fashion doll lines, whose collectibles reflect the styling and impeccable attention to detail that Jason Wu is known for.

Jason Wu signature hourglass dresses combine old Hollywood glamour with youthful ease, making them perfect not just for the red carpet, but also for a certain other big-night event.  

Giambattista Valli

Born and raised in Rome, Giambattista Valli holds a BA from Liceo as well a degree in Art.Influenced by his city, his Roman roots, the movies of Antonioni and inspired by the discovery of French fashion through the watercolors of Yves Saint Laurent and the drawings of Gruau, Giambattista decided to pursue his dream by enrolling in fashion school, the Istituto Europeo del Design of Rome, in 1986.In 1987 he began a foundation course in illustration at Central St. Martin's School of Arts in London.

Returning to Italy, he worked in the studio of Roberto Capucci. In his role as Capucci's assistant, he was introduced to the dramatic haute-couture clothes and the bursting colours of the Roman master.In 1990, after a two year stint with Capucci, the Fendi family called him to oversee, as Senior Designer, the newly born Fendissime Line. There he experimented with prêt-à-porter in the world of the young hip Roman clientele.

Travelling restlessly between collections, he filled his imagination and mind continuously with many influences: India with Mina's songs, the New York of Halston, Antonio Lopez and Bianca Jagger, Paris with Jeanne Moreau, Marie-Hélène de Rothschild and Jane Birkin, Fellini's costumes, Gena Rowlands, Louise Bourgeois... He also spent time with the women of the café society who would become an important source of inspiration for the times to come.

In 1995, Giambattista moved to Milan, where he had been appointed Senior Designer for Krizia womenswear by Krizia-Mariuccia Mandelli.Two years later, in 1997, his two great dreams became a reality - moving to Paris, the city he adored since his teenage years, and the opportunity to combine his prêt-à-porter and couture sensibilities - when he met Emanuel Ungaro.He headed the design studio alongside the master until 2001, when the management appointed him Creative Director for the prêt-à-porter, the Ungaro Fever line, the accessories and licenses.

A few years later, Giambattista launched his own collection and in March 2005 held his first solo show in Paris. Giambattista Valli was thus born.After the opening of its headquarters in the historic building where Jean-Baptiste Lulli once lived in Paris, Giambattista Valli opened its first store rue Boissy d'Anglas in the same building in December 2010. The 150 square meter space, is the first ever boutique dedicated entirely to Giambattista Valli ready-to-wear collections, furs and accessories including shoes, bags and jewelry.Nearly six years after the founding of his signature ready-to-wear house, Giambattista Valli showed its first Haute Couture collection in July 2011. The natural extension of Giambattista Valli's culture, vision, and universe, the collection presents a modern concept of luxury and femininity which speaks to the wishes and lifestyle of his vibrant international clientele.

Giambattista Valli shows four times a year during Paris Fashion Week. He also designs an eponymous line of accessories, has a deal with Italian top fur-maker Ciwifurs for his own fur coats and jackets and designs a line for the oldest sporting jackets manufacturer, Moncler. The brand has more than 245 selling points in 41 countries worldwide. His clothes have been worn by the likes of Penélope Cruz, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jessica Biel, Natalie Portman, Diane Kruger, Halle Berry, Zoe Saldana, Julianne Moore, Brooke Shields and royalty like Her Majesty Rania of Jordan and princess Clotilde Courau.

THE INSPIRATION

What is Fashion Design to me??

As I know, fashion design is more on freedom, it is without any rule and most is the art of the application of design and aesthetics or natural beauty to clothing and accessories. Fashion design is influenced by cultural and social latitudes, and has varied over time and place. Fashion designers work in a number of ways in designing clothing and accessories and because of the time required to bring a garment onto the market, must at times anticipate changing consumer tastes.

Fashion design is usually what we see on the runway and it is a point of view. Normally I will have someone in my mind when I sketch ideas based on what I know this people might like. So designing is actually a fun and interest job to have but it is far from glamorous. Fashion design can also prepare us for careers and entry level positions as fashion designer, assistant designer, costume designer, merchandise assistant, junior designer, fashion stylist trainee, visual merchandiser and so on.

Fashion designers attempt to design clothes which are functional as well as aesthetically pleasing. They must consider who is likely to wear a garment and the situations in which it will be worn. They have a wide range and combinations of materials to work with and a wide range of colors, patterns and styles to choose from. Though most clothing worn for everyday wear falls within a narrow range of conventional styles, unusual garments are usually sought for special occasions such as evening wear or party dresses. Some clothes are made specifically for an individual, as in the case of haute couture or bespoke tailoring. Today, most clothing is designed for the mass market, especially casual and every day wear.

After that, for a young professional seeking to become a fashion designer with not much designing experience or background is quite challenging nowadays. The first step in becoming a designer is to submit ourselves in a fashion institute successively to acquire all the latest necessary tools and approaches to help us achieve our aspired career. Designs and techniques change throughout time and the best place to obtain the newest theories is through a school taught by instructors or lecturers that hold extensive experience in the field. Not only that, we will certainly be more attractive in the fashion industry if holding a degree in fashion design.


There are actually a lot of fashion institutes, but I found that one particularly intriguing, that is IFA Paris, an international fashion school. I had viewed their website and thought they offered the most unique program with a true insight of global fashion. Their bachelor degree in fashion design is offered both in Shanghai, China and Paris, France. What a great opportunity to grasp fashion knowledge through two different cultures. As we know, China is currently growing from every aspect and no better place to be in other than Shanghai. By the way, not to mention the once in a lifetime chance to live and experience the worlds fashion capital, Paris is the place where will build basic foundations to become a leading fashion designer as we will get to create our own garments and participate in a fashion show. But I know that many fashion companies welcome designers with different and exceptional background to keep the flow of fresh ideas within the brand.