Backstage with Twinkle's designer, WENLAN CHIA

TEXT, VIVIAN G. KELLY-VAN ZUTPHEN
TIME & PLACE: Saturday, February 13, at 6:00p.m.
Backstage Images: Mark Behnke
Collection Images: Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, the fall 2010 Collections

There are certain designers we make a point of interviewing season after season. One of them is Wenlan Chia- the designer behind the Twinkle label. It all started eight years ago. The Twinkle label started with a handful of colorful, chunky knit sweaters are now "signature Twinkle". In February 2002, Twinkle by Wenlan made its runway debut at the Gen Art Fresh Faces Fashion Show. Since then, the brand has grown, and includes ready to wear, accessories, jewelry, home furnishings, a book series and yarn collection.

Like fellow designer, Michael Kors, Wenlan knows how to spin a story to go with her collection. [To date, our favorite Michael reference has got to be "Palm Bitch"].
For the spring 2010 collection Wenlan came up with, "Blondie meets Yoko Ono".

Six months later, we came back for more and spoke with the designer pre-show to find-out about her latest inspirations.
An hour prior to her fall 2010 show, Wenlan appeared zen, and as relaxed as if she were on her way to Sunday brunch rather than about to put on a fashion show at Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week.


The Fashion Examiner: We loved the Blondie reference last season! What do you have for us now?

WENLAN: A haunted romance, like the Bronte sisters but with some whimsy thrown into it.

TheFE: How are you getting the theme across?

WENLAN: Through the jewelry I created for this collection.

TheFE: We're going to drag-out the same annoying question we asked you last time - What of the recession? How's business?

WENLAN: the recession has been very tough but there are some bright spots. Our dresses continue to do well.
TheFE: What do you love about this collection?

WENLAN: The olive shade and green.

ENDNOTE: Green, while not as prominent as black + gray is making a strong showing for fall. So far, we've seen it at: Custo Barcelona, Prabal Gurung, Barbara Tfank.