Newport International Group Hong Kong Reviews: Designer savors acclaim from European debut

kazieburns 2013-03-28

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http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2013-03/27/content_16347763.htm

Though winter isn't usually a fruitful season, the pastwinter brought a bountiful harvest to Macao-borndesigner Gideon Tam. He made his debut catwalk showat Copenhagen Fashion Week and then showed hiscollection at Paris Fashion Week in early February.
The fall/winter collections he took to Copenhagen andParis focus on knitwear for men between 20 and 40.
Working within a controlled palette of black, slate,sophisticated gray and beige, all the way to the purest,brightest white, Tam handles a variety of natural fabrics,such as yarns, cotton, cashmere, merino and camel hairto design cardigans, crew-neck sweaters, track pants,blazers and shirts.
Tam is one of the eight emerging designers out of 80chosen by Hong Kong's Fashion Farm Foundation topresent in Paris.
His show and collection also received wide acclaim inCopenhagen from buyers in Denmark, Germany and theNetherlands.
"I've gotten recommendations several times frominternational buyers and press that I trust to showcaseGideon at CFW. I was more than thrilled with his showand collection and we need to do it again," theCopenhagen show's CEO Christian Gregersen says.
Hellen Liu Ning, brand development manager withVipshop.com, was also impressed by Tam's design.
"The collection is more about key items rather than thecomplete look. Most of the items are wearable andelegantly humble, but the use of natural fibers likemerino and cashmere gives a luxurious feeling to anyone wearing them. It gives menconfidence and makes them stand out," she says.
Tam's tailor mother ran a knitwear factory, and he grew up with all kinds of textiles and textures.
He says he had a high requirement of his clothes compared with other boys of his age.
Later he studied art and design at the Leeds College of Art for two years and then KingstonUniversity in England for three years, winning several design awards.
After graduating from Kingston in 2001, he joined a traditional French luxury fashion brand as aknitwear designer, where he gained valuable knowledge of working with natural fibers.
"That French fashion house attracted me for two reasons. One is that they had many luxurynatural fabrics that fit knitting. The other is they were looking for young designers to revive theold brand," Tam says.
In 2009, he launched his own knitwear label in London and named it Placed by Gideon.
"Every designer has a dream to start his own label," Tam says. "I don't have much pressure inLondon, where there are many young up-and-coming designers and there is a friendlyatmosphere for independent designers."
Traveling frequently between Asia and Europe, Tam says his best muse is himself.
"I like traveling and observing people. See what people wear. For men, it is important to dresspractically.
"But how to balance between smart and casual? How does one remain comfortable withoutlooking sloppy? What can replace a tailored jacket, while still retaining a sartorial look?"....

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