Interview by SANZA BULAYA
« Make the right garment for the right people, wear the right clothes at the right moment. » – Sophie HONG
«為適合的人做適合的衣服,在適當的場合穿適當的衣服» – Sophie HONG
Ever since 1977, Sophie’s graduation from Shih Chien University, department of fashion design, she never stop creating. In order to be responsible for her work, “Sophie HONG”, as her name, a fashion label was born in 1985. With a profound research of natural dyes and developed on traditional “Mud Silk”, she brought a depth of dialogue on to designed pieces throughout her career.
1977年當她從實踐設計學院獲得時尚設計文憑之後, 她從未停止創作。
爲了對自己的作品負責, “Sophie HONG”, 於1985年她以自己的名字為自己創立的品牌命名。
以獨特的自然過程製成：便成就了「湘雲紗」– 一種散發著大自然精華的布料
為她的職業生涯中設計的作品帶來了深度的對話。
“HONG Silk”(洪絲), named for her, is clothing of exceptional quality, exquisite design and product. Upholding a strong respect for nature and its delicate ecosystem with regard to its application to create wearable clothing, Sophie HONG breathed new life into traditional silks. She created a new fashion fusion between occidental and oriental cultures.
HONG Silk“（洪絲）以她的名字命名,非凡的質感，設計精美的服裝產品。
堅持尊重自然及脆弱的生態系統，適用於創造可穿戴的服裝; Sophie HONG在傳統的絲綢中吸收了新的生命。 她創造了新的一種西方和東方文化的時尚融合。
Among Sophie HONG’s creations, one discovers vast drawings, sculptures, metal designs and bamboo different materials that formed a diversified fine art collection.
在Sophie HONG的作品中，會發現她使用繪畫，雕塑，金屬，竹子等不同材質創作; 形成多樣化的藝術生活和收藏。
- In 2010, “Sophie HONG” Paris opened her flagship boutique at Palais Subsequently, that same year she became director of the Librairie Le Pigeonnier. She puts effort on both places to take root for culture inheritance and exchange.
- 2010年，Sophie HONG Paris在皇家宮殿開設了巴黎店。隨後同年，她成為Librairie Le Pigeonnier的負責人。 在兩邊為文化傳承和交流扎根。
- In 2012 she received the French merit award of “Chevalier” presented by France’s national order, in recognition of her creation of “La Mode and Performance” to promote cultural exchanges between France and Taiwan.
- 2012年，她獲得了法國國家秩序頒發的法國優秀獎“Chevalier”，以表彰她在創造服裝和藝術表現上的供獻，以及促進法國和台灣之間文化交流的供獻。
- In 2014, Sophie HONG’s “HONG Silk” was recognized for its excellence and innovation, thus chosen as winner of the “Golden Pin Design Award”. This kind of Silk Nature Dying technique has been nominated for National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
- 2014年，Sophie Hong的“HONG Silk”以其卓越和創新獲得公認，被選為華人設計最頂尖之“金點設計獎”的獲獎者。而這樣的湘雲紗染織工藝已在2009年評選為中國國家非物質文化遺產。
- In 2015, Sophie HONG Taichung art space was founded.
- 2015年，Sophie HONG台中藝文空間成立。
Same as Sophie HONG, Revver share the same passion for Fashion & Art so we intuitively follow our desire to sit-down with her for a talk…
由於Revver對於服裝和藝術的熱情與Sophie HONG理念一致，因此跟隨我們的直覺與心願，讓我們坐下來與她好好聊聊。
How to describe yourself in 3 words?
如何以三個字形容妳?
> Sophie HONG 洪麗芬
> Taipei 台北
> Taiwan 台灣
Actually, Sophie HONG is my name. The funny thing is, in France more and more people know my name, however, in Taiwan maybe not so much people know me. In fact, it’s very possible that the locals only know my Chinese name “Hong Li Fen”. “HONG” is my family name, “Li Fen” is a very feminine name and, in Chinese, it means “beautiful perfume”.
Indeed, these three words represent who I am.
Sophie HONG是我的名字。有趣的是，在法國越來越多人認識我的名字，然而，在台灣卻非如此。實際上在地人也許只知道我的中文名“洪麗芬”。洪是我的姓，麗芬是非常女性化的名字，中文含義代表美麗的香氣。的確，上述三個字代表了我是誰。
What are the 3 key dates of your life?
什麼是你的三個重要日期?
> 1956
> 1977
> 2017
<1956 > is my birth year. I was born in 1956 in Hsinchu, the northwest of Taiwan. Hsinchu is an ancient city with a good atmosphere for reading and enjoying traditional cultural activities. I was raised and been inspired there during my childhood. Specially, inspired by my art teachers who inspired me at different period of time, Hsieh Rong-Pan(謝榮潘)and Xiao Ru-Song(蕭如松)
1956年我出生。 我出生在台灣西北部的新竹。新竹是一個古老的城市，有良好的閱讀和傳統文化活動氛圍。童年時期，我在那兒成長，並在那裡受到啟發。特別啟發我的是不同時期的美術老師，謝榮潘和蕭如松。
<1977> is the year I graduated from Shih Chien University, where I studied under many great teachers, such as my Art professors : LIAO Te-Cheng(廖德政) and Chang Ching-Chih(張清治). And also my teacher Hong Su-Hsin(洪素馨), Lin Cheng-Chih(林澄枝) who taught as about aesthetics, clothing and etiquette.
1977年我從實踐大學畢業，在那裡我跟隨幾位恩師，如我的藝術教授廖德政和張清治, 以及教授美學，服裝和禮儀的洪素馨和林澄枝老師。
<2017> next year is a key milestone, because it will be my 40th year anniversary in this field: Fashion/ Design. I have been around for 40 years! I feel proud of myself when I look back, and when I see everything that has been achieved. It’s a major accomplishment to me: 40 years…
2017明年是一個關鍵的里程碑，因為它將是我在這個領域工作的40週年紀念：服裝/設計。在這領域已經有40年了！當我回頭看，我看到已經實現的一切，我感到自豪。這是對我付出的肯定：40年…
When did you decide to create your own fashion label? How did the project born in your mind?
你何時決定建立自己的品牌?這個念頭是如何誕生的?
Actually, there has never been a triggered point. It was like my destiny, I was born for that, and studying fashion design made me naturally willing to create my own brand to present my pieces of design. The thing is, since I was in Shih Chien University I was working in fashion & design. And even before that, I was helping friends in their respective projects plus doing my little things at a small scale. To be honest, creativity and design have always been part of my life under different forms.
事實上，沒有一個觸發點。命運安排，讓服裝成為我的所學，從事服裝工作，自然而然想走進自己的設計品牌。就像有天我突然醒來時，告訴自己：如果我有自己的品牌？ 因為我在實踐設計學院時，我就一直在時裝設計領域工作。甚至在那之前，我已經在幫助朋友們在各自的領域中，參與一起創造的工作，並同時進行我的一些小規模的創作。老實說，創意和設計一直以不同形式存在於我生活中。
So when has <Sophie HONG> become a fashion?
從什麼時候開始<Sophie HONG>開始流行?
When I gradually pictured myself in that industry after graduation, because my ambition was to get some overseas exposure. After everything I experienced in France, I knew the lesson was learnt. I was convinced that I needed to shoot for something bigger than Taiwan. So right away my name English <Sophie HONG> came to my mind as a signature that could be used internationally.
By the way, did I tell you how I got my western name <Sophie>?
One day, very long time ago, I went to a bar, and randomly I met a foreigner guy there. We started chitchatting and I asked him to give a cool foreigner name because my dream was to go to Paris… The guy looked at me and said: “Sophie”. “This is a nice French name for a young woman. You should be called Sophie”. And I liked it, par hasard. From that day, my western name has been being Sophie, and I have been using it as a trademark for my brand <Sophie HONG>. Like this, if I get some exposure abroad, it’s easy for people to remember my fashion label brand. Plus, <Sophie> is also related to “Philosophy”, so I saw some common grounds in terms of meaning…
當我畢業後, 逐漸在此行業中自我描繪，我期待要獲得一些海外曝光。在法國經歷國外的一切後，我從其中學習到許多。我相信我需要看的比在台灣更遠大些。所以我用我的外文名字<Sophie HONG>來作為一個國際上可以使用的名字。
順便一提，我告訴你我為什麼以<Sophie>作為我的英語名字？
很久以前，我在一間酒吧，偶然的在那裡遇到了一個外國人。我們閒聊，請他給我一個很酷的外國人的名字，因為我的夢想是去巴黎…這個傢伙看著我說：“蘇菲。 “這是一個很好的法國年輕女人的名字。你應該叫蘇菲“。剛好我也喜歡， 從那天開始，我的外文名字就是Sophie，開始以<Sophie HONG>作為我的品牌商標。就這樣，也方便在海外讓外國人們容易記住我的時尚品牌。另外，<Sophie>也與“哲學”相關，所以我在這上面看到了一些共同的意含…
Let’s talk about Creativity. Creativity requires different set of skills and knowledge. So what is the most important thing school taught you?
讓我們談談創造力。 創造力需要不同的知識和技能。 那麼，學校教會你最重要的是什麼？
Shih Chien University taught me the fundamentals learning of etiquettes, the respect for others, and the aesthetics of self-respect. Our training were comprehensive, such as take good care of family and team working, honour and shame, and doing sports so that we had good energy and great attitude for practice and execution. Of course, they taught me the basics about design. Without solid foundations, sometimes it’s very challenging to achieve something. Eight hours a day, six days a week, as a student I was very focused on my self-development. I put a lot attention on basic technical skills. When you master the basics, you can free yourself to reinvent a process making and to revisit things with your own sensitivity and inspiration. This is a major seed to grow creativity.
實踐大學教我禮儀，學會尊重他人和美學修養等做人做事的態度，是很全面的，視家庭教育，禮義廉恥，團體，體育的訓練基礎，使我們有一定的實踐和執行力。在服裝設計系，習技藝和設計的基礎。 沒有堅實的基礎，對實現理想是非常困難且具有挑戰的。 每天8小時，每週6天，作為一個學生，我非常專注於我的自我發展。 我非常注意基本的技術技能。當你掌握基礎知識，你可以在重新創造過程中釋放自己，並重新審視自己敏感和靈感的地方。它是使能增長創造力的主要種子。
Tell us about your student exchange program in France?
請跟我們分享你在法國的學習經驗?
In fact, from 1994 to 1996, I went to France for study thanks to a two-year scholarship. In fact, this program was only for experienced professional and it was sponsored by Taiwan’s government: the International Cooperation Department. That experience was a great opportunity for me to see something different than Taiwan.
1994 到1996年，因著獲得只供各領域專業人才的”中法技術交流”專案，獲得前往法國高級時裝公會學校深造的機會，這是法國外交部及台灣經濟部國際合作處共同獎學金，是個很好的機會，讓我看見與台灣不同的經驗。
To me traveling is a key. I mean embracing and exploring new cultures is what I like: Africa, USA, Europe, China, India, etc. Because of knowing those places, I appreciate more and more where I come from, the special roots of my culture. Traveling remains the best way to learn about my-self and about others.
For studying in France, first I learned French at the Language Center in NTNU. Afterwards, I spent six months in Besancon (France) to improve my French skills and to get familiar with the environment like the weather, the terrain and also the cultural part: such as the famous music academy, the maison of Victor Hugo, the salt field history and many other ateliers and artisans I discovered during that period of time. I am very grateful for the help of the French teacher who taught in National Taiwan University, Françoise Zylberberg, who had nicely introduced me to her contacts she had in France, and led me participating in the life exchange within a French family and with some friends, so that we could have profound exchanges. I thought it was a smooth way to immerse into the French lifestyle. At that period, I took some time to go to Morteau, the famous city of watch where I learnt more about fine watch-making industry before finally going to Paris.
Paris… I went to study at École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne* and started to live in Paris downtown…
對我來說旅行是一把鑰匙。 我的意思是，我喜歡擁抱和探索新文化：非洲，美國，歐洲，中國，印度等古文明發展。因為認識瞭解，而更加珍惜自己文化的根本與特殊性。旅行仍然是了解自我和他人最好的方式。
經安排前往法國學習，先在師大法語中心學習法語半年，而後來到貝桑松（Besancon法國東部鄰近瑞士邊界）渡過六個月，以提高我的法語技能，並認識到環境，如天氣，地形和文化部分，如著名的音樂學院，維克多雨果的出生地，鹽田歷史，和許多其他工作室和工匠。因著台灣大學教授法文的施蘭芳老師幫助，她細心介紹聯絡引薦，讓我參與真正法國人的生活圈，與他們深刻的交流。我認為這是一個很好沉浸在法國生活氛圍的方式。在那段時間，我花了時間去了Morteau（法國杜省的一個城市），在那裡有著名的手錶城，在前去巴黎之先，有機會學習更多關於精品產業設計製作。
巴黎…我在巴黎時裝學院學習，並開始在巴黎的生活…
* The school was founded in 1927 by “the Haute Couture Union” as a place to nurture designers, and these fashion houses have turned today’s talents into highly skilled professionals who will guide and define tomorrow’s fashion.
Through the years, the school has experienced several changes that have forged its reputation and given it the place it has today in the fashion world.
學校成立於1927年的 “the Haute Couture union”，成為培育設計師和高級時裝工藝師的工坊，將今天的人才轉變為高技能的專業人士，他們將指引和定義明日的時尚。
多年來，學校經歷了幾個變化，現在已經建立了它的聲譽， 在時尚世界佔有一席之地。
How was it to meet Fashion in Paris?
當時在巴黎的時尚是怎麼樣的呢?
I was ready for that, because in Taiwan I already started to be involved in fashion design for 15 years. After many years of experience in this field, I was ready to move on for a bigger stage. Before going to Paris, I was already designing my own stuff and participating to some fashion shows. Let’s say I was experienced, so when I joined the school École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, I was offered to be an assistant teacher. I really met great teachers there, such as our school director Mr. Marco: we had a lot of enjoyment and sharing. Thanks to those teachers, I was privileged to visit and to enter into some Paris fashion maisons*. I was really lucky to get access to the best Paris fashion maisons workshops, where I saw the most delicate hands crafting garments for some of the most exquisite Parisian fashion brands. Eventually with the endorsement of my teachers, I spent a Spring-Summer series and an Autumn-Winter series at Christian Dior and Chanel workshops. It was a full year of inspiration! At that moment, it became clear in my mind: I must go to Paris, New York, Tokyo, Milan and London…those international stages, in order to show the creative skills of Taiwan in Fashion and Design. As a result, I went back to Paris after my graduation to work there and to be in touch with the Parisian fashion community.
我準備好了，因為在台灣我已經從事發表創作時裝設計15年。做了這麼久服裝，在各方面都有經驗，準備好要去認識更大的舞台。在去巴黎前，就已經在設計我的東西和參加一些時裝秀。所以我有足夠的經驗，當我加入學校École de la Chambre時，老師也識我為一名助理教師。我真的遇到很多好老師，像是當時的校長Mr. Marco先生：我們有很多的享受和分享。我很幸運，感謝我的老師，我可以籍由學習訪問到巴黎最好的時裝殿堂工坊，在那裡我看到最精緻的手藝，為一些最精緻的巴黎時尚品牌*製作服裝。因著老師們的認可和幫助，我來到克里斯汀·迪奧 （Christian Dior）和香奈兒（Chanel）工作室度過了春夏系列和秋冬系列，得到完整一年的服裝產業經驗和靈感！在那一刻，在我心裡變得清楚：我必須去巴黎，紐約，東京，米蘭，倫敦等國際舞台，展現台灣時尚和設計的創造力。結果，我在專案結束後，仍持續回到巴黎工作，並與巴黎時尚圈接觸。
*Paris Fashion Houses such as Pierre Cardin, Christian Dior, Chanel.
So when has <Sophie HONG> become a fashion?
從什麼時候開始<Sophie HONG>開始流行?
When I gradually pictured myself in that industry after graduation, because my ambition was to get some overseas exposure. After everything I experienced in France: the lesson was learnt. I was convinced that I needed to shoot for something bigger than Taiwan. So right away my name English <Sophie HONG> came to my mind as a signature that could be used internationally.
By the way, did I tell you how I got my western name <Sophie>?
One day, very long time ago, I went to a bar, and randomly I met a foreigner guy there. We started chitchatting and I asked him to give a cool foreigner name because my dream was to go to Paris… The guy looked at me and said: “Sophie”. “This is a nice French name for a young woman. You should be called Sophie”. And I liked it, par hasard. From that day, my western name has been being Sophie, and I have been using it as a trademark for my brand <Sophie HONG>. Like this, if I get some exposure abroad, it’s easy for people to remember my fashion label brand. Plus, <Sophie> is also related to “Philosophy”, so I saw some common grounds in terms of meaning…
當我在畢業後逐漸在行業中自我描繪，我期待要獲得一些海外曝光。在法國經歷國外的一切後：我學習到了。我相信我需要看的比台灣更遠大些。所以我以我的外文名字<Sophie HONG>來作為一個國際上可以使用的名字。
順便一提，我告訴你我為什麼以<Sophie>作為我的英語名字？
很久以前，我在一間酒吧，偶然的在那裡遇到了一個外國人。我們閒聊，請他給我一個很酷的外國人的名字，因為我的夢想是去巴黎…這個傢伙看著我說：“蘇菲。 “這是一個很好的法國年輕女人的名字。你應該叫蘇菲“。剛好我也喜歡， 從那天開始，我的外文名字就是Sophie，開始以<Sophie HONG>作為我的品牌的商標。就這樣，也方便在海外讓外國人們容易記住我的時尚品牌。另外，<Sophie>也與“哲學”相關，所以我在創上看到了一些共同的意含…
Let’s talk about Creativity. Creativity requires different set of skills and knowledge. So what is the most important thing school taught you?
讓我們談談創造力。 創造力需要不同的知識和技能。 那麼，學校教會你最重要的是什麼？
Shih Chien University taught me the fundamentals learning of etiquettes, the respect for others, and the aesthetics of self-respect. Our training were comprehensive, such as take good care of family and team working, honour and shame, and doing sports so that we had good energy and great attitude for practice and execution. Of course, they taught me the basics about design. Without solid foundations, sometimes it’s very challenging to achieve something. Eight hours a day, six days a week, as a student I was very focused on my self-development. I put a lot attention on basic technical skills. When you master the basics, you can free yourself to reinvent a process making and to revisit things with your own sensitivity and inspiration. This is a major seed to grow creativity.
實踐大學教我禮儀，學會尊重他人和美學修養等做人做事的態度，是很全面的，視家庭教育，禮義廉恥，團體，體育的訓練基礎，使我們有一定的實踐和執行力。在服裝設計系，習技藝和設計的基礎。 沒有堅實的基礎，對實現理想是非常困難具有挑戰的。 每天8小時，每週6天，作為一個學生，我非常專注於我的自我發展。 我非常注意基本的技術技能。當你掌握基礎知識，你可以在重新創造過程中釋放自己，並重新審視自己敏感和靈感的地方。它是使能增長創造力的主要種子。
How much Art is an enabler in your fashion creativity process?
藝術在你的時尚創造過程中扮演多重要的動力？
I want to be different and outstanding, which is definitely a creativity enabler for my creativity process because I nurture my fashion creativity with some Art insights.
First, in terms of the interactions, I work with many artists: mostly musicians, performers and dancers… I help designing clothing for their performances. It means I need to enter into other’s art concepts to understand what are their needs. I also design some uniforms for the staff of the National Palace Museum, Taipei Fine Art Museum…for those art staff members. I also do some puppets for Opera. I try to share with the artist community my taste for design and aesthetics.
Secondly, since 2010, after Françoise Zylberberg, the founder of the library Le Pigeonnier in Taipei, I became the supervisor of this book shop. Clearly, in that project there is an educational positioning and purpose via Art, Literature, Writing, to touch people from a different ways than Fashion and Design.
Art is a dialogue with people. I need to communicate on how the role of clothing can reflect the life pace of our society, can affect liberty of wearing and social status. And for my part, it will be about precision, the detail and the quality of producing. Sometimes I need to spend time in my workshop, like in a laboratory to test process making, for revisiting traditional fabrics design, such as Mud Silk for example. Art is a way for me to express the diversity of interests I have.
希望與眾不同絕對是我創作過程的動力之一，因為我透過一些藝術洞察力培養了我的時尚創意。首先，在互動方面，我與許多藝術家合作：大多是音樂家，表演者和舞蹈家…我幫助他們設計演出服裝，在造形上做表現。這意味著我需要了解彼此的藝術想法概念，以了解他們的需求。我還為國立故宮博物館，台北美術館等重要從事藝文工作的人員設計了制服。我也為歌劇做了一些木偶。我試圖與藝術家們分享我的設計和美學觀。
其次，自2010年開始，我接任施蘭芳老師位在台北松江路上的法文書店Le Pigeonnier，成為書店負責人。顯然地，這是另一種通過藝術，文學，寫作，以教育立場和目的，觸及人們不同於時尚和設計的方式。
藝術是與人們的對話。我需要溝通，以展示服裝的作用，它是如何能夠反映我們社會的生活，如穿戴的搭配自由和財富水平。在我的部分，則是反應在精確，細節和具品質的生產上。有時候，我需要花時間在我的工作室，如同在實驗室測試製作過程，重新研究傳統布料設計，例如絲綢。藝術是一種表達我多樣興趣的方式。
Sophie HONG: 40 years in the industry…
Sophie HONG 在時尚產業40年
Thanks to my co-worker, my family, my friends, my influencers, and my piece collectors… I hope with all the people that have been with me in this long journey, we are going to be able to leave a mark. That will be my biggest pride. Because at the end of the day, the question is: what will be left?
感謝我的工作夥伴，我的家人，我的朋友，對我有影響力的人，我的收藏者…我希望在這個漫長的旅程中，與我在一起的所有的人，我們能夠留下一個品牌。 這將是我最大的驕傲。因為在結束的這一天，我們會問：什麼會留下來？
What is the piece of advice that you would like to share for someone in Taiwan who wants to have a long lasting career like yours?
對於想要擁有像你這樣的深耕長遠職業生涯的台灣人來說，您想分享什麼建議？
First, I have to acknowledge that Taiwan and the world have changed a lot in the past 40 years: politically, economically, society changes…. Taiwan turned out to be more open, more international with less borders. Therefore, certain things nowadays are different… What I see today is bit more challenge to find some people willing to take this long race. It’s not an issue only in fashion design, around me, a lot of friends from different industries are making the same observations. Sometimes people give-up the race despite their talents because it’s a long race. Hopefully, Revver is here and you are going to keep it up the movement!
I think most importantly is to have faith in what you do and try to have a long-term view. The more you share with others, the more you learn from others.
過去40年：政治，經濟，社會變遷….因此，現在的某些事情是不同的，像是台灣變得開放，國際間無距離邊界…我今日看到的產業是，越來越少有人願意投入這樣的長程耐力戰。 這不是只有時尚設計界，在我身邊，也觀察到很多來自不同行業的朋友面對這樣的課題。 有時人們，儘管他們很有天賦，但因為這是一個漫長的賽程，而放棄這個持久耐力的挑戰。 希望，Revver在這裡，你會能保持住！
我認為最重要的是，要相信你在做的什麼，並試圖有長遠的看法。 你與他人分享得越多，你從別人那裡學到的就越多。
What kind of little girl were you during your childhood?
孩童時期你是一個怎麼樣的小女孩？
My father was doctor working in the health clinic during the Japanese colonization in Taiwan. So I guess, maybe because of him or like him, I was not afraid to see some blood. I have a very intuitive personality, I was very active always enjoyed being involved in any activities, where I could be in touch with cultural input: music, dancing… I was not really into so-called “regular” things like studying accounting or I was not the typical little princess girl. I was a happy little girl and enjoying shopping in traditional market with my mom and being curious of everything. Fashion came to my life when a friend of my mom, who was an art teacher in school, told us that Shih Chien University had a great Fashion & Design department, and at that time Taiwan was lacking of designers, so it made sense to give a try. Given that I had a good score at my final test after high school, I chose to join Shih Chien University. If I’m not mistaken, Shih Chien is nowadays among the top 30 best Fashion Design School in the world according to some rankings.
我的父親是在日本殖民台灣時期衛生所的醫療人員。 所以我想，也許因為他，或像他一樣，我不怕看到血。 我是個性非常直覺強烈的人，而且非常活躍，總是喜歡參與各種領域的活動：音樂，跳舞……我不喜歡從事所謂“規律”的東西，例如學習會計。我也不是典型的小公主女孩。我是一個快樂的小女孩，我很愛狗，狗是最親人的同伴。我喜歡與媽媽上傳統市場，看市場裡好玩的東西，我對一切都很好奇。後來服裝設計進入我的生活，當一位媽媽的朋友，也是一位美術老師告訴我們，實踐大學有很好的時裝設計部門，台灣也缺乏設計師。這對我而言，是有意義的嘗試。同時我在高中最後的考試中，獲得很好的成績，因而選擇加入實踐大學。 如果我沒有記錯，根據現在的一些排名，實踐大學設計學院已是進入世界前30名的設計學校之一。
When you see the tough competition in terms of Design Schools and so many international talented designers? What’s your feeling for the Taiwanese talents?
當你看到在設計學校，以及國際上那麼多有才華的設計師互相激烈競爭，你對台灣人才的感覺是什麼？
I really encourage them to express their personality: be yourself. Try to develop your own sensitivity and creativity: don’t be afraid to be outstanding. Don’t be influenced by the commercial market, and express your own talents. But what do you think at Revver?
我鼓勵他們表達自己的個性：呈現自我。 嘗試發展自己的敏銳與爆發力：不要害怕成為傑出的人。不畏懼市場左石，坦誠展現才華特色。你呢? 從Revver的角度怎麼看呢？
At Revver what we see is a significant number of talents in Taiwan in Fashion Design. We are glad to see that those people try to combine their own story with some references to their Taiwanese cultural, but also with some opened-mindedness on input coming from outside. There is a dialogue between Taiwan and overseas Fashion scene, which is a great mutual benefit in terms of inspiration. But in some families, Fashion Art is not yet a vocation well accepted by the old generation… Some struggle very hard to find their way.
在Revver我們看到的是在台灣的大量時尚設計的人才。 我們很高興看到，那些人試圖將自己的故事與一些他們的台灣文化結合起來，但也對來自國外想法保持一種開放的態度。台灣與海外時尚界對話，在靈感上有很大的互惠。 但在一些家庭，時尚藝術還不是一個保守的世代能接受的職業…，有些人很難找到自己的方式。
Being a role model in France. Being a role in Taiwan. How do you live with these etiquettes?
作為法國的好榜樣。及在台灣扮演好角色。你如何生活在這些禮俗裡呢？
I take it with life philosophy. The most important is to keep doing your things, what you should do and what you aim to do.
我用生活哲學。 最重要的是繼續做該做的事，做想做的事。
What’s next for you?
你的下一步？
In France, I have opened my boutique in an ancient historical building at Le Palais Royal in Paris since 2010; I have some coming events happening there, that’s for the short-term. In 2017, we also have a project to publish my experiences in the field of clothing design and creation. On the long run, we start to work on a big project to come in 2020: I will participate in a textile exhibition at Le Musée de la Piscine in Roubaix (France). It’s not for now but we start to get prepared little by little.
I try not to forget about my roots in Taiwan, I am going to be involved in some art and cultural manifestations. We are going to collaborate with local artisans, in order to show varieties from different local specialities.
2010年在法國，開設了我位於巴黎古蹟歷史建築Le Palais-Royal中的服飾店。計劃在那裡舉辦一些短期的文化交流活動。 2017年也有出版書的計劃，當中會整理出長久以來的創作和產業經驗。從長程計劃在2020年，我們著手進行大型展覽計劃：我受邀在法國Roubaix的Le Muséede la Piscine展出我的織品Sophie Hong Silk和創作。我們已經開始逐一準備。我盡量不要忘記我在台灣的根，我積極參與藝術和文化發展。我們將與台灣當地工藝師合作，展示不同地方的特色和產品。
If I say circus… What comes to your mind?
如果我提到馬戲團，這讓你聯想到什麼？
Circus… You revive some of my childhood memories about those performances at Hsinchu, the performances at Chungseong Mermorial Plaza and the Performing Art Centre there. It was magical to see live art performance and animals… I remember in Hsinchu, when I was little, I attended a circus performance made by some foreigners who rode motorbikes under a marquee. It was amazing! I respect those artists using their great skills and body to challenge and boost our imagination. Nowadays, thanks to the cooperation with Taiwan Asia Puppet Museum, we have travelled around the world to see the newest puppet shows. They are no longer a circus show under a tent… The circus creations become even more theatrical, more modern with technology, in a way they reflect a bit all the trends changes in our life.
馬戲團… 你讓我想起一些童年在新竹的回憶，關於在中正堂紀念廣場和表演中心看到的演出，曾看到神奇的藝術和動物表演…。我記得在新竹，當我還小的時後，曾我參觀外國人騎著摩拖車在地球儀中轉的馬戲表演。 那是驚人的！我尊敬那些藝術表演家，使用他們偉大的技能向身體極限挑戰，遠超乎我們想像。 因著與台原亞洲偶戲博物館多次合作，到世界各地看新的偶戲創作表演，認識今日的馬戲團不僅僅是在帳篷裡的表演，大型的偶進入空間與環境互動。創作形式更劇場化，更加科技未來，更進入我們的生活。
