Today we’d like to introduce you to Yu Wei Chu.
Yu, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Chu, Yu-Wei, and I was born in Tainan, Taiwan. During my childhood, my busy mother provided my two sisters and me with colored pens and paper. While watching cartoons or English nursery rhyme videos, we would doodle. Additionally, because my older sister wanted to learn to play the piano, my father arranged for all of us to learn piano and flute during elementary school. Gradually, drawing and music became integral parts of my daily life.
From a young age, I enjoyed creating clothes for my dolls by hand, observing various types of clothing, and experimenting with different styles for the dolls. During my junior and senior high school years, browsing through fashion magazines and watching fashion shows in the media became a way for me to relieve stress from studying, and I became increasingly drawn to fashion design.
Fueled by my passion for fashion and clothing design, after graduating from Tainan Girls’ Senior High School in 2016, I chose to pursue my dreams by enrolling in the Fashion Design program at university. Throughout my university years, I practiced creative thinking, learned fashion design drawing, computer technology for fashion, fabric selection, both machine and hand sewing techniques, and clothing photography as part of my coursework. I also interned in various fields related to fashion, such as fashion photography planning, collaborating seamlessly with photographers, models, and makeup artists.
Guided by international fashion information, I began preparing to apply for a master’s program in the United States during the summer vacation of my sophomore year. In the second semester of my senior year, I applied to the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), ranked 16th globally in the QS World University Rankings for Art and Design in 2023. The school offered me a scholarship of $25,000 (actually disbursed $29,166), and I also received a $32,000 scholarship from the Ministry of Education. After graduating from university, I immediately continued my studies at SCAD, opting for the longer thesis-based MFA program over the non-thesis MA program to prepare for possible future doctoral studies. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first year was spent attending classes online domestically, and I only went to the United States in the second year. Additionally, due to the pandemic, there were changes in the school’s course offerings, with no thesis courses offered during the summer, extending my study period from September 2020 to the end of 2023. During my studies, in addition to coursework, I served as a teaching assistant, teaching undergraduate students, and worked as a costume and styling assistant for the school’s internship films.
Studying abroad has enabled me to view the clothing industry from a global perspective and has expanded my cultural experiences and professional knowledge. My skills in innovative design thinking, fashion theory, software, and clothing design and production techniques have all been significantly enhanced, including using CLO 3D for clothing creation and virtual shooting simulations. My portfolio showcases a series of high-end women’s wear in different styles. My graduation design includes the design and production of a series of seven sets of women’s fashion (theme: the beauty and power of the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures in clothing folds), along with completing a rigorous master’s thesis. I also participated in the ICADFTT 2023 International Conference on Fashion Design, Fashion, and Textile Technology held in New York City, presenting a paper that won the Best Presentation Award. This represents my practical application of fashion design and industry trends in both theory and practice.
My professional skills include pattern making, draping, creative design, and theoretical research, all crucial for realizing any design. In addition, the master’s program has enhanced my understanding of customer research, fashion forecasting, and marketing, which in turn feed into my creativity and design.
My sister worked in the industry for a while before deciding to pursue a doctoral degree instead of staying in the office, which sparked my long-held desire for academic development. I believe pursuing a Ph.D. will allow me to delve deeper into clothing research and related product creation, contribute to education and industry connections, and inject greater energy into Taiwan’s clothing and related industries. Therefore, after obtaining my master’s degree, I actively prepared to apply for the doctoral program at the Graduate Institute of Design, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology. Starting in March, I have been working in Savannah, Georgia, as an Alterations Specialist at a bridal and formalwear company, customizing wedding dresses according to clients’ needs. I have also been accepted by a New York City fashion brand. Additionally, I received an invitation to teach as a contract instructor for a tailoring and design course at SCAD Atlanta for the upcoming semester. I do not limit myself to any specific career path in the future; my ideal is to continuously create, progress, and contribute professionally.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
After graduating, it was difficult to find my ideal job. I spent some time in LA but couldn’t find a position as a designer at a formalwear company. Eventually, I ended up working at a bridal store.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
With seven years of experience in the fashion industry, I specialize in custom design for women’s apparel, combining a unique blend of creativity and expertise. My focus spans both formal and casual wear, with a keen ability to craft diverse styles tailored to individual preferences and body shapes. As an MFA major in Fashion Design, I am proficient in MS Office and Adobe Creative Suite, excelling in the entire product creation process from concept to garment production. My skills include tracking emerging trends through market research, exploring market styles, and staying attuned to customer preferences. Additionally, I possess technical skills such as translating sketches into physical garments using tech packs, creating technical illustrations, editing paper patterns, and developing patterns from scratch. A well-organized, eager, and creative team player, I bring a wealth of experience to elevate collaborative efforts. My primary strengths lie in possessing strong clothing design and styling capabilities, coupled with meticulous attention to detail. On a personal level, I am characterized by diligence, responsibility, thoughtfulness, proactivity, and genuineness. I excel in team collaboration and communication, contributing positively to a collaborative work environment.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I am a diligent and responsible fashion apparel designer specializing in ready-to-wear, formal womenswear, gowns, wedding dresses, and couture suits. Known for a proactive, thoughtful, and genuine approach, I consistently create timeless elegance with meticulous attention to detail. I specialize in custom clothing design, creating unique garments tailored to clients’ preferences, allowing them to discover their style. I focus on clothing design that emphasizes multicultural integration and the fusion of Eastern and Western styles.
Pricing:
- Bridal gown $4000-$5000
- Suit $ 3000-4000
- Evening dress $ 3000-4000
- Accessory $500-1000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yuwchu20.myportfolio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chuyuweiart
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yu-wei-chu-b057471b3/
- Other: https://yuwchu20ad44.myportfolio.com
Image Credits
Yu Wei Chu
Fashion Design MFA Exhibition 2023
