#ONETOWATCH FROM FASHIONCLASH FESTIVAL 2018: Pu Tianqu

OFFICE BOY is the title of the menswear collection by Pu Tianqu. The young Chinese designer unveiled his vision of a yong man during Fashionclash Festival 2018. And we love it. “I’m finding out who I’m by doing design. Religion is considered as an answer of philosophical issues.in these cases, fashion is my religion.” says the designer.. we had a chat with him about his work.

Name: Pu Tianqu / Age: 23 / Hometown: ZhangJiaGang，JiangSu. It’s a small town near ShangHai. / Menswear or Womenswear: Menswear

KALTBLUT: Fashion – My Religion.. what does this means to you?

I used to feel self-abased and afraid of talking. I was confused about myself. I put myself in my design researches and I find personal answers in the end. Step by step it builds up my existence through getting self-confidence and security, which are in general considered as one of functions of religion. I’m finding out who I’m by doing design. Religion is considered as an answer of philosophical issues.in these cases, fashion is my religion.

KALTBLUT: Hello. Welcome to KALTBLUT. Why have you decided to participate at FASHIONCLASH Festival?

I knew about FashionClash Festival since 2 years ago. I was attracted at the very beginning of the creative and playful garments on the runway. FashionClash Festival offers a great opportunity not just for young graduates like me, also for designers in their early careers to showcase their talents. The festival brings together diverse aesthetics from all over the world. I want to be a part of it! And finally I have once feeling confident to my work，I don’t want to just store they in my wardrobe.

KALTBLUT: Can you tell us something about the collection you presented at the FASHIONCLASH Festival 2018? What was your inspiration?

From Erwin Wurm’s sculpture, the sense of humor and humiliation interrogates me how we behave ourselves and who we actual are. You may not find influences of Erwin Wurm’s work in my design, that’s how inspiration works to me. It makes me think. The outcome related or not to inspiration itself.

We are forced to follow a set of rules, some of which are inevitably against our desires. We all looking for freedom but not all of us have the pride to challenge rules. Is there a solution to remain the balance of reality and individual willingness? This collection is a personal exploration of the question. With thinking about the question, I read an interview about baby fetish. I couldn’t help thinking about the relationship between interviewees and the society. Their serious and reliable looking faces remind me my mom’s colleagues at financial office.

This collection is designed for a young professional, who is also an adult baby, new to his job in a finance department. He is struggling from hiding himself under the suits or wearing what he desires. I get inspired by office wear, working content and the interview, from where I found their characteristics and interests.

KALTBLUT: What kind of material did you used for the collection?

The background of the collection is in an office. For sure I used fabrics common for men’s’ fashion like fresh wool, gabardine, poplin, etc. Based on their multiple interests to fetish from the interview，The collection contains lycra, rubber and leather. There is also an unconventional material calls Tyvek, a material with a paper texture in the collection.

KALTBLUT: What challenges did you face during the design process?

One of the biggest challenges is to immigrate the erotic baby fetish into the serious office style but keep it away from becoming a sexual insinuation. After all you won’t trust a guy without a reliable look in the office, right? One of the solution is putting baby fetish in details, such as the hat attaches on the shirts. The idea is coming from the baby hat. The shirt collar as brim creates the office baby look. Another challenge is to combine all the elements to make a cohesive collection in time. There are too many elements based on my research. Deadline is always a big challenge.

KALTBLUT: How would you describe yourself and your work?

I’m kind of naïve and shy. I‘m from a small town in china,. There are not so many things to do that I need to find ways to cheer me up, maybe that’s why I like to create. My work is contemporary and playful. I wish to be liked instead of giving depression to others.

KALTBLUT: What would you say that is the biggest influence to your design process?

My design process is influenced by myself and social issues. I see design as an expression, a statement of myself. I always inspired by a social issue and then I have a debut simulation in my head so my thoughts are always changing but reasonable, it causes my curiosity and interest to dig out what I really want. It’s also similar to my design process, make conflicts then make it smooth.

KALTBLUT: If you had not become a fashion designer, what would you do instead?

Maybe a chef. Even I don’t understand how such a foody I am!

KALTBLUT: Who’s your dream client?

My dream client is cute young boys like me:). He doesn’t need clothes to build a person he wants to be/ to give confidence to himself. He likes himself and doesn’t feel shame to show it.

KALTBLUT: What was the first item you have ever designed? And who was the lucky one to get it?

The first item I have ever designed is a typeface. I didn’t give it to anyone. I’m the lucky guy to have it, hahaha.

KALTBLUT: What can we expect from you in near future?

I wish to have my own brand, but I don’t think It’s starting soon. There are so many questions I need to have answers in mind to start my own business. I just graduated from a college. I need time to understand what’s really going on in the real world and to know about customers. I need to gain experiences from companies. Maybe you will find me in a design studio in Milan, Berlin or Antwerp. Let’s see what I can have.