Taiwanese fashion designer Johan Ku (古又文), known for his sculpture-like knitwear, on Tuesday opened his first store in Taiwan, bringing his edgy style to his home market.
“I’m excited... this is my first independent store,” Ku said at the inauguration of his store, called Johan Ku Gold Label, at the Taipei Bellavita mall.
Ku rose to fame in Taiwan after his Emotional Sculpture collection grabbed the top prize in the avant-garde design category of the 2009 Gen Art’s Styles International Design Competition in New York.
Photo: Chen Yi-chuan, Taipei Tim
His knitwear also featured on the cover of the 2012 Tranoi Femme trade show magazine during Paris Fashion Week.
Ku is known for his chunky knitwear and use of yarn to make patterns.
“Many people know about my designs and specialties, but few have actually seen them,” Ku said. “After opening this store with my Taiwanese partner, people have the chance to see and touch my designs.”
The 36-year-old designer said that knitwear and cashmere are still his bestselling items overseas, even during summer, but the Taiwanese store is to feature cooler fabrics such as silk during summer.
The 247m2 store features 200 articles of clothing, accessories and leather goods. Ku’s clothes are sold in more than 20 locations in Japan, the US and Europe, but the Taipei store is the first to sell his designs exclusively.
Ku’s latest collections are on display in the store, including The Falling Beauty, which was inspired by the film The Hanging Garden.
“The protagonist of the film killed himself in a garden with blooming flowers, so besides using bright colors, I also used some gloomy colors to represent the withering of the blossoms,” Ku said.
“Walking into the store, I feel as if I have entered a museum and that the garments on display are like pieces of artwork,” said Taiwanese model and actress Puff Kuo (郭雪芙), who was a special guest at the opening.
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