VINTAGE FLAIR
The fun is in the find for fashion designer Hannah Kong who is always on the hunt for vintage designer pieces
S ome people contemplate on pretty china plates. Others, on collectible comics or stamps. But for fashion designer Hannah Kong, she finds pleasure in stylish finds. She has been collecting vintage clothing for about five years now and has even scored a rare Oscar de la Renta printed ball skirt from the States. “It’s a very fun piece with loud colors and an abstract print. It reminds me of Matisse paintings because of the colors,” she explains. The skirt is one of her favorite pieces from her growing collection of vintage with designers like Valentino, Balenciaga, and Bill Blass.
Like most designers, Hannah has an innate fetish for craftsmanship. “With vintage pieces, one can really feel a sense of artistry,” she says. When looking for old designer pieces, she prefers those that represent a certain decade.
With vintage pieces, one can really feel a sense of artistry.
“The pieces that attract me the most look quirky, the ones with a unique silhouette. Sometimes if I’m looking for a certain designer, I make sure to look for the piece that represents his or her aesthetic the most,” she says.
She is still searching for that covetous, elusive vintage Cristóbal Balenciaga dress or jacket and a Madame Grés dress. “The construction on their pieces are simply divine,” she says with much enthusiasm. “You can feel the hard work that went into the construction of those pieces.” Surprisingly, Hannah’s creations also have a touch of vintage. Her love for nostalgia is seen through her craftsmanship. Her fondness for lace and embroidery is reminiscent of a scene from an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel. “Most vintage pieces are unique,” she says. And little does she know, the exact same thing can be said for her designs.