From Paris to Shanghai: UGG x Feng Chen Wang
Transitional gender-neutral designs include cold-weather essentials as well as deconstructed items fit to be worn in any season. We sat down with Feng Chen Wang to discuss the launch and take a look at the mood board that ultimately evolved into one of our favorite UGG drops yet.
How does this collection see evolution from your previous Ugg collaborations? What’s been the through line in all three?
As with previous seasons, UGG x Feng Chen Wang has been a balancing act of dissecting two brand identities and spontaneous experimentation, which spurs ideas and designs that reinvents UGG’s design philosophy but also reflects our DNA. This season, we have expanded our 3-in-1 footwear range to include apparels for the first time – which was a creative adventure of bringing together two cultures, two design philosophies and values.
What is the most exciting part in your experience, as a designer, in collaborating with other brands?
When I’m working on my mainline collection, the brand DNA and my personal stories lead the design process. However, when I am collaborating with other brands, there is already an existing brand story and design philosophy to work with and it’s more about combining my design language and the brand’s world to give birth to something new. I’ve been collaborating with brands who are the best in their fields, which has been great learning journeys on what will fit best and how I can bring something new to the table.
How do you feel aligned as a designer with Ugg, why do the pieces feel like a fitting canvas for your own creative ethos?
UGG has long been a style staple with its sheepskin and faux fur silhouettes. I saw an opportunity to deconstruct winter essentials into transitional gender-neutral pieces that could be worn across all four seasons. The hidden depth and layers of this collaboration reflects my hope of encouraging people to find the freedom and joy of wearing these pieces in their own individual way.
What was on the metaphorical and literal mood board for this collection? What were your references — what were you listening to, eating, smelling, watching?
The inspiration for this collection derived from four cities which has greatly taught, inspired, and nurtured me throughout my life – New York, Shanghai, London and Paris. I presented my first runway show in New York, I travel often between Shanghai and London where my studios are, and in 2022, we joined the official Paris Fashion Week calendar after showing during London Fashion Week since 2017.
Who are you designing for?
This collection is about balancing functionality with style while offering opportunities for personalization, and more. To that end, I’m designing for all regardless of gender, body shape, and age. Everyone can have their own way of styling each and different pieces together which is a core design philosophy of Feng Chen Wang.
