Interview with Jeffrey Wan You Sew

Jeff Wan is an American luxury fashion company established in 2018. Made for the urban minimalist, and animated with the colors and culture of Mauritius, our line of small leather goods and handbags celebrates ultra-premium design at its most transportive.On an individual level, each of our pieces works to tell a unique story in which the ordinary becomes anything but. From our premium gym bag, reimagined lunch box, and everything in between, Jeff Wan brings together imagination and utility in colorful and unexpected ways. The result is an island-hopping collection that feels at home in both Manhattan and the Mascarenes.All of our products are named in Mauritian Creole and handmade from the highest quality leather in New York’s Garment District.

Design is the ability to create an experience that is aesthetically pleasing, functional that will make an impact on the user.

I like to design accessories using leather as the main material.

My current favorite design is the Grand Baie Gym Bag currently in our line. I enjoy going to the gym and it is the perfect bag for me. It can be worn as a tote and as backpack.

I started designing graphics and guidelines for Diesel when I interned with their department stores operations team.

I enjoy using leather in my designs. It comes in many varieties, textures and handfeel.

I feel the most creative during a workout. I often come up with my best ideas while working out. I am more focused and in my own bubble.

I focus a lot on aesthetic when designing. I like a product that looks good and easy on the eyes. Then I will figure out the function and production method.

I feel very ambitious and excited when designing. Whenever I have a new idea I want to have it on paper and figure it out right away so I don’t lose my train of thought.

It is very exciting to see your ideas come to life. But I also feel anxious to see how people react to it.

A design is successful when it gives the customer a new experience and the excitement to have the product.

I would consider the aesthetic of the design then the functionality. It has to be functional.

A designer should adapt a sustainable design process from the beginning. From designing, to sourcing materials to the production of goods. The designer should also design for its consumer and environment by taking into consideration of the demands of the society, the culture and whether it is appropriate for that region.

The design field is going at a faster pace with new technology and prototyping methods. The future of design will be to create an emotional experience beyond the aesthetic and function of the product.

My last show was at New York Fashion Week. I would love to exhibit in Paris one day.

My design inspiration comes from my daily life in New York and the memories from my childhood in Mauritius. I like a good workout to fuel my creativity.

I like to think minimal when designing. A good design does not need much. After designing a product, I like to animate it with colors, textures and embellishment if necessary and according to trends.

I currently live in New York but I am from Mauritius. I mainly use New York and Mauritius as the main source of inspiration. New York is full of resources and definitely helps my designs. We have a lot of museums for inspirations and research. The competition is high in New York and everything is fast paced.

I have worked for different companies such as Diesel, DKNY, Kenneth Cole, Michael Kors and Coach. I keep in touch with them and sometimes go back to freelance when they need me. I try to stay flexible when working with other companies and adapt to their culture and design language.

The company should select a designer based on his design aesthetic and what he can achieve for the brand. Review the designer’s portfolio and let the work speaks for itself. Then asked for recommendations about the designer’s working process.

I am usually more creative when I am at the gym doing a work out. I would often brainstorm and design things in my head. Once I get to the studio, I would sketch everything on paper. I would then do my research based on my designs. After my research, I would put a mood board together with the rough sketches and inspirations. I would look for materials and add it to the board. I would refine the design as needed and add it to the board.

I like objects that combines different materials:A night lamp made with concrete and metal.The espresso machine.A circular mirror with a wooden frame.The media console made of wood and metal.Candles

I would wake up and drink an espresso to start my day. I try to get my workout in the morning so that I can have the rest of the day to do whatever I have to get done. I would then check all emails and catch up on some social media. Then it is all business tasks from accounting to legal matters and research. Design is a very small amount of what I do currently as an entrepreneur.

Spend some time working for established companies and learn as much as you can. Talk to your cross functional partners from product development to merchandising. It will help a lot to learn the relationships with suppliers and factories, to marking up your product and having a strong assortment.

Designing something and seeing it come to life is very rewarding. But there are always limitations with production and of course the cost.

Be open to change.

Be open and flexible to criticism and change, adapt to the environment you are designing for and know your audience. Communicate your design intent clearly with your partners. Design smartly by having some options to narrow down, but don’t waste time designing a thousand options: know what you want.

I mainly use Illustrator to CAD my designs and spec. Hand sketching is always good to get the ideas on paper and doing rough sketches. I like going to museums for inspirations and looking at paintings for colors.

If a design is not working, do not waste time on it. Move on to the next project and come back to it later. Maybe you will have a fresh idea then. If not, throw it away.

It depends on the object. Some requires more time if you developing custom pieces to assemble it. Some are simple but needs more attention to construction. Usually a week or so. The development process and prototyping takes longer.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

My time at Coach helped me a lot. I learned about sourcing, materials and production. Learning about costing was very helpful for what I do now.

I have worked for Diesel, DKNY, Kenneth Cole, Michael Kors and Coach

I enjoy designing accessories. I believe an accessory makes the whole outfit and gives the customer the opportunity to express themselves.

I would like to be the creative director of one of the big fashion houses in the future.

I develop my own designs but work with a factory for production.

Fall/Winter 2019 coming up!

Through email contact@jeffwan.com or press@jeffwan.com