Vivienne Tam mixes menswear into Fall 2012 women’s collection

A look from Vivienne Tam’s Mongolia-inspired Fall 2012 collection.
(photo by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine)

For her fall collections, Hong Kong-raised fashion designer Vivienne Tam typically pays tribute to her roots with references to Chinese New Year. Four years ago, for example, in a playful nod to the Year of the Rat, Tam incorporated Mickey Mouse into a couple of traditional cheongsam.

This time, however, Tam did not pay an obvious homage to the dragon – already frequently featured in her designs – and took a different approach. Her Fall 2012 collection, titled “Shangri-La Remix,” was inspired by her travels to Mongolia.

“She is a world traveler like myself,” Tam told Meniscus Magazine about the type of woman who embodies her latest collection. “The place she loves the most is the Shangri-La. It reminds her so much of the movie – like James Hilton’s [book] “Shangri-La” – “Lost Horizon.” It’s really about an escape from the world.”

Mixing masculine touches such as bomber jackets and blazers with elements of Mongolian costumes, Tam presented one of her most interesting collections in several years. She pointed in particular to how she often saw locals wearing skirts over pants during her time in the country.

The fictional setting of Hilton’s timeless utopia in the Himalayan mountains continues a spiritual journey for Tam, who made her yoga wear debut two seasons ago in a collaboration with Chinese apparel company Li Ning. A New York resident, she prefers to find that inner peace by practicing the discipline in the comfort of her own home.

“It’s so crowded when you go to yoga studios,” Tam said with a smile when asked about her favorite studios in town. “You can’t even move!”

Watch Vivienne Tam’s full interview with Meniscus Magazine below.

Video: An interview with Vivienne Tam – Fall 2012 New York Fashion Week