by Aude
Back today to introduce a very Women Power infused fashion capsule: Angie Lau x Isabella Wren.
Angie Lau? Award-winning global journalist and former Bloomberg Lead News Anchor.
Isabella Wren? Fashion label launched by Sarah Chessis and aiming at empowering women and putting sustainability at its core by only producing on demand and therefore reducing waste.
With such a powerful duo behind this capsule, I thought that rather than just telling you about the highly desirable 27 pieces of the collection I should get to better understand who those two women are and why they have decided to join forces and launch “The Angie Collection 2018”.
Back today to introduce a very Women Power infused fashion capsule: Angie Lau x Isabella Wren.
Angie Lau? Award-winning global journalist and former Bloomberg Lead News Anchor.
Isabella Wren? Fashion label launched by Sarah Chessis and aiming at empowering women and putting sustainability at its core by only producing on demand and therefore reducing waste.
With such a powerful duo behind this capsule, I thought that rather than just telling you about the highly desirable 27 pieces of the collection I should get to better understand who those two women are and why they have decided to join forces and launch “The Angie Collection 2018”.
Hi Angie, Sarah … can you both tell us a little more about yourself and your background?
Angie: I am a veteran broadcaster, most recently lead anchor for Bloomberg Television, with the great privilege to have anchored to an audience of smart, engaged and thoughtful viewers in Hong Kong and internationally around the globe. I was born in Hong Kong, raised in Canada, worked in the U.S. and only came to Hong Kong seven years ago, having transferred from Chicago to Hong Kong. When Bloomberg TV offered me the opportunity, I jumped at the chance to report in one of the most exciting cities in the world as a foreign correspondent. Little did I know, that within a short time, I'd be given my own show. I am also a relatively new mother. My little boy is now 15 months old. Balancing career, a baby, travel and television has given me a greater perspective on how important it is for a woman to feel powerful and good about herself. It all has to be easy. And that's the vision behind the collection.
Sarah: I was born in the UK in Essex and my first job was as a sales girl when I was only 14 and I found myself quite good and talented at selling. Before founding my own fashion label – Isabella Wren – I worked for a leading stockbroker in London and then managed a financial services office in Singapore.
I believe that you both have a quite philanthropist vision of your business – Sarah through putting sustainability at the core of your business and Angie through your commitment to the Li Ka Shing Foundation – how have you come to this commitment and how has this one impacted your career?
Angie: Becoming a mother triggered this move from television to philanthropy and investing. I envisioned a future conversation with my child, who as any child will eventually ask, "Mommy, what do you do?" I'd answer, and he'd ask innocently, "What is television?" Our industry is changing, and I wanted to remain impactful. I'm lucky enough to have reached my professional Everest. This was an opportunity to be impactful in a different and more meaningful way. When I was offered the chance to work for the Li Ka Shing Foundation and the venture capital arm, Horizons Ventures, I saw this as a way I could use all my skills (and learn new ones!) to help grow businesses that would ultimately fuel philanthropy. It is a virtuous cycle I'm honoured to be a part of. I realize the easy thing to do as a mom would've been to stay in place. Starting a brand-new career is not easy. But I think the hard work put in today, will seed hopefully something incredible tomorrow. I'm doing it so that the future conversation I have with my child will be more meaningful and impactful about how I'm contributing to our global community.
Sarah: For a long time, especially after adopting my little girl, I have known that I wanted to build a fashion brand that supported woman. I want to teach my daughter the importance of empowering the female population around the world. I have seen the unconscionable amount of waste in the apparel industry and I knew from the beginning that I needed to put sustainability at the core of my brand and bring a product that lasted longer and was less costly to make. This is the all DNA of Isabella Wren.
Angie: I am a veteran broadcaster, most recently lead anchor for Bloomberg Television, with the great privilege to have anchored to an audience of smart, engaged and thoughtful viewers in Hong Kong and internationally around the globe. I was born in Hong Kong, raised in Canada, worked in the U.S. and only came to Hong Kong seven years ago, having transferred from Chicago to Hong Kong. When Bloomberg TV offered me the opportunity, I jumped at the chance to report in one of the most exciting cities in the world as a foreign correspondent. Little did I know, that within a short time, I'd be given my own show. I am also a relatively new mother. My little boy is now 15 months old. Balancing career, a baby, travel and television has given me a greater perspective on how important it is for a woman to feel powerful and good about herself. It all has to be easy. And that's the vision behind the collection.
Sarah: I was born in the UK in Essex and my first job was as a sales girl when I was only 14 and I found myself quite good and talented at selling. Before founding my own fashion label – Isabella Wren – I worked for a leading stockbroker in London and then managed a financial services office in Singapore.
I believe that you both have a quite philanthropist vision of your business – Sarah through putting sustainability at the core of your business and Angie through your commitment to the Li Ka Shing Foundation – how have you come to this commitment and how has this one impacted your career?
Angie: Becoming a mother triggered this move from television to philanthropy and investing. I envisioned a future conversation with my child, who as any child will eventually ask, "Mommy, what do you do?" I'd answer, and he'd ask innocently, "What is television?" Our industry is changing, and I wanted to remain impactful. I'm lucky enough to have reached my professional Everest. This was an opportunity to be impactful in a different and more meaningful way. When I was offered the chance to work for the Li Ka Shing Foundation and the venture capital arm, Horizons Ventures, I saw this as a way I could use all my skills (and learn new ones!) to help grow businesses that would ultimately fuel philanthropy. It is a virtuous cycle I'm honoured to be a part of. I realize the easy thing to do as a mom would've been to stay in place. Starting a brand-new career is not easy. But I think the hard work put in today, will seed hopefully something incredible tomorrow. I'm doing it so that the future conversation I have with my child will be more meaningful and impactful about how I'm contributing to our global community.
Sarah: For a long time, especially after adopting my little girl, I have known that I wanted to build a fashion brand that supported woman. I want to teach my daughter the importance of empowering the female population around the world. I have seen the unconscionable amount of waste in the apparel industry and I knew from the beginning that I needed to put sustainability at the core of my brand and bring a product that lasted longer and was less costly to make. This is the all DNA of Isabella Wren.
How did you come to the idea of this collaboration?
Angie: It started as a wishful thought mentioned aloud. I was visiting Sarah in her studio, and simply wished that I could be in her world, to do what she did. To design. How fun it would be. To which Sarah replied, "then why don't you?" From there, the idea of the Angie Lau Capsule Collection was born. Sarah believed in my style. I love clothes, I love the language it allows you to speak, and believe in the power of fashion to speak volumes for you but also have the magical ability to make you feel empowered. As a broadcaster, who've been in front of the camera for years, I've developed my own style that empowered me as an anchor, but also emits authority and credibility to an audience. I think these clothes do that for every woman on or off camera! To your everyday audience, you're the star.
What was the inspiration behind this collection?
Angie: It was one of those aha! moments as Sarah and I were working on the direction of this collection. In this 21st century, the working woman is a beautiful balance of work, family, corporate and personal. She is everything to everyone. And that's what this collection aims to be as well. How can one outfit be translated, through adding a jacket here, an obi belt there into something quite different? It's the efficiency of style and design. And that's why, in magical moment, uttered the words, "Versatility is the new black!" With just a few pieces, one can go from work to cocktails, or dinner. And if it's a business trip with just carry-on luggage, it can even carry you into a new look that continues into the next day's events. This was put to the test in real life when I recently flew to Hanoi to moderate the Greater Mekong Subregion Business Summit with the leaders of six nations all on stage. I had three days worth of outfits with just three pieces from my collection. They fit great, made me feel comfortable and confident... enough to share the world stage!
Any specific message you would like to share through this collection?
Angie: This collection is for the woman who embraces laughter, love, comfort and power. It's the recognition that we just want from our clothes … to be there for us and carry the communication weight when we just want to wear our cosy pyjamas. This collection is comfortable because it's measured to your specifications exactly. It will fit you perfectly. But it will also feel amazing (like your cosy pyjamas), and you'll look amazing.
Why do women default to the colour black? It's the confidence it gives us, knowing everyone looks good in black. But with this collection, #VersatilityIsTheNewBlack! Colour is powerful. Versatility is powerful. With this collection, I hope women will feel like this is the New Black in their wardrobes. Because it is so versatile, it means that you can invest in a few pieces that can stand the test of fashion time. These pieces are meant to complement your wardrobe and give your favourite pieces new life. Our contribution to sustainability in fashion.
Collection available at www.isabellawren.com
Angie: It started as a wishful thought mentioned aloud. I was visiting Sarah in her studio, and simply wished that I could be in her world, to do what she did. To design. How fun it would be. To which Sarah replied, "then why don't you?" From there, the idea of the Angie Lau Capsule Collection was born. Sarah believed in my style. I love clothes, I love the language it allows you to speak, and believe in the power of fashion to speak volumes for you but also have the magical ability to make you feel empowered. As a broadcaster, who've been in front of the camera for years, I've developed my own style that empowered me as an anchor, but also emits authority and credibility to an audience. I think these clothes do that for every woman on or off camera! To your everyday audience, you're the star.
What was the inspiration behind this collection?
Angie: It was one of those aha! moments as Sarah and I were working on the direction of this collection. In this 21st century, the working woman is a beautiful balance of work, family, corporate and personal. She is everything to everyone. And that's what this collection aims to be as well. How can one outfit be translated, through adding a jacket here, an obi belt there into something quite different? It's the efficiency of style and design. And that's why, in magical moment, uttered the words, "Versatility is the new black!" With just a few pieces, one can go from work to cocktails, or dinner. And if it's a business trip with just carry-on luggage, it can even carry you into a new look that continues into the next day's events. This was put to the test in real life when I recently flew to Hanoi to moderate the Greater Mekong Subregion Business Summit with the leaders of six nations all on stage. I had three days worth of outfits with just three pieces from my collection. They fit great, made me feel comfortable and confident... enough to share the world stage!
Any specific message you would like to share through this collection?
Angie: This collection is for the woman who embraces laughter, love, comfort and power. It's the recognition that we just want from our clothes … to be there for us and carry the communication weight when we just want to wear our cosy pyjamas. This collection is comfortable because it's measured to your specifications exactly. It will fit you perfectly. But it will also feel amazing (like your cosy pyjamas), and you'll look amazing.
Why do women default to the colour black? It's the confidence it gives us, knowing everyone looks good in black. But with this collection, #VersatilityIsTheNewBlack! Colour is powerful. Versatility is powerful. With this collection, I hope women will feel like this is the New Black in their wardrobes. Because it is so versatile, it means that you can invest in a few pieces that can stand the test of fashion time. These pieces are meant to complement your wardrobe and give your favourite pieces new life. Our contribution to sustainability in fashion.
Collection available at www.isabellawren.com