Here is another designer for which I have a soft spot. I got the chance to do some research on Han Feng before she spoke as I had to write a short piece on her and she is actually quite extraordinary. Over the decades she has worked, she had become one of the most sought after designers in the world. Quite remarkable if you think about the fact it all started quite by accident.

Feng mainly spoke about her journey to becoming the designer she is today, but the story holds many inspirational points to it. The reason I say this is specifically to do with her pleated scarves, the beginning of her fame and the simple story behind them.

At the time of the creation of her pleated scarf, Feng was working for a designer and simply began collecting fabric cutoffs. From these cutoffs she was able to create this pleated scarf, which then got international recognition and had her starting her own fashion label, Hang Feng New York.

I think that is inspiration enough for any designer because instead of feeling as if you’re not getting anywhere by doing menial jobs – as you sometimes might have to do – the reality is it will pay off if you just look in the right places and allow yourself the time to work and build yourself and your talent.

Eventually, through the help of one of her loyal customers, she was introduced to her life. As in, it was this one person who helped her succeed by believing in her ability. The name escapes me at the moment, but from this moment on she went on to design for opera’s and had incredible success with her costumes.

At the end of the day, it takes hard work, a gutsy attitude, someone who believes in you and a little luck to make it in life. That doesn’t mean you need all of these, just some of them will do. Feng had them all and now she’s doing what she loves and doing it well.