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Mar 10, 2002/ FW/ -- Graciousness is not a quality one would normally expect from someone who
works in the fashion industry. This may be a a stereotype, but it is
certainly not one without merit.
The fights for front row seats at shows, the one-upmanship, and general cattiness amongst
everyone from magazine editors to stylists are all part of the crazy equation that makes
up the business.
So how surprised was I when one day, sitting in my mailbox, was a handwritten note from
designer Vivienne Tam.
In it, she thanked me for my support and coverage of her show and wished me "double
happiness".
For me, covering her show was easy since it turned out to
be one of my favorites of New York Fall Fashion Week. But for someone
to go out of their way to thank me for doing so was both flattering and
a pleasant surprise.
But then again, nice gestures have always been a character trait of Tam,
who throughout the years has shown collections that almost always retain
a sense of serenity, calmness, and peace of mind.
Born in Canton,China, Tam grew up in Hong Kong where she attended college, studying
fashion design.
Upon graduation, she moved to New York and showed her first collection in 1982. By 1994,
she was heading her own label and subsequently opened boutiques around the world.
Tam always experiments with new textiles and textures, but it's her East meets West background
that is one of the most significant influences in her work.
The image of Buddha is one that has popped up again and again over the years
(including her Fall 2002 collection).
Serenity is key, and not only is it important for the wearer to feel this inner peace,
but also for the ones looking at her.
For Tam, these qualities are not just for clothes, but are a way of life (which is much
different from most designers who use these themes when they become trendy).
So, after knowing all of this, the Thank You card becomes much less surprising and much more
inspiring.
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Vivienne Tam backstage during her Fall 2002 show.
