No Shooshing Tissh
Gloria Lee's hard work is paying off as she launched her own label, Tissh, which started as a jewelry line in 2005, then morphed to include clothing, with a Web site that took off just last year. Lee’s talent has been noticed by many, who gladly invite her to participate in their events.
Gloria Lee was going to be an actuary, a job that normally gives more security, so said her parents. Coming from a Chinese background, Lee always has been taught to respect and obey the elders, which is probably why she went to college for actuarial science, and it seemed like she was on the track to a “successful” life. Her passion for fashion design, however, didn’t die with her university education. After she graduated from college, she managed to enroll in Coco Fashion Design Center in Toronto while having a full-time corporate job, taking classes in pattern drafting and fashion design on the weekends, and it hasn’t been easy.
“I started [going to Coco] in ’05 and I just finished that in ’08,” Lee said. “So I’ve been doing a double life kind of thing.”
Her hard work is paying off as she launched her own label, Tissh, which started as a jewelry line in 2005, then morphed to include clothing, with a Web site that took off just last year. Lee’s talent has been noticed by many, who gladly invite her to participate in their events. One was a show that took place in Saint Martin in the Caribbean last August, where she had the chance to schmooze with supermodel Stacey McKenzie. Another one was her latest participation in Brooklyn Fashion Week{end} just last Saturday, where her fall/winter ’09 collection blew the audience away with her ritzy and polished pieces in sequins and silk with bold color contrasts such as deep blue on flaming red or shiny gold.
What’s more surprising is that she produces the pieces herself, top to bottom.
“I was literally up for two days without sleep finishing sewing and everything that I could. It was so crazy,” Lee said.
A one-woman company, Lee literally designs, makes the pattern, and sews it all. “Organic” was how she described her work, and the audience loved that organic sense that permeated her collection. It’s natural, seemingly effortless; the dress and the model belonged together like a perfect match.
With daring designs that scream, “Look at me!” Lee is a relatively shy 29-year-old. When being complemented on her work, she seemed flattered and overjoyed by the validation. The contrast in her personality and design is endearing, and makes her clothes even more interesting. On the Tissh Web site is Lee’s spring/summer ’08 collection, featuring one Caucasian and one Asian model, a choice that seems reflective of her East/West cultural heritage.
Born in Canada, raised in a traditional Chinese family, Lee grew up in a Western liberal environment. She absorbs both cultures and finds her own place in two worlds. Part of the proof is a kimono-inspired shirt on the Web site worn by a model named Rose. The black deep-V shirt paired with a royal purple sash fits loosely on Rose, whose arm is covered in floral tattoos, forming contrasts of East and West, soft and rough, which curiously reach a harmonious balance. This balance also brings out an edginess, which is exactly what Lee is going for, and what’s a better element than sequins? As seen online and at last Saturday’s show, sequins are everywhere in Lee’s collections.
“It’s for the glitzy, for the dangerous, for the woman who likes to grab the attention but in a very classy way at the same time.” Lee said. Inspired by glam rock, Lee is a designer who loves fun and loves making it fun for girls out there. “I just love the way the light reflects off of [sequins] you look like a disco ball.“
Being in the center of the attention is always exciting, but what happens to party dresses when recession hits? Do designers play it up or tone it down? Lee has some answers.
“My new collection has a lot of navys, a lot of reds, a lot of golds, it’s almost like an understated beautiness or sexiness that I wanted to push,“ she said. “It’s not out there. … You can look good and not have to spend so much or make it look like you’re spending so much.”
Still juggling two jobs as a consultant during the day and a designer after work, Gloria Lee is enjoying life to the fullest and getting ready for challenges that wait ahead.
“Right now I’m working on getting the clothes out onto my Web site, getting my Web site going, and keep going with all the different collections,“ she said. “Spring summer, fall winter — it’s always happening, every season.”
(Models wearing Gloria Lee Spring/Summer 2008 and Fall/Winter 2009 fashions at the Brooklyn Fashion Week{End} Fall/Winter 2009 at the Brooklyn School for Career Development on April 11, 2009 in Brooklyn, New York. Photo credit: Wire Image, www.Tissh.com)
11 Comments
Add your own
Gucci Handbags line is the best choice when you shopping online. We provides you the best products with the best services and the best quality. There are several products are in hot sale. Like the Cheap Gucci Shoes which always follow the trend fashion and posses the exquisite craftsmanship. The Gucci Bags are designed luxuriously with silver and golden buckle and made from durable leather. With different colors and different fashionable appearance, various brands Gucci Wallets will add a fashionable twist to any look. It’s a right choice to go through our Sofia Gucci website, we are dedicate to help find your favoraite goods from Gucci Outlet line. Here, you can enjoy our considerate.P90x
fdgdrtreerq
af001
Jun 12th 11
10:56 PM
インターネットで調べてカーデに関する情報を集めてアバクロいけば、率先して着たくなるかもしれませんよ。カーデは使い勝手の良いアバクロ 店舗ファッションアイテムなので、一着や二着は持っておきたいでアバクロ 銀座 セールす。一つのカテゴリーとして、もはやカーデは成立していません。例えば、ジーンアバクロ 銀座 価格ズと言って履くための一本を探すようなもアバクロ 通販のです。カーデを扱っているブランドは、洋服を扱っているのなら大半が該当するのアバクロ サイズではないでしょうか。アメリカのカジュアルファッションアバクロ福岡ブランドで、カジュアルとなればカーデの存在に期待できます。唐突ですが、アバクロとホリスターいうブランドをご存知でしょうか。実際カーデを扱うブランドは非アバクロホリスター常に多く、街を見渡せば真夏を除いて結構な確率で見掛けるでしょう。アバホリスター 日本クロファッションの特徴としては、カジュアル感にミホリスター サイズリタリーなテイストを加えておりカーデも例に漏れません。この手のファッションホリスター 公式が好きな方にとって、アバクロのカーデはジャストフィットではないでしょうか。
byasi
Jun 21st 11
03:08 AM
Birkenstock gizeh,never fails to pursuit fashion!Prada bag,100% quality guarantee!
http://www.birkenstocksandalsuk.com” title=“Birkenstock sandals”]Birkenstock sandals[/url] handbag,make impossible into possible!Monster,a long-term friend for you !
Monster,the start of perfect!Birkenstock UK ,make you feel the new fashion world!
The most important accessory for an good impression is your clothes and birkenstock sandals.
I get patient and be forced to buy Birkenstock clogs because of my immediate requirement.
bsddd
zara
Jun 27th 11
10:48 PM
Welcome to our Chanel Outlet store to enjoy the Cheap Chanel Bags bring you 100% service. As we know Chanel is a famed brand of nobility, fashion, elegance, and got Chanel Bags is a dream of those people with high taste. Low price, high quality, perfect after-sale service, that is our Chanel. As long as you open our Chanel webpage, you will view various Chanel New Arrivals our shop which is the most popular also the most fashionable this year. Such as the Chanel Bags, Chanel Wallets, Chanel Watchs, Chanel Handbags and other Chanel Accessories etc. They are all with unique design and attractive price. Just go through our Chanel Bags Outlet store to choose you like, surely you’ll find something that will strike your taste.<span style=“display:none”>authetic coach outletiuhlouhouigh
jintu
Jun 28th 11
08:03 PM
ut already and “seize every minute of the” spirit of fashion outlet The Times, and fit with daily dressed Clothing would be luxury watches ut already and “seize every minute of the” spirit of lv The Times, and fit with daily dressed Clothing would be louis vuitton handbag ut already and “seize every minute of the” spirit of louboutin shoes sale online The Times, and fit with daily dressed Clothing would be christian louboutin boots replica ut already and “seize every minute of the” spirit of louboutin uk online The Times, and fit with daily dressed Clothing would be christian louboutin heels
jintu
Jun 28th 11
10:52 PM
loss outweights the gain dare not, keep the tail from herve leger replica wagging the dog. So New York city is the most herve leger knock off loss outweights the gain dare not, keep the tail from high heel wagging the dog. So New York city is the most christian louboutin boots loss outweights the gain dare not, keep the tail from ed hardy clothing wagging the dog. So New York city is the most ed hardy clothing loss outweights the gain dare not, keep the tail from wholesale silver jewelry 925 wagging the dog. So New York city is the most how to clean silver jewelry
jintu
Jun 29th 11
01:22 AM
ion, local governments have the animation industry as the focus ed hardy for cheap of government support. All around the island introduced a series ed hardy knockoffs ion, local governments have the animation industry as the focus high heel of government support. All around the island introduced a series cheap highheels ion, local governments have the animation industry as the focus fashion jewelry designs of government support. All around the island introduced a series tiffany jewelry ion, local governments have the animation industry as the focus jimmy choo aimee of government support. All around the island introduced a series brian atwood suede maniac pumps
linhuojian520
Jul 7th 11
03:01 AM
888lhj2
Many girls dream of be the princess and waiting the day of your prince will come once day. It is such a good dream and we all hold it carefully. In the same time, you hava to dress yourself, at least the princess have the shine appearance to appeal to the prince. Do you think it may be a big tusk to finish? Now our store come here to resolve your problem! Only a precious [url=“http://www.cheaptiffanycoau.com/
“]Tiffany Jewellery[/url] can make you shiny and elegant. Yes, it is the
linhuojian520
Jul 7th 11
03:02 AM
888lhj2
Many girls dream of be the princess and waiting the day of your prince will come once day. It is such a good dream and we all hold it carefully. In the same time, you hava to dress yourself, at least the princess have the shine appearance to appeal to the prince. Do you think it may be a big tusk to finish? Now our store come here to resolve your problem! Only a precious [url=“http://www.cheaptiffanycoau.com/
“]Tiffany Jewellery[/url] can make you shiny and elegant. Yes, it is the
<h1> [url=“http://www.cheaptiffanycoau.com/
“]Tiffany Co Australia[/url] </h1>
which is famous for the exquisite craft
<h1>[url=“http://www.cheaptiffanycoau.com/
“]Tiffany Jewelry Sale[/url].</h1>
Now you can just take a rest listen to our briefly introduction. [url=“http://www.cheaptiffanycoau.com/
tiffany-jewellery-sets-c-25.html”]Buy Tiffany Sets[/url] can grace you which contain the one theme say about the story cover your body. The shine [url=“http://www.cheaptiffanycoau.com/
tiffany-jewellery-sets-c-25.html”]Tiffany Sets [/url]can show brilliant rays to catch people eyes. If you wanna match the [url=“http://www.cheaptiffanycoau.com/
“]Tiffany Jewellery Australia[/url] for yourself, you can feel free to choose the different type of [url=“http://www.cheaptiffanycoau.com/
“]Tiffany Jewelry[/url]. [url=“http://www.cheaptiffanycoau.com/
tiffany-rings-c-20.html”]Tiffany Earrings Cheap[/url] is the cute spirit who can speak pillow talk to you and make you happy all days. Do you think it is unbelievable? Then you must take this chance to order our exquisite
<h2>[url=“http://www.cheaptiffanycoau.com/
tiffany-earrings-c-29.html”]Tiffany Earrings Online[/url]. </h2>
We confidence upon you wear it, your face will turn to shiny! Of course,
<h2>[url=“http://www.cheaptiffanycoau.com/
tiffany-necklace-c-26.html”]Buy Tiffany Necklaces[/url]</h2>
is important to grace your neck, the [url=“http://www.cheaptiffanycoau.com/
tiffany-necklace-c-26.html”]Tiffany Necklace Online[/url] have the charm to attract your prince to kiss your neck. Would you wana miss this chance to own the preciou kiss? It wise to choose the right
xiaoxiao
Jul 7th 11
08:08 PM
Our coach messenger bags on the Internet, you can buy discount coach bags , cheap coach bags , etc., as head coach, replica coach bags .. etc. All products are displayed in our coach diaper bags . In the design, all the bags by famous designers, as the factory, we store all the procedures to check to ensure that genuine quality products. These bags are made of genuine leather with excellent workmanship, you will find it very economical. It has an excellent succession of shoulder or hand, they bring convenience. When you enter our coach bags on sale , you can see the shiny new things. Come on, our exports look forward to your arrival store and choose any type of souvenirs.
342
Donna2020
Jul 8th 11
02:10 AM
Welcome to order your favorite one on Coach Online! Our Coach Online Store has won great popularity Coach Shoes Coach Wallets Coach Sunglasses on the market. The Coach Handbags have exquisite workmanship.
The cheap Nike Dunk are the backbone of the Nike Dunk SB line. Our fashion 2011 Dunk Shoes saw the potential of tapping into the skateboard clothing market because Nike Blazer and sneakers were worn more as casual wear Nike Custom Dunks than for the actual sport.Thanks visit our Coach Outlet Online There is a wide range of bags to choose from Coach Online. If you want to consider the best quality bags for long term usage, you can think of getting Coach Wallets Coach Shoes. Coach Handbags sale and Coach Backpack and top quality. The new style of Puma Shoes from Puma Outlet is continuously updated in low and high versions with a variety of colors and materials and seems to be a favorite for designers nice Puma Ferrari Shoes Puma Fur Shoes Women Puma Sandals everywhere. f3
klkk
Jun 8th 11
01:38 AM