Interview
Silvanna Shen
1 Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your design background.
Silvanna Shen is an emerging fashion designer whose passion for design was cultivated from her upbringing in an artistic family. After studying graphic design at the School of Visual Arts and transferring to Parsons School of Design to pursue fashion, Silvanna gained industry experience as a graphic designer and foreign marketing sales assistant at a design company during the pandemic. This experience led her to launch her own brand, SILVANNASHEN, which aims to provide a sense of calmness and expand sartorial and emotional space for people living in global megacities. Silvanna's design philosophy is influenced by Chinese intelligence of construction and incorporates sustainable materials and minimalist aesthetics.
2 What made you become/why did you choose to become a designer/artist?
I came from China and grew up in an Artistic family, my dad was a Furniture Designer, and he was once the most famous art director in China; my mom is a Photo Retoucher. Grew up in such an atmosphere in which love and mutual understanding and confidence were established. The more I became aware of this, the more I realized what I want to be, and the more I longed for something better than what the world had to offer. A fashion designer who wants to share the wisdom of her own culture combined with New York City's influence wants to send a message through fashion and wants to provide a new vision of fashion.
3 Tell us more about your business/company, job profile, and what you do.
The brand SILVANNASHEN is the epitome of modernity and Chinese old buildings. Its unconditional dedication to design combines simplicity and naturalism with sustainable material and exceptional craftsmanship. The refinement of bamboo and the perfection of details give form to an approach to fashion defined by peace.
4 What does “design” mean to you?
It means a solution helps to solve needs and another form of media that represents who you are.
5 What’s your favorite kind of design and why?
I am always interested in those multifunctional and constructional but simple designs, I guess it's because of the environment and background I have that my aesthetic has formed, and in love with those 'simple' but actually thousands of harder designs.
6 To you, what makes a “good” design?
There is no "good" or "bad" design, everyone could design. I don't want to put boundaries on designing just like beautiful or ugly, it depends if anyone likes it or not.
7 Describe your design style and its main characteristics.
My design style is simple, clean, and sustainable.
8 Tell us about your design process.
I ALWAYS BEEN INSPIRED FROM THE TRADITIONAL CHINESE FURNITURE AND BUILDINGS. THE AMAZING CRAFT HAS DRAWN ME TO THE BAMBOO MATERIAL. WITH THE AIM OF CREATING A ESCAPE FASHION PRODUCT FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN CITIES, A SPACE THAT CONNECTS PEOPLE, THE ENVIRONMENT, AND FASHION.
9 Do you think your country and its cultural heritage has an impact on your design process?
Definitely. I know it's very usual when a person designs based on their cultural heritage, but how your design jumped out from the typical cultural symbolism and combined with nowadays' influence and current issues have always been the goal in my design. I don't want to forget who I am, but I always want to show who I have become now.
10 Congratulations! As the winner of the 2023 MUSE Design Awards, what does it mean to you and your company and team to receive this award distinction?
It is the first design award I got, it means not just an award but proof that my work gets noticed and attention. THANK YOU!
11 Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2023 MUSE Design Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
It is the newest work I did as my thesis toward graduation. The work 'simple finals' took a year-long development, and it got revolutionary achievements when I finally put everything together. A work that shows who I am, a work that shows sustainability, a work that shows my culture and New York City.
12 What was the biggest challenge with this project?
The biggest challenge would be the development of this project, the construction of how bamboo bends itself and each piece combines into a fashion performance. Two bags + one piece of furniture = a fashion outfit.
13 How has winning an Award developed your practice/career?
This winning will help motivate me to do more design in the future.
14 What are your top three (3) favorite things about our industry?
Variety categories, different background juries, oppertunities.
15 What makes your country specifically, unique in the design industry?
As I have mentioned my design was inspired by the traditional Chinese furniture and buildings, the wisdom of Chinese craftsmen has always been my muse.
16 Where do you see the evolution of design industry going over the next 5-10 years?
I think most designs will be combined with AI for the next 5-10 years, but a small part will keep developing the traditional into nowadays uses.
17 If you were a student entering this industry or an aspiring MUSE Design Awards submitter, what advice would you give them?
Go ahead and submit your work, the last thing you should do is waste time thinking should I do it or not.
18 What resources would you recommend to someone who wants to improve their skills in the design industry?
Being a student in a design school made me realize how competitive my classmates are, most skills I did not get from my professor rather than my classmates. Therefore, I recommend being in the environment that will be your best path to improve your skills.
19 Who has inspired you in your life and why?
The great thanks will go with my dad. He was a designer himself, and thanks to him, I developed my own aesthetic and never gave up on my childish dream: a fashion designer. Even though he was a pusher in my life, without him I would never become who I am right now, now even in America.
20 What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
Keep pushing yourself, learn from others, and always gather different information, not just fashion or design news but more current World News.
