We talked to @charles___lu to get his perspective on what showing his debut collection at Fashion Art Toronto meant for him and his career. “The most enjoyable and memorable experience I had in showing my collection with Fashion Art Toronto was the fact that I showed on Canadian soil. I have built and cultivated most of my career abroad in both London and Dubai but it was so important for me to return to my roots and be connected to my support system. My identity as a designer is so very much tied to my heritage as a Canadian along with being a product of Vietnamese refugees. My parents taught me resilience and perseverance because of the hardships they faced venturing into a new country due to the Vietnam war. The collection itself is a representation of all the skills and culture I have absorbed abroad amalgamated into my past. I flexed my creative muscle and infused my decades of experience into 19 looks. I was working on my own, secluded nonstop for 2 years, starting from nothing. Launching my collection at FAT gave me validation from the Canadian fashion landscape. Showing with FAT is a unique experience in that it is very emotion-based with a high focus in artistry. I was given a lot of freedom to convey the intent of the collection in a purposeful way. My collection was exposed to many new people which allowed me to cement myself in the fashion scene. As a designer, I prefer to stay in the background and allow my work to speak. If I have to explain my work, then I have not done my job, I can elaborate but the initial response must be visceral. Having an audience who was affected on such an emotional level was the best response for me and my brand.” - @charles___lu Photos @jennjevons @asianwithcamera