Q. Why A.Oei Studio?
A. Having worked as a designer for various fashion companies, I realized how much I valued being a small, independent maker who is not only actively hands-on in all aspects of garment production but also learns the mechanics of running a business from scratch.
A.Oei Studio was envisioned as a creative platform that combines fashion, textiles, graphics, concepts and pattern-making, bridges commercial and artistic needs, and still be accessible and affordable.
Myself and my team also think about who we're featuring and including in our magazines. Representation is so important, and that includes who we feature in fashion, a topic that's dear to me. I'd really like to feature models who have differently abled bodies, different sizes, different backgrounds. All those things sound simple, but it makes for a richer and more relatable publication.
Q. Where do you draw inspiration from? How do you stay motivated?
A. The desire and drive to lead with equity and reduce disparities keep me grounded and motivated. Being a vegetarian and individual who believes in the importance of wellness to balance body, mind and spirit ignites my passion to what I do with compassion.
One quote that I love is "the simplest thing has the greatest capacity". I draw my inspiration from little things in life, where I remind myself daily that I am blessed to have overcome barriers and become more resilient as time progresses.
As we gradually reopen under different circumstances, it is imperative for us to re-think fashion and sustainability, and adjust methods of production and distribution.
To give a better understanding of what constitutes sustainable fashion, I've outlined some issues that independent brands like A.Oei face from fabric/fiber sourcing, garment manufacturing to prevailing retail trends. I will also propose some solutions and principles that A.Oei abide by.
Q: What inspires you?
A: The natural landscape moves me and that is where most of my inspiration comes from. I also pull a lot from literature, mostly sci-fi and fantasy novels as well as poetry. I am enthralled by world-building and stories of a people’s being within the land. Some recent reads include works by Robinson Jeffers, Mary Oliver, Paul Kingsnorth, Kim Stanley Robinson, N. K. Jemisin, Robin Wall Kimmerer, and so many more. I am currently reading “Spiritual Ecology, the Cry of the Earth,” which is a collection of essays edited by Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee. Finally, I am inspired by a wide range of artists from Caspar David Friedrich to Ana Mendieta.
