French designer Christine Phung has recently shared her journey in the fashion industry on the LuxurynsightXFashionNetwork podcast series. In the podcast, Phung discusses her career and the challenges she faced while simultaneously working as a creative director for a luxury label, a mass-market brand, and her own label.
Phung’s fashion journey began when she graduated from the Duperré academy and the French Fashion Institute (IFM) in 2001 and 2002. Early on, she had the opportunity to work with renowned designer Christophe Lemaire, who inspired her to pursue a similar path of dividing her efforts between different labels.
Throughout her career, Phung gained valuable experience at prestigious fashion houses such as Chloé, Vanessa Bruno, and Dior Children. She also worked as a consultant for brands like Veja and Lacoste. In 2011, Phung founded her own label, all while continuing her freelance work and serving as the creative director for Georges Rech and Leonard.
When discussing the challenges of working with different fashion labels, Phung emphasized the importance of understanding each brand’s DNA and codes. She believes in broadening these codes to create something new and exciting for clients. For example, during her time at Leonard, Phung deviated from their traditional codes and experimented with high-tech fabrics and architectural textile approaches.
Phung considers her time at Leonard to be a significant milestone in her career. After launching her own label and winning the ANDAM prize in 2013, she realized the need for financial backing and the desire to expand on a larger scale. Joining Leonard allowed her to focus on her core business of fashion design and gain experience at a prestigious brand with a rich heritage.
In autumn 2020, Phung took on the role of creative director at Princesse Tam Tam, a popular lingerie and homewear brand owned by Fast Retailing. Her mission was to create a dream-like atmosphere and strong brand loyalty while aligning with the brand’s values. She aimed to balance the allure and pleasure of lingerie with functionalist lifestyle needs and commercially successful products.
In October 2022, Phung faced a new challenge of relaunching the knitwear label LaFrançaise while also re-energizing her own eponymous label. Her vast experience has allowed her to showcase her creativity and adaptability in the constantly evolving fashion industry.
Phung’s journey highlights the multi-faceted nature of the fashion industry, where designers often take on multiple roles simultaneously. Despite the challenges, she proves that with passion, determination, and a willingness to learn and adapt, it is possible to make a mark in the fashion world while staying true to one’s own vision.
Phung’s story serves as an inspiration to aspiring designers, demonstrating that hard work and perseverance can lead to success in navigating the intricacies of the fashion industry while running one’s own label and serving as a creative director for other brands.
Useful links:
– https://www.luxurynsight.com/en/publication/journey-of-famous-fashion-designer-christine-phung/
– https://luxuryfashion.co.uk/fashion-designer-christine-phung-winner-premiere-vision-grand-prix-2013/#.UP2i-3fXbFf
