Designer Files | Syra J. By Shery Lau

Fashion designer Shery Lau of Syra J. Image courtesy of brand

Syra J is a brand that reminds me of the nostalgia of summer days, joy and a care free spirit juxtaposed with sharp tailoring. We had a privilege of interviewing Shery Lau the creative director of the label. Read on for some inspiration.

1. How did you get into fashion design?

It started with inspiration from my mom. My mom always had her clothes made by tailors. As I grew older, she let me design my own clothes and had her tailors make my designs for me. I was so fond of going around to look for fabrics, designing my own clothes and working with tailors to produce my designs. Moving forward, I even designed clothes for my sisters, cousins and friends; I used to hand embroider, bead and paint their clothes for them. My major in college was not fashion design, but it was my minor.

2. What is more important to you, function or design?

When you have passion for design, it is easy to go crazy and create something beyond convention. The hardest job of being a fashion designer is to combine creativity and functionality to create something new and desirable, yet wearable and practical at the same time

3. Who is the Syra J woman?

Syra J. women adore fashion. They are brave, passionate, caring, confident. They enjoy wearing the beautiful clothes from Syra J. that enhance their beauty, empower their self-expression and help push forward their missions, ideas, goals, and statements. Syra J. fashion is expressive and trendy: women who love Syra J. have strong and loving characters, consequently, they also care for other people and their community.

4. What inspired your most recent collection?

My collections are always filled with art and fantasy. Back in 2019, when I started designing my most recent AW20 collection, it happened to be a time of many uncertainties across the world, namely, the trade war between China and the US, Brexit in the UK, and many social political unrests. I felt that women needed to stand tall to protect themselves during this trembling time. Apart from my usual direction, I was inspired to include in some military-influenced nuances into this collection: military style jackets, shirts and bombers with bold, puffy sleeves, coordinates of skirts and pants that are easy to mix and match. These styles project strong images for women who wear them.

5. How are you staying inspired?

I always pay attention to people and surroundings. I enjoy beautiful and innovative designs in many aspects: architecture, interior design, furniture etc.. Seeing the beautiful creations of other designers motivates me to dig deep into my creativity. I also love art and vintage. Visiting art shows and vintage stores also keeps me inspired.

6 Style is…. (complete the sentence)

To quote Diane Von Furstenberg and Ralph Lauren, fashion comes and goes, but style and attitude remain. For me, style can’t be bought but is arisen from charisma.

7. What are your goals for the brand?

For the time being, to explore the market in the UK, internationally, and to build up Syra J.’s network of clients and supporters.

8. If you could pick one of your designs which would you stay is your favorite?

Every piece is my favorite because every piece has a uniqueness that another does not. I personally try on every single piece of clothing before introducing it into the market to ensure the fit and feel is appropriate and comfortable. Every design is my love. An advantage of buying from a female designer is that the client can trust that the designer understands what women need and want in their clothes.

9 What is on your wishlist?

In addition to the goal of the development of Syra J., I hope that the world will unite to take steps to end social and systematic injustices. I also wish for open-minds and hearts that will grant equal opportunity to minorities.

10.What do you want people to know about your brand?

Syra J. is not only a brand of luxury quality fashion, but our style can raise a woman’s potential. One enjoys satisfaction, joy and excitement when wearing our collection. Our brand supports sustainability in our industry, which is why we only produce per order received in trying to produce as little waste as possible. We are also an equal opportunity workplace, and take care of the older fashion community by hiring workers pass their retirement age but who still maintain passion for their work.