Invariably each season, Susien Chong, together with her partner Nic Briand, present a new
Lover collection that will incite wait-list wars and fitting room squabbles. Little wonder savvy
eBay sellers will tell you the quickest way to generate interest in your item is to include “Lover” in the description. Here Susien gives us an insight into the tricks of the trade and what it takes to reach the top of your game
Describe your job.Nic and I oversee every facet of the business: from creative direction and design through to production and accounts.
Whom or what prompted you to start your own label?After working for other companies Nic and I felt we'd reached the stage where we'd learnt enough to start our own. We had a clear vision of what we wanted the label to be, and believed that we had something unique to say - the time was right.
What inspires you now? It's hard to pin point inspiration; it can come from a single frame in a film, a song lyric, or something you accidentally put together. But when that moment happens it's one of the best feelings you can imagine.
Do you have a signature style?I’m a sucker for anything romantic but it has to have a twist.
What are the perks and pitfalls associated with your job?Perks: There is nothing better than someone having a positive emotional response to something we have created. And being given the opportunity to meet people we admire or are inspired by.
Pitfalls: Sadly, you have to sacrifice a lot in your life to be successful.
What are the greatest misconceptions about your job?The biggest misconception is that I spend all day being creative.
What advice can you offer young, aspiring designers keen to break into the industry?Oh boy, where to start. Firstly, learn as much as you can before you head out on your own: at the end of the day you’re creating a product like everyone else; think about how you can you be different. Try and maintain your brand independence as long as you can, understand every facet of your business, and for the first couple of years don’t pay people to do things that you can easily do yourself.