Bowie Wong (born 1969) is a Hong Kong-born Australian fashion and stage designer.[1]

Bowie Wong
Bowie Wong in January 2013
Born1969 (age 54–55)
NationalityAustralia, Hong Kong
OccupationFashion designer
Years active1990s-present

Background

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Wong was born in Hong Kong.[2] As the son of a Chinese opera singer, Wong spent his childhood surrounded by stage costumes, which started his interest in design and fashion at an early age.[citation needed] He studied Pure Design in Japan and Stage and Costume Design in Canada.[3]

While finishing his degree in Canada, Bowie was offered contracts on major theatre productions and international shows including The Paul McCartney World Tour, Cats and Les Misérables.[3] In 1997 he moved to Sydney, Australia where he spent three year. At this time, Wong decided to focus on his passion for fashion itself, as he explains, "[fashion] is a romantic roller-coaster ride and I wanted to be a part of that excitement – [but] on my own terms, so I would not have to compromise"[4]

Early career

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In 2000, Wong launched his first complete collection and began to establish himself as a local Australian brand.

In 2011 and 2012, Wong produced a couture collection of unique custom-made dresses and bridal-inspired gowns which was shown at Australian Fashion Week.[5][6][7]

He has dressed celebrities such as Kendall Jenner,[8] Kylie Minogue,[9] George Michael,[10] Beyonce and Harry Potter stars Evanna Lynch[11] and Jade Gordon.[12][13]

Wong has been named a Friend of Australia by Tourism Australia in recognition of his contribution to the Australian fashion industry.[14]

Bowie Wong (brand)

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In January 2014, Bowie Wong debuted at Paris Fashion Week, the first Australian-based fashion designer to do so, presenting his collection at the Australian Embassy in Paris.[15][16] Wong showed at Paris Fashion Week again in July 2014.[17]

Vogue's Suzy Menkes paid a visit to Wong. Coverage included Women's Wear Daily,[18] Agence France-Presse[19] and Australian media.[20] In Paris, press included Melty Fashion,[21] Paris Haute[22] and Flip-Zone.[23] FashionTV filmed backstage and show coverage.[24]

Wong was also invited by L'Officiel Australia to become a couture contributor for the magazine.[25]

In January 2015, Wong once again presented a collection at Paris Haute Couture Week, as mentioned by The Huffington Post,[26][27][28] Gypset Magazine [29] and FVM Global Magazine [2] amongst others.

References

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  1. ^ "Designers ruffle each other's feathers". The Daily Telegraph. 2 May 2010. Retrieved 17 December 2012.
  2. ^ a b Boutin, Faith; Rosen, Murray (August 2015). "Divine Haute Couture". FVM Global. No. August 2015. Archived from the original on 6 October 2015. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  3. ^ a b "MBAFW Designer Profiles". Archived from the original on 17 January 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  4. ^ "About the Designer".
  5. ^ "A model showcases designs by Bowie on the catwalk during Rosemount".
  6. ^ Teh, Lisa (20 May 2012). "INTERVIEW: BOWIE WONG". Couturing.com.
  7. ^ "Designer Bowie Wong acknowledges the crowd after his catwalk show on".
  8. ^ "Kendall Jenner - Genlux Magazine Issue". Archived from the original on 5 October 2015. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  9. ^ "V Raw Livestyle Design Search".
  10. ^ "Mediasearch". Archived from the original on 7 October 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
  11. ^ "From Luna Lovegood to Looking Lovely in BOWIE…". 4 June 2012.
  12. ^ "Jade Gordon in Bowie".
  13. ^ "Emma Watson: 'Harry Potter Deathly Hallows Part II' Premiere, London : Sassi Sam Girlie Gossip Files". Archived from the original on 6 October 2015. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  14. ^ "Friends of Australia" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  15. ^ "Bowie Wong Immortality couture collection in Paris gets the WA treatment".
  16. ^ "Australian-Based Designer Bowie Wong Makes History As He Debuts His Haute Couture Collection In Paris". The Interluxe. Archived from the original on 22 December 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  17. ^ "The Aj Edit".
  18. ^ "Bowie Wong to Show in Paris in July". 22 January 2014.
  19. ^ "Designer Bowie Wong Offers a Glimpse of His Collection | NewsLook". Archived from the original on 7 October 2015. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  20. ^ "Bowie Wong Immortality couture collection in Paris gets the WA treatment".
  21. ^ PANDO, Julie (10 July 2014). "Bowie Wong Couture automne-hiver 2014/2015 à la Fashion Week de Paris". www.peaches.fr (in French).
  22. ^ "Bowie wong".
  23. ^ Wong, Bowie Wong fashion designer Maison Bowie. "Bowie Wong Fall-winter 2014-2015 - Couture". www.flip-zone.com.
  24. ^ "Bowie Wong Backstage | Paris Couture Fashion Week | FashionTV". YouTube.
  25. ^ "l'Officiel Australia-Paris Haute Couture Shoot". Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2015.[permanent dead link]
  26. ^ Paris Haute Couture Week
  27. ^ "The Haute Couture Beauty Looks We'll be Wearing This Fall". 13 July 2015.
  28. ^ "Lessons in Paris Haute Couture: How to Escape a 'Style Rut'". 17 August 2015.
  29. ^ "The Magic Veil the world of BOWIE Wong! - Gypset Magazine".
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