VIVIENNE TAM X 捉妖記

Vivienne Tam Bridges Cultures Through Fashion - 2017

Tam’s spring 2018 collection, presented last month at New York Fashion Week, was influenced by Raman Hui’s Chinese film, “Monster Hunt,” a wildly popular fantasy film about an ancient world where humans and monsters co-exist. At the time of its release in the summer of 2015, it was the highest grossing film ever in China. Tam’s line is a collaboration with the company behind “Monster Hunt,” Edko Films, and it puts the movie’s cute monsters and mythical mountain ranges on dresses, skirts, handbags and shirts. “Monster Hunt 2,” will be out early next year, and Lionsgate and Sony Pictures have distribution rights outside of China.

Tam is hoping the spirit and outlook of the movie’s protagonist, Wuba, will shine through in her designs and connect with global consumers. “Wuba, the character, I love him so much and the feeling of him,” says Tam. “So much fun and adorable … I love that spirit.”

But transforming a lovable character into a fashion line with broad appeal isn’t a simple task. Tam says her imagination is her guide. “I look at the scenery; it is really magical,” says Tam. “Magical mountains and landscapes, and I put them into prints and embroideries and patches … And my imagination takes on from the movie.”