Project Runway Canada Season 2 winner, Sunny Fong is a comeback kid. In 2005, the Ryerson film school graduate turned designer had to shut down his label, VAWK, when he ran out of money. Project Runway Canada was his final attempt at making it as a designer. After snagging first place, Sunny finally got his big break! We chatted with Sunny (he's so sweet!) the day after his big win to learn a little bit more about the man behind the winning label.

ChickAdvisor:
You said in one of the episodes that if you didn't win Project Runway you would give up fashion. Were you serious and why?

Sunny Fong:
Ya, I was serious. I put my line on hold because I couldn't afford it and if I don't have any funds I can't do it. The show was going to help me decide if I could continue it so I was serious about that and even if I didn't win I don't think I would be able to afford to continue.

ChickAdvisor:
How much does it cost to launch a collection?

Sunny Fong:
It's hard to judge. With Project Runway we only had $8000 to put together a collection, but with a new designer you have to start everything from the beginning as a business. It's not just the collection, it's the business aspects plus the collection. The $100K from the competition is a good seed amount.



ChickAdvisor:
At any point did you know you would win?

Sunny Fong:
I sort of went with the feeling that I really want to win, but I really don't hold my breath. After a few challenges I realized anything can happen. Don't hold your breath just hope for the best!

ChickAdvisor:
Who did you feel was your toughest competition?

Sunny Fong:
Jessica. Because she's young and she had a lot of ideas that she wants to do and I've seen some of her work and I'm like, 'Oh Jessica please don't pull it out!' I was amazed at some of the stuff she put together.

ChickAdvisor:
Could you see yourself collaborating in the future with any of the contestants from Project Runway?

Sunny Fong:
No, I'd like to stay friends with them but I don't see us collaborating. The friendship part is far more important to me and that's where I see myself and the other designers. I love them.



ChickAdvisor:
So let's switch gears here for a little bit. How did you go from film school graduate to designer?

Sunny Fong:
Fashion was the hobby on the side but film was something I couldn't teach myself on my own. I love fashion but I love film as well. Having gone through the process of film making, it takes too long. I've always dabbled in fashion and when I finished film school I taught myself fashion and started my own line. I taught myself everything I needed to know. That was sort of my tuition. And then spending more time learning about it again.

ChickAdvisor:
You really have no formal training?

Sunny Fong:
That's right. I'm totally self taught.

ChickAdvisor:
Wow, that's unbelievable! So who are some designers that have inspired you?

Sunny Fong:
There are a whole bunch that inspire me to get to that level. I love the sexiness of Cavalli the humour of McQueen, the elegance of Valentino... a little bit of everybody.

ChickAdvisor:
Like those designers you mentioned, we understand you also have plans for International domination?

Sunny Fong:
My plan right now is to dominate Canada first and establish a foundation here. If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere because Canada is hard, probably the hardest. But I love Canada and for me it's one of those personal challenges.

ChickAdvisor:
We have no doubt you will succeed! Do you have any advice for fledgling designers?

Sunny Fong:
Designers need to sort of trust their creative instinct. Don't question it, go with the flow to generate more ideas. After the initial 3 or 4 challenges, I questioned everything I did and always ended up with the original one. I then realized I should just go with my gut and make it better.

In terms of getting into business, really look into the business aspect of it because that's really important. I need to find someone who is strong in that world so I can focus on the creative part.

ChickAdvisor:
So where can we get our hands on VAWK?

Sunny Fong:
That is in the air. It's in the planning stages right now.

ChickAdvisor:
What can we expect from you next?

Sunny Fong:
Stay tuned! When I say comeback, I mean come back!


www.vawk.ca

By: Ali de Bold