As the designer himself will attest, “workaholic” doesn’t even begin to describe Dan Liu’s passion for his craft.
He starts his workday with coffee — double cream, no sugar — and doesn’t end it for another 12–18 hours. Apart from two hours of daily martial arts to maintain both fitness and focus, his time belongs fully to his business.
Accordingly, Liu hasn’t taken a vacation since 2009. The holiday season, a time when many look forward to rest and respite, is his least favorite time of year. If you ask his secretary about his hobbies, she’ll tell you his hobby is, of course, work.
His work ethic may be intense, but it’s that nearly superhuman drive that brought his talent and vision to an international stage. At this Fall’s New York Fashion Week, he will present his second Dan Liu collection to the city’s fashion elite.
The more one learns about Liu, the more one understands this considerable accomplishment as a just reward for a man that exemplifies self-made success.
Beginnings
Liu’s enigmatic aesthetic is informed by his tri-cultural background. Born in Hong Kong, Liu moved to Canada at the age of 16, and later studied fashion at Aoyama Fashion School in Japan.
Throughout his studies he worked hard to support himself; at one point he took on janitorial work at a restaurant to make ends meet.
His years of dedication paid off: after graduating fashion school in 1997, interning for two years, and completing an apprenticeship in Metzingen, Germany, Liu became the head designer of one of the most renowned German fashion houses. He launched Tatsuaki in 2002, and the Dan Liu Collection several years later.
Tatsuaki’s tagline is “Passion and Confidence,” which just about encapsulates the line’s recurring themes. Though each piece has its own unique inspiration, Tatsuaki’s designs are consistently feminine, vibrant, structured, fresh and effortless.
The Dan Liu Collection is a modern, youthful take on the metropolitan woman’s day-to-night wardrobe, with silhouettes that subtly showcase a woman’s beauty without exposing or overpowering her.
Dan Liu’s fashion lines might make women look effortlessly chic, but the amount of care, construction and attention to detail that goes into the design and production of these garments is nothing short of expert craftsmanship.
Process & Production
Creating memorable collections requires far more than an ability to design alone. The greatest designers must have as fastidious an eye for detail and construction as they do for beauty.
Dan Liu’s pieces benefit enormously from his global experience, fusing innovative Japanese materials with a seamlessly intricate blend of cross-cultural techniques. Japanese knit-wear features heavily in his collections, as do custom embroidery, crochet and lace. He uses sustainable materials whenever possible, and the fur in his garments is strictly faux.
What emerges from these ingredients are pieces that are far from superficial — each piece has its own texture, story, and personality. For this reason, Dan Liu’s collections showcase a harmonious blend of themes rather than one single idea.
This approach is a nod to his perspective on his clients. If every woman is an individual, Liu feels, why should her wardrobe suppress her individuality? Any fashion collection can, therefore, carry a consistent tone without being restricted to stylistic monotony.
Fashion Week
This September, Liu will show approximately 40 new pieces in his Spring/Summer 2017 Collection. His inspiration for this line has appeared in much the same manner it always has — in late-night drives when he can’t sleep, at unexpected moments during his travels around the world, and always when he least anticipates it.
Though inspiration for each collection may come to him unexpectedly, Dan Liu’s talent and preparedness have earned him a promising career. Already, he has the distinction of being the first Hong-Kong-born designer ever to show at New York fashion week.
If Dan Liu himself is a reflection of his work, each garment will surely have a compelling story of its own.
