We recently connected with Rickie Tang and have shared our conversation below.

Rickie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Outside of academics, I was invested in visual arts and athletics during my youth. I loved basketball and fashion, in fact, my interest in style and fashion developed through basketball. My sneaker collection started when I began playing basketball in middle school. I had the most and freshest kicks on the team, despite not being the best player. I remember when my family used to buy clothes for me and thought about how I could make the garment more suitable to my preference, that was my first memory of designing and reimaging clothes. Towards the end of my high school career, I knew I was not able to play basketball professionally, so I transitioned all my focus toward visual arts and pursued a career as a fashion designer and stylist.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Rickie Tang, I am a Chinese Canadian. In June, I graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design with a major in Fashion Design. My graduation collection “the party will go on.” best represents my work. It reflects on the bi-polarizing positions within society; the glamourous parties in the hills and the grungy underground ragers. Although the circumstances are different, there is a commonality, the party will go on. No matter what disaster is occurring in the world or personal conflict someone may be experiencing, people often resort to instant gratification and fabricated things. Forget about the chaos in the world. Let’s live in the moment because we may not be here for a long time but we’re here for a good time and riding hands-free for the night. The entire collection is upcycled with an emphasis on sustainability while highlighting the contrast qualities of raw and refined, hard and soft, and masculinity and feminity.

I provide services such as designing 1-of-1 cut and sew looks, upcycling unworn garments in clients’ wardrobes into unique pieces, as well as being a personal stylist and shopper.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

For me growing up in a traditional Asian household pursuing an artistic career was not ideal. When I announced to my family in Grade 11 that I wanted to study fashion design in college, I received backlash. I wasn’t taken seriously until I showed my commitment and dedication to improving my artistic craft. When I started gaining recognition and winning some awards they became more fond of the idea, even then I didn’t have full support. However, I was fortunate to have their financial support throughout my studies. My resilience has led me to graduate with a scholarship and summa cum laude from one of the best art schools in the nation. Today, I am working on establishing my brand and building my networks. I look forward to presenting my products to the world in the near future. I want to inspire more minorities from traditional families to chase after what truly makes them happy and fulfilled, even if that means going against the grain.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Throughout my creative process, I am vulnerable as an artist. I dig into my deepest feelings and imagination to create the concept that tells a story I believe is worthy of bringing to this world. It is the most rewarding to me when someone does relate to my designs and appreciates the storytelling. It is very fulfilling to see people wear my products in public.

Contact Info:

• Website: rickietang.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eikcirtang/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickietang/

Image Credits
Maya Ingraham, Ashley Trawinski