Chloe Dao, Life After Project Runway

Writer / Editor – Justin Howard @Jthnomad

Fashion Designer – Chloe Dao @Daochloedao

“A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.” – Coco Chanel

Already a fashion household name in Houston fashion scene, designer Chloe Dao has come a long way since her days as the winner of Lifetime’s hit reality TV series, Project Runway. As a designer Chloe Dao stands out with her use of strong brocade prints and voluminous sleeves.

Chloe Dao – Life After Project Runway

Justin Howard for Black Chalk – How did you get into fashion design?

Chloe Dao – Watching the show “Style with Elsa Klensch” on CNN every Saturday growing up really opened my world to the Fashion industry. I went to Houston Community College here for Fashion Design then decided last minute to go on a small vacation trip to NYC to check it out. I loved it, found an apartment, and enrolled at F.I.T. for a pattern making degree. I ended up working in the industry for 8 years.

BC -Did you want to become a fashion designer when you were young?

CD – The Fashion industry as we know it now did not exist until the early 90’s. I came to the US when I was 8 years old. My interest in Fashion really was not sparked until I was in middle school watching “Style with Elsa Klensch” on CNN.

BC – What’s your philosophy about the ART of fashion?

CD – I do believe Fashion is Art. There are different levels of it, of course, because fashion is also commerce. I have to sell clothes for a living rather than hang it on the wall. There are designers who just make presentational couture pieces meant for the stages or installations. I would love to create that kind of fashion because there are no rules and really no customer in mind, it is only about how far your creativity takes you.

BC – What do you enjoy most about designing clothes?

CD – I enjoy my job the most when a design in my head or sketch turns out even more fabulous in reality. When a dress I just designed for fun becomes a best seller for the next 5 years, that is when the job is rewarding for myself, and my clients have a great piece in their closet.

BC – As a designer what is the most challenging part of your job?

CD – The most challenging part is keeping true to your aesthetic but also challenging yourself to be a better designer. Once you push yourself, however, your loyal customers still need to see your familiar point of view but have to be impressed that you have evolved as a designer.

BC – So If you had the choice of all designers in the world to collaborate with or for, what person be your choice?

CD – There are so many designers that I love but I would not necessarily want to collaborate with them, just learn from them different techniques I do not know. I truly respect Hussien Chalayan for his work with robotic clothing, Stephane Rolland for his amazing sexy couture pieces, and Alba Elbaz of Lanvin for his humble personality and great talent.

BC – Who is your most influential fashion designer?

CD – My design aesthetic was really formed by three major designers; Balenciaga, Geoffrey Beene, and Gianni Versace. Balenciaga was known for his amazing pattern work, Geoffrey Beene for his modern seaming and fabric combinations, and Gianni Versace for his celebration of the woman’s body and excess.

BC – Does your work reflect your personal fashion taste? Can you describe your style?

CD – My work does reflect my personal taste. I wear my designs in my daily life and at important events such as galas and parties. My style is no fuss dressing. That is why I love creating dresses. You zip it up and go.

BC – What do you think are the latest fashion trends?

CD – I think Fashion today is not dominated by trends. I think this is the first time in years that anything goes but I think it’s wonderful that way b/c now it is truly about individual style versus the latest “it” bag or the right hem length.

BC – How do you see the positioning of Houston Fashion Week in a global scenario?

CD – Houston Fashion Week combines the best designers in the world with local talent such as myself. Houston Fashion Week is not about competing with other fashion weeks of the world, it is about celebrating the talent here and showing the world the impressive retail success that many major designers enjoy here.

BC – Where you see Houston Fashion Week heading with so many cities getting their own large fashion scenes going?

CD – Houston Fashion Week is a leading show because in this city we have so many well known and loved socialites such as Lynn Wyatt and Becca Carson Thrash. They are regularly featured in Vogue and happen to be personal friends with Karl Lagerfeld and many more fabulous designers internationally.

They are truly connected to the elite fashion world. We also have the amazing Neal Hamill, who has worked with the legendary Eileen Ford and so many designers as well. He has brought in a very impressive line up of designers over the years. From George Chakra, a designer from Lebanon, who only shows his collection in Paris but has chosen to show in Houston to Herve Leger who mainly shows in NYC, but has now presented in Houston. Of course, you have Monique Lhuillier and Zac Posen who have done runway shows in Houston as well.

BC – Should there be so many fashion weeks? Thoughts?

CD – Sure! Why not, everybody loves Fashion and every city has designers that want to showcase and celebrate.

BC – In your opinion what’s the response of buyers to the fashion weeks in general these days?

CD – Buyers love fashion weeks to see the new styles ahead of everyone. But honestly, they do not buy until Market Week and then the collections shown on the runway are edited down for the buyers.

BC – Future Plans?

CD – I am also looking to expand my Chloe Dao line to more casual women’s wear, and planning to open another store. I am growing my social media presence and online sales. You can see what I am up to at my instagram profile!