Meet fashion designer from Singapore, Afton of Reckless Ericka.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am Afton Chen.
I am a dreamer, a doodler, and a cat lover. I love movies and mainly draw inspirations from there.
I am a person who is full of hope, confidently expecting something good to happen. I believe you can never be “too positive” and isn’t life more fun too when you see it through this way? You won’t take things for granted and you will be grateful to people around you too.

Describe the city you’re living in and what it’s like to live there.

I was born in Singapore, spent a few years of my childhood in Kaohsiung, Taiwan (we almost migrated there but my dad missed Singapore too much and we moved back), and I have been based in Singapore ever since!
Living in Kaohsiung did shape my interest and my love for art, theatre, and fashion.

Living in Kaohsiung did shape my interest and my love for art, theatre, and fashion.

What is the best and worst thing about living in your city?

BEST: I feel safe living here.
WORST: It is too hot and humid.

Give us 3 words that describe what it’s like to be a creative in your city.

Challenging, fulfilling, fast-paced.

How did you start your career in art?

In 2009, a year after I graduated from my degree in fashion design.

Were the people around you supportive of your decision on working as a creative?

My parents were super supportive right from the beginning and I am really thankful for that. Actually, I didn’t really care what other people around me said – whether I was impractical, too adventurous or silly – and I guess this made me reckless.

I didn’t really care what other people around me said – whether I was impractical, too adventurous or silly – and I guess this made me reckless.

What are some goals and ambitions you have for your future work?

It is always in our vision to be inclusive and effectively designed, so I would love for us to continue to be real and authentic to our design vision.
There are plans for us to be stocked in some South East Asian countries, and in the future, we would love to be stocked in Japan and Australia.

If you could collaborate with any person in the world who would it be?

Can I pick 2? 🙂  Tilda Swinton and Wes Anderson.

How would you describe the women around you?

They have gentle wisdom and quiet strength.

Were there any local female creatives that you looked up to when you were growing up?

Sharon Au. She is a former actress and host. I’ve seen her on tv/stage growing up and I find that her zest for life, joy, passion is infectious. When I had the opportunity to work with her when she picked out our label to represent Singapore for Asia Style Collection, I realized that she is exactly as passionate in real life! I find that when someone is authentic, they are truly stylish.

Are there any challenging aspects of being a female in your industry?

I have been fortunate to not feel that there are any challenging aspects of being a female in my industry in Singapore. I have been given equal opportunities to bid for and win projects.

When there are failures (and there will be), humble yourself to learn from it because you can never stop learning, and move onward because it can only get better!

Do you have any advice to young women who are aspiring to work in your field?

Never give up on what sparked your passion in the first place. When there are failures (and there will be), humble yourself to learn from it because you can never stop learning, and move onward because it can only get better! The best is always before us and the best is yet to come!

Photos courtesy of Reckless Ericka