Interview
Sisi Tang
1 Congratulations on your achievements in the French Fashion Awards! Could you share a bit about your awarded design, yourself or your studio?
LEOPITORCA is a forward-thinking sportswear brand dedicated to sustainable performance fashion. Our award-winning designs seamlessly integrate cutting-edge textiles, advanced technologies, and ergonomic innovations. With a strong emphasis on combining fashion aesthetics and functionality, LEOPITORCA empowers athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and everyday consumers by enhancing their performance, comfort, and overall well-being.
2 What’s the one piece in your portfolio that you feel best represents your ideas, and why?
I believe the piece that best represents LEOPITORCA’s design philosophy is our skiwear collection, particularly the sustainably-made down jacket. Inspired by minimalist architecture, this jacket thoughtfully blends striking color combinations with clean, streamlined silhouettes. It is specifically engineered for snow sports, offering excellent waterproofing, wind resistance, and advanced thermal regulation. This piece exemplifies our commitment to integrating fashion-forward aesthetics with high-level functionality, sustainability, and user-focused innovation.
3 What inspired you to pursue a career in fashion design, and what motivates your creative journey?
I've worked as a fashion designer for more than a decade, and what initially inspired me—and continues to guide my creative journey—is the meaningful process of translating feelings and emotions into fashion aesthetics. Sportswear, in particular, excites me because it beautifully balances practicality and style. I'm passionate about designing fashion that is not only functional and visually appealing but also sustainable, enabling me to contribute positively to both individual well-being and environmental responsibility.
4 What’s a day in your studio like—chaos, calm, or a bit of both?
I'd say our studio is a blend of both chaos and calm. We embrace the dynamic shifts between energetic bursts and quieter, reflective periods, believing that varied atmospheres can spark creativity. Exposure to other art forms—such as music and drama—also stimulates our creative processes, allowing our designers to explore diverse artistic expressions. We actively encourage our team to experiment, discover, and draw inspiration from different experiences. At the same time, we value tranquillity, as quiet spaces foster deeper contemplation and more considered design decisions.
5 If you had to describe your design philosophy in three words, what would they be?
Sustainable, functional and innovative.
6 What was the “aha” moment when you knew you had to submit your winning designs to the award?
The "aha" moment came when we realized how effectively our skiwear collection embodied our core philosophy of sustainability, innovation, and the seamless integration of fashion aesthetics and performance functionality. We knew then that our designs had the potential not only to inspire athletes and consumers but also to resonate strongly within the fashion community. That realization gave us the confidence to submit our work to the French Fashion Awards.
7 If fashion had no rules, what’s the boldest design idea you would bring to life?
If fashion had no boundaries or rules, I would create a collection featuring garments capable of dynamically adapting to both environmental conditions and individual emotions—changing colors, patterns, textures, and even functionality in real-time. Imagine clothing intuitively responding to your mood, activity level, or surroundings, seamlessly blending innovative technology, sustainability, and avant-garde aesthetics. This bold concept represents the ultimate fusion of creativity, personalization, and practicality.
8 What’s a trend you wish would make a comeback—or disappear forever?
I'd love to see a revival of timeless minimalism—simple, thoughtful designs emphasising quality, craftsmanship, and longevity rather than fast-moving trends. Conversely, I'd be pleased to see the trend of disposable, unsustainable fashion disappear for good, making room for more conscious consumption and environmentally responsible choices.
9 How do you balance artistic freedom with the commercial demands of the fashion industry?
Balancing artistic freedom with commercial demands is about finding harmony between creativity and practicality. At LEOPITORCA, we maintain our artistic integrity by staying true to our core values—innovation, sustainability, and aesthetic excellence—while carefully listening to consumer needs and market feedback. This approach allows us to create designs that are both artistically expressive and commercially viable, ensuring relevance, customer satisfaction, and long-term success.
10 If you could collaborate with any designer or artist, past or present, who would it be, and what would you create?
I would choose to collaborate with the legendary architect Zaha Hadid. I greatly admire the clean lines, fluid shapes, and dynamic interplay of light and shadow in her architectural designs. Together, I would envision creating a sportswear collection inspired by her iconic forms—garments that beautifully translate her architectural mastery into wearable, sculptural pieces characterized by fluidity, structural elegance, and innovative functionality.
11 What does success in fashion mean to you—fame, impact, legacy, or something else entirely?
To me, success in fashion means positively impacting people's lives—when more individuals resonate with LEOPITORCA’s brand philosophy, becoming more mindful of their physical and psychological well-being. Success is achieved when people genuinely love and care for themselves, inspiring a deeper sense of responsibility toward our world and planet. Ultimately, true success is measured not just by recognition, but by the meaningful connections and positive changes our designs encourage in individuals and communities alike.
12 How do you see fashion evolving over the next decade, and where do you see yourself in that position?
I envision fashion evolving towards greater sustainability, technological integration, and personalization over the next decade, while always remaining fashionable and chic. LEOPITORCA aims to be at the forefront of this evolution, continuously blending cutting-edge innovations with timeless style, ensuring our designs remain relevant, impactful, and effortlessly elegant for years to come.
13 What’s the most surprising source of inspiration that has influenced your designs?
The most surprising yet deeply impactful source of inspiration for my designs has always been human emotions and feelings. Capturing these intangible elements and translating them into fashion aesthetics has allowed me to create pieces that resonate on a personal level—garments that not only look beautiful but also evoke a genuine emotional connection with the wearer.
14 What’s one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self as a designer, or those who are just starting out?
I would advise my younger self—and any emerging designers—to stay authentic, curious, and courageous. Embrace your individuality, explore boldly, and don’t fear making mistakes, as they are powerful lessons. Most importantly, keep sustainability and responsibility at the heart of your work, because meaningful fashion comes from creating something that positively impacts both people and our planet.
15 If you could shape your life’s work into a single message to share with the world, what would it be?
If I could shape my life's work into one message, it would be: "Fashion can be both beautiful and meaningful—embracing innovation, sustainability, and empathy to inspire people to care deeply for themselves, others, and our planet."
