I first came across Fashion Designer Cen Si while scanning through Instagram for local designers. Her work had already been featured in US AND Italian Vogue, in addition to L'Officiel Mexico and Bullett Magazine. With all the buzz behind this emerging designer, imagine my surprise when she agreed to sit down for an interview with Charmingly Conscious.
As we sipped our tea on the Brooklyn Ball Factory rooftop, we quickly plunged deep into a conversation about Cen's inspiration, struggles, and overall outlook on fashion and what sets CON MOTO apart from other labels.
Born in China and raised for a majority of her life in Finland, this now Brooklyn native spent most of her life focusing on the discipline of classical music. However, when the opportunity presented itself to study fashion design, Cen chose to incorporate her love of music and fashion into what culminated into her first and massively well received AW17 Pre-Fall capsule collection.
For this collection, Cen Si drew heavily from her upbringing in Finland. Her prints and and proportions drew directly from melodies she developed in childhood and refined later in her adult years. Each print follows its own unique musical composition, with a color palette derived from nature and the memories from her childhood summers.
“I wanted to create a brand that had soul. Something that draws people in and creates attachment to the clothing, not just a simple brand name.”
-- Cen Si, Creator of CON MOTO
“I wanted to create a brand that had soul,” said Cen. “Something that draws people in and creates attachment to the clothing, not just a simple brand name.”
When asked about where she draws her photos tagged as #inspiration Cen Si gave insight onto 2 particular photos posted onto her Instagram feed. The first, a cropped photo of Cen from her childhood set in front of a lake landscapes. At the very top of the photo is a sketch of the waves she drew Choreographed to the tune of a refined composition originally created from childhood. It’s clear how the themes in nature inspired the collection.
The Second photo, has a more apparent influence on the look of the collection with large blocks of saturated color. When I asked her about this photo, Cen said the colors stood out to her first, but it was the positioning of the windows that spoke to her as it created a rhythm that she found to be visually appealing.
This abundant creative mind has created an additional 4 pieces for the Autumn Winter Collection, but it may be some time until we see the next collection from Con Moto. Cen Si plans to take time away from her independent project to study and learn amongst the professionals at Theory in New York City.
When asked about the barriers she’s come across while working in fashion, Cen had this to say: “I always remind myself, ‘Remember where it is that you started from, and what you want to achieve. Don’t let whatever comes along the way misguide you.”
“I always remind myself, ‘Remember where it is that you started from, and what you want to achieve. Don’t let whatever comes along the way misguide you.”
--Cen Si, Creator of CON MOTO