Remember Rihanna’s epic night at the VMAs? I sat down to chat with the up-and-coming designer behind the jacket worn by RiRi in the third performance. Meet fangirl Ya Jun Lin.
Ya Jun Lin.
Hi! You just had your design worn by Rihanna during the MTV Video Music Awards (aka one of the biggest night of her carrier) – how did that happen?
I am a recent graduate from Parsons. I was chosen as one of the twelve finalists among the Kering X Vogue competition. Mel Ottenberg (Rihanna’s stylist) was on our VIP panel. He contacted me after the graduation show asking to borrow my jacket for the VMAs.
How did it feel to see something you’ve designed on (freakin) RiRi?
I was super happy to see her in it. People who have seen my clothes would always say Rihanna would wear it. I would always take that as a compliment and never thought I actually had a chance to see her wearing it.
Rihanna in jacket designed by Ya Jun Lin during the 2016 VMAs. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images.
Did you know what the entire outfit was going to look like or just that they wanted to use your jacket?
I didn’t know how they were going to style it. I always thought the jacket would be too hot for her to wear in this weather. I’ve seen a photo of her wearing it in fitting, that already made me happy for weeks.
Tell us about the piece! The design process behind it and how it fits in with the rest of your aesthetics.
The jacket was the last design I had for the collection. It was last minute and it was the statement piece of the whole line. It is filled with down feathers and all the ribbons were a wool blend. The ribbon created gathers to adjust the volume and length of the jacket. My aesthetic is very unisex and a little rebellious, I think the jacket shows a lot of that.
Will we be seeing more of your designs on Rihanna in the future?
I hope so!
Like you said you finished your BFA in fashion design at Parson’s School of Design earlier this year. Besides from that, what is your creative background?
Since high school I was always into art/design, I never limit myself what I have to do. I took branding classes, photography classes at Art center during high school and did a lot of drawing and painting.
I’ve read that Rihanna has been your muse for a long time. Would you call yourself a fangirl?
No doubt. Always been a fan.
”When I drew Rihanna in my jacket. So happy to see her actually wear it.” /Ya Jun Lin
Besides from $he, what/who are your other influences?
I’m into a lot of trap music. When I start designing I just put the music on and start drawing.
Why fashion? Was it always an obvious choice?
It wasn’t really that obvious for me, as I mentioned I really liked art/design in general. I constantly have other ideas on branding, creative directing, product designing. I liked fashion the most probably because fashion design has a bit of everything.
Finally, where can we find your designs?
I haven’t mass produce any of my designs yet, I am thinking of launching my own line next season. People can email me to pre-order if they are interested in my current designs.
