We are delighted to share with you our interview « Questions and Answers » with the Business Woman Diana WANG, CEO and Creative Director of Diana Wang Fashion Group.
Carla MARTIN: Please introduce yourself for those who do not know you yet. Kindly tell us about your background and your business? How you decided to create your business?
Diana WANG: I’m Diana Wang, a couturier and also a girlboss. I was born in 1990, Shanghai, China, and educated in London and Beijing. The CEO and designer of Diana Wang Fashion Group, we developed from Couture women swear into shoes, accessories, bespoke menswear and Lifestyle products.
I started designing and tailoring from kindergarten, so to create my own fashion brand is almost like meant to be.
CM: What was your path to the role you have now?
DW: Before I started my brand Diana Wang, my first career was a fashion and beauty TV show producer and chief editor, I created it when I was 20 years old, studied in The Central Academy of Drama, Beijing, China.（The school is the first theatre higher educational institution of the People’s Republic of China）So I am actually the youngest TV producer in China. I got experience about marketing and how to build up a team, and also how to manage my time between studying and running business.
I was invited by the British fashion Council to show my women swear collection during London fashion week in 2014, and I decided to start my brand in the same time. We started to cooperation with top brands like Chopard since 2016, we had fashion show and VIP events in shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing, London…In 2018,my brand made agreement with the most famous department store Harrods, providing the most excellent design and service to our clients with their beyond team. I also cohosted their global events, luxury of rarity with their Manager Director Mr. Michael Ward.
CM: What does a typical working day look like for you?
DW: I’m an early bird, so normally I wake up at six, I go through with business numbers, both retail and online business, exchange ideas with my China and UK team, meeting with clients and press, working with my tailor team to ensure the flawless finishing for every order.
Before my fashion shows, you’ll only find me in my atelier , from 8 to 8,I personally involved in every process of design and production since day 1,I guide my tailor team on every detail, every look. I also have meetings with my marketing and PR team to ensure the highest VIP experience to all of my clients.
CM: Tell us what is your success mindset?
DW: In short words, ‘LOVE’ and ‘Bravery’, which also my brand slogan. Have patience and do our best every day to be the best version of yourself.
CM: What was your biggest challenge on the personal side also business side?
DW: The personal side, is to balance my personal life and also taking care of my healthy, because I always traveling between EU and China. I decided to do a 12 weeks challenging, including work out at least 1 hour every day, and only eat healthy food, tomorrow is my 5th week, and I never feel better. I highly suggest everyone to put their soul and healthy first.
The business side is to be the designer and also the business manager, we haven’t took any investment yet, so I have to ensure my brand keep growing every day, especially in our key markets, which are London, Hong Kong, and Beijing. And also a clear luxury brand image.
CM: I would like to know what is the best advice in business you have been given?
may I ask who gave it to you?
DW: A number of outstanding businessman and professors!
In pursuit of a success business, we have to keep our feet on the ground and play your strengths.
CM: For a young entrepreneur, what advice would you give?
DW: Life is a long journey so never ever let the past limited you or define who you are, the failure only valid if you stop trying，learn from all the experience and keep trying until you make it happen.
CM: With everything you have achieved, what you would say your greatest achievement is?
DW: I always feel grateful that I can explore my 20s on the world stage, my brands had lots of highlight moments like had fashion shows with Chopard high Jewellery all over the world, A-list celebrities wearing my design, win 30 under 30s entrepreneurs, but so far I would say is appointing by Harrods beyond team, Harrods had been my favourite department store since 12 years old.
CM: What was the most challenging moment in your life? And how did you manage to overcome it?
DW: I would say to build up a high-end luxury brand in another country, had no network or other support back to that time.
I believe I can make my dreams come true, I am a very determined and diligent person since young, but I have to say, without people who love and believe in me, my brand won’t grow so fast. Love always is the answer.
CM: From your entire professional experience, what was your most exciting project up to now?
DW: It’s my next collection inspired by Dali’s art work—Lady Godiva, and we will have a pop-up in Hong Kong this coming November.
CM: What is your business current focus?
DW: I’m focusing on the next collection, and continue to secure our luxury retailers in key markets like UK and China and also developing out DW lifestyle products online.
CM: What charity do you support?
DW: Me and my family have supported a number of charities over the years, I’m in the community of Caudwell Children, the float with butterfly charity ball. I personally very passionate about education charities, I joined in teach for China and went to one of the poorest area in China to teach English in primary school when I graduated from university, ‘teach for China’ is a program to help poor children to get proper education, I truly believe education is one of the most important thing in our life, especially in our early years, it is the key to change people’s life.
CM: Who inspires you today?
DW: Those outstanding women like Amal Alamuddin Clooney，Victoria Beckham，their fashion attitude and professionalism always inspires me.
CM: Do you have a secret talent?
DW: I have many, haha, but if I tell you that won’t be my secret anymore.
CM: You found your passion, in your opinion how does everyone find their own passion?
DW: Keep looking until you find it, practice until you are good at it.
CM: If you had the power to change just one thing in the world what would it be?
DW: I’m someone believe in the world has its own system, but if I can change one thing in my life, I would like to see my Grampa for the last time, he had cancer two years ago and passed away on my way back visiting him, I wish I could hold his hand and say how much I love him and how much I appreciate that I born in this amazing caring family. I want him to know that I never will stop pursuing my dream and I will take care of my Parents and Grandma.
www.dianawang.uk