Designing Students at Raffles Privato

Betty Wu created an eight-piece collection inspired by the shape of a paper plane

 

In the heart of Shanghai, amongst the jazzy storefronts of Xintiandi, lies the precocious designer store known as Raffles Privato. Created as an industry partnership between Raffles Design Institute and the Shui On Group, the aim of the store is to help students gain entrepreneurial experience within a real-life environment.

Small yet inviting, the store itself offers a private setting for the customer and designer. Ready-to-wear pieces and accessories are available for well under RMB 1,000, but more personal services are also available, including custom tailoring and personal shopping.
This impressive student-based project is steadily garnering acclaim as the year progresses. Upon its official opening this past July, Raffles Privato passed a milestone for educational opportunity within Asia’s most international city.

Guided by professors and past alumni, students of Raffles learn how to design, produce, brand and sell their collections to  customers. Rather than the traditional ‘chalk and talk’ method, professors engage with students one-on-one to discuss inspirations, goals, and commercial viability. The store is a platform to showcase locally-grown young talent, with students being encouraged to follow their entrepreneurial dreams.

 

Read the full article online here - http://shanghai.talkmagazines.cn/issue/2011-11/designing-students-raffles-privato