Photo Credit: Natalie Deng
Joash Teo, 23, is the designer and creative director for the Australian fashion brand, JOTEO.
Joash’s passion for fashion is growing every year. With the support from his family, friends and teachers he has managed to graduate tertiary fashion studies a year in advance. This allowed Joash to start a university degree in Fashion Design whilst he was just in year 12.
“Fun fact, most people usually assumed that by the time I had graduated from the High School I was already accepted into QUT’s Design degree. The reality is that I got in on the second try a year later. In between I’ve studied its sister’s degree while working as a professional dressmaker and as a store boy at the couture fabric store.”
Without the experience Joash could not imagine his career right now.
His graduate collection , Ephemera, got recognition at Papas & Pace Fashion Innovation Award, the Woolmark Student Bursary and was shortlisted for the IMG Next Gen Prize and the DIA Graduate of the Year.
For two years Joash collaborated with the Hopevale Fashion Collection which brought together aboriginal artists with fashion students. As well as the work experience, Joash showcased his work at Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival 2019 and the Graduate Show. “It was a wonderful experience but very nerve racking. In fact, at MBFF 2019 my model almost tripped on the gown I've made but thankfully she was a professional and no one noticed.”
COVID-19 has impacted Joash’s career but he is grateful for all the opportunities he found during the difficult times like this. At the moment the designer has an upcoming exhibition with Artisan Australia Gallery and continue working with the customers who he hopes to make even prouder.
Joash describes himself as a kinesthetic and visual person. “There’s a freedom in creating that is indescribable. Not only can you learn about the world but also about yourself. It helps to bring more depth into the work you create.”
Joash created his brand to bring elements of conceptual couture into ready-to-wear. “My idea behind my brand can be described by a term I coined – ‘Avant Casual’.”
While creating his brand Joash faced some challenges. He believes that finances and time management is the hardest part while creating your own business. Although Joash had some savings from his previous fashion jobs, he still found it difficult to manage on his own.
“There is also that teething period between ‘student-brand’ and ‘real-brand’ but the road hasn’t been too shaky so I am very grateful.”
While Joash is working on his new collection he likes to begin with philosophical or visual focus. The designer is usually inspired by music or new films. “I get obsessed in this new world of thought, partly because I am trying to let go of what came before it.”
Joash believes that new collections need to evolve each time. “Creating a new collection is almost similar to building a cinematic universe. While the narratives are separate in their own ways, they are aware of each other and they create a dialogue between themselves”, adds Joash.
Joash’s latest collection was inspired by a personal struggle with depression. Instead of projecting despair, Joash wanted to show a more hopeful perspective. “It was a personal exorcism, marking a milestone in my battle with it. It was almost as a way to show myself that I had become strong enough to control it and allow my wounds to be something beautiful.”
Joash loves finding new ways to form the fabric on a body and experiment with sleeker silhouettes at the same time. He thinks it is important to consider the concept for the season approaching.
Joash wants his work to offer a glimpse in the ephemerality of emotion. “Through a combination of couture draping and tailoring, the immaterial darkness is materialized in silhouettes that extend the boundaries of the body, emphasizing a strained architecture that bend the fabric to mimic the fluidity of flowing shadows.”
At the moment, as well as preparing for the exhibition in October, Joash is hoping to launch his new collection this year. “There are also a few other things I can’t talk about yet. You just have to keep watching!”
To follow Joash’s journey follow the Instagram account.