DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT: THE END

       
Tell us a little about your background and how you ended up designing lingerie - how does your Taiwanese heritage inform your design process?
I got my BA in fashion in Taiwan. After working as an assistant designer for a year, I applied for Parsons and moved to New York. I think my Taiwanese heritage plays a big part of why I ended up in lingerie but in sort of a negative way. The beauty standards in Taiwan are very different. Women's beauty in Taiwan is often celebrated through a very specific and standardized look. But in NYC, beauty is welcomed in so many shapes and forms, even unordinary and abstract is desired. So for those reasons, I never felt beautiful growing up. I actually felt unattractive. I know it’s silly, but it’s very real. It’s hard to put into words how NYC changed me, but I think many people "glow up" after moving to the city. For the first time, I felt comfortable with my own body, and that maybe I could be pretty, or even sexy! And that’s when I started getting into lingerie and leather harnesses. I remember my first leather goods were from Zana Bayne. And my first lingerie set was this blue lace bra/panties from Lonely Lingerie. And naturally as a designer, you wanna make your own lingerie. So from there when I decided to start my own lingerie business, I was lucky enough to be staying at a friend's apartment without paying rent for a year. That really allowed me to focus and work hard on creating something new, from the ground up. And that’s how The End was born!

What inspires your designs?
Lots of my inspiration is drawn from sex store lingerie. They can be cheaply made and tacky, but sex store lingerie really is the best. When I first started, I knew I wanted to combine organic cotton with BDSM elements. Mostly because my partner has body piercings and I’m obsessed with them. So those ideas somehow turned into a one-person business. 

Who do you design for?
Honestly, I was designing for myself in the beginning. Now after almost 7 years, I think I’m still designing for myself, but definitely thinking about my customers when going through the process. Someone once described my following as a "cult", so I guess it's for them. MY LOYAL CULTISTS!
What role does the environment/ sustainability play in how you run your business?
I try my best to make The End as eco-friendly as possible. But as someone who is producing new cloth, instead of up-cycling, I always find it hard to call myself a truly sustainable brand. But I do make sure to only use organic/recycled fabrics. I avoid over producing, I donate off-season stock, and I use eco friendly shipping materials whenever possible. I think it's important for any business to strive for eco-consciousness.   

Let's talk about size inclusivity, is that important to you and how do you enforce it with the way you design?
When I first started The End, I was designing for myself. But it got to a point that I realized some of my designs are just not practical for people who actually have boobs! Feedback from my customers helped give me a different perspective when designing. I started incorporating lots of adjustable elements into the pieces. I still wish I could provide a wider size range, because it is very important to me to be inclusive. Sexiness comes in all sizes!
We love your editorial pictures - how do they come about, does it start with a theme you have in mind?
Usually I work with my photographer friend Chien-Wen Lin, along with stylist Lu Yin Yin. They are both based in Taiwan. They are my dream team, and I adore their work. We always try to bring in some Taiwanese/Asian culture into each editorial. We usually draw inspiration from our experiences in Taiwan and try to make it into something unique and expressive. Taiwan is a tiny island, but we have so many young creatives that deserve to be seen.

Personal favorite pieces?
My current favorite is from the new collection that hasn't been released yet. It's a bodysuit with a cat print on it and I can't wait to show everyone!!!

What do you do in your down time?
Probably spend too much time on Tiktok.

What is the future of The End?
At this point, I think it's doing okay as a one-person operation. But to grow, I may develop new lines of products (I've done swimwear before). I'm considering jewelry. Or perhaps even shaping my platform into some sort of consignment, so I can work with different designers. Because I run the business alone at this point, it really is a lonely thought process. You can tell even I don't know where things will go, but I think you won't be disappointed!