dapperQ recently wrapped up a week-long celebration of queer style during New York Fashion Week, starting with our fifth annual queer runway show (Dress Code) in partnership with Brooklyn Museum and sponsored by Into, followed by daily pop-up shops and a closing party at the Phluid Project.
In the upcoming weeks, we’ll be getting up close and personal with some of the featured runway designers and brands, with A/C Space as today’s spotlight designer.
Tell us a bit about your brand.
A/C SPACE is a genderless streetwear line made with a sustainable edge. We use deadstock fabrics and trims that would otherwise be destined for landfills and repurpose them to make clothes for all backgrounds and identities.
Talk a bit about the collection you showcased on the runway and what inspired this collection.
My collection is inspired by my Taiwanese-American background. My parents immigrated from Taiwan in the 80s so my sister and I are 1st generation-born Taiwanese Americans. The collection is an homage to the clothes my grandfather in Kaoshiung would wear, the walks my grandmother and I had amongst pineapple fields and watching Sailor Moon with my sister who inspires me with her love of anime + cosplay.
This was dapperQ’s fifth annual show at Brooklyn Museum. But, we have produced over 12 shows across the U.S. since launching our digital platform in 2009. How many years have you been featured on the dapperQ runway?
Four years.
How has the show evolved? How have your designs evolved as you present each year?
I presented with dapperQ in their second ever multi-brand show in New York at The Avenue— a nightclub where models walked down a butterfly staircase and into the crowd. It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come being able to show at The Brooklyn Museum. There’s nothing more beautiful than having the opportunity to present your work to the community. There was one year when I couldn’t participate in the show and I sat in the audience instead – I learned what the audience responded to and my designs and creative ethos have grown and evolved to reflect that.
What was your process and experience like, starting from selection to the runway?
I was stoked to return to the runway this year with dapperQ. I reached out to some of my past models and also had the chance to work with new ones. I cast individuals who not only inspired me but are community leaders and influencers. Devin-Norelle is a trans model and activist who works at Them and Teen Vogue. Ze has a T-shirt line – Trans is Beautiful that donates a portion of the proceeds to Werk Those Pecs. Jes Tom is a queer comedian and actor whom I’ve followed since their show at Q.E.D. – Cold Brew. Benedict is a queer writer and dancer who has performed at the Whitney Museum.
The music I chose was “Drop” by Diplo feat. Big Freedia. Big Freedia is a Black, queer bounce artist from New Orleans – she is known for popularizing the hip hop genre called ‘bounce music’ and for her collaborations with Beyoncé and RuPaul. Her music is high energy and soulful both qualities I experienced in the city of New Orleans when I visited this year.
What does it mean for your brand to be a part of this annual show?
dapperQ and the community it has cultivated has helped inspire me while also challenging my line. It’s an incredible honor to be a part of this. Every year it’s so exciting to see the ever-growing roster of new designers that help to further New York City’s queer fashion culture and also have chance to tell my story.
Follow A/C Space on:
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Feature image by @thelocdbella
All other images by @thestreetsensei
