Vancouver Fashion Week SS25 Interview W/ Designer Josh Woh of JOSHER W (Taiwan)

Josher W will be presenting their SS25 collections on the runway at VFW Sat., October 26th, at 5:50 p.m. You can purchase your tickets HERE.

From the VFW Website -

Born in Pahang, Malaysia. I pursued a degree in fashion design in Taiwan. After graduation, I founded my own fashion label after gaining practical experience in a suit-making studio as well as a streetwear brand. I enjoy exploring the boundaries of conflict, striving to harmonize bold, contrasting elements from everyday life and integrating them into my designs.

JOSHER W aims to break away from traditional seasonal fashion and trends, focusing on designs that suit the tropical climate of Asia. My collection is not only stylish but also functional, meeting the practical needs of modern life.

JOSHER W SS25 endows garments with functionality through fabric and silhouette design, aiming to capture the daily traces of wear in the tropical climate of Southeast Asia. It deliberately highlights the unique phenomena caused by high temperatures, celebrating the aesthetic of fashion styling in a tropical climate.

Interview - 

Please share a bit about your journey to embrace fashion design as a career.

My journey into fashion design started back in high school around 2010, during the height of KPOP's popularity. I was a huge fan, and what intrigued me the most was how different the idols' stage outfits were compared to what I was used to in Southeast Asia. I was captivated by the intricate performance costumes they wore, and that curiosity led me to pursue fashion design. As I studied, I gradually realized that clothing is a powerful medium—one that can express a designer's personality and ideas, and also serve as a way to showcase oneself to the world.

After graduating, I worked as a designer for two brands with very different styles: a bespoke suit shop and a streetwear brand. Through these experiences, I gradually discovered my own design identity. I realized I wanted to use fashion to convey more interesting ideas, so I decided to turn my passion into a career and started my own brand. For me, fashion is not just a form of personal expression but also a way to communicate culture, emotions, and stories.

How did you learn your skills? 

Before university, I had never studied abroad, so I chose Taiwan, the country I was most familiar with, to pursue fashion design. During my time at university, I mastered the fundamentals of garment construction and design, but much of my growth came from hands-on work experience and participating in fashion design competitions. After graduating, I worked for a bespoke suit shop and a streetwear brand, which exposed me to two very different approaches to design and craftsmanship. Additionally, competing in design contests helped me gain more experience and understand how competitive my designs were in the market.

 These experiences equipped me with valuable practical skills and allowed me to refine my design style. I also believe that self-learning is essential in fashion, so I continuously explore new techniques and trends.

Who are you as a designer? Aesthetic? Customer? Brand?

As a designer, I believe my design style does not have a fixed aesthetic. I enjoy combining two contrasting styles, whether it’s chaos and serenity or the contrast between formal and casual. I find it both challenging and fascinating to create harmony from such stark contrasts through design. Additionally, I am actively working towards environmental sustainability, aiming for each garment to be practical and functional to meet the demands of modern life.

My target audience consists of those who wish to experiment with their outfits but are afraid of being too bold. They have a desire to dress up but prefer not to be the center of attention. They appreciate unique design details in wearable styles and want to maintain a sense of fashion while feeling comfortable. I hope to create clothing that instills confidence and connects the stories and cultures behind the garments, offering not just fashion, but a lifestyle rooted in culture and self-expression.

What comes easiest for you as a designer? What is hardest?

As a designer, I believe the easiest part for me is the creative process. I can always find inspiration from various sources, whether it's culture, nature, or everyday life, which sparks new design ideas. I enjoy transforming these inspirations into concrete designs and exploring different styles and elements.

 The most challenging aspect is translating those ideas into wearable garments. This includes considering fabric choices, cutting techniques, and production feasibility to ensure that the final product is not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical and meets market demands. Particularly, balancing innovative design with commercial viability while maintaining sustainability and environmental consciousness is an ongoing challenge for me.

However, completing an entire collection by myself is not easy, as I am not someone who makes decisions quickly. Every decision made from the discovery of ideas to the realization of wearable garments affects the final outcome. To make better choices, I often spend more time contemplating and deciding, which adds complexity to the entire process.

Where do you find inspiration for new collections? How important is colour to your design process?

I find inspiration from a diverse range of sources, often from the small details of daily life, insights about existence, and the meaning of life. I frequently engage in self-dialogue, asking myself questions like, ‘Why not try doing it this way?’ or ‘Wouldn’t it be interesting if we approached it this way?’ I try to think outside the box regarding ordinary things around me, breaking conventional thought patterns, which generates a lot of creative inspiration for my designs.

Color plays a crucial storytelling role in a collection. The right colors can help guide others in understanding my creations more easily. I typically don’t limit myself to specific color palettes; rather than using bold, high-saturation colors, I prefer to pair neutral or low-saturation colors. This enhances the wearability of the pieces and helps avoid rapid obsolescence due to seasonal color trends, which aligns with my commitment to sustainability.

Readers would love to know more about the collection you be showing at Vancouver Fashion Week.

At Vancouver Fashion Week, I will showcase JOSHER W's first spring/summer collection, “FEVER.” The inspiration comes from my observations of office workers in tropical Asian climates. I incorporated these everyday details into my designs, amplifying elements that are often overlooked yet embody the essence of summer, such as sunburned skin, sweaty underwear, rolled-up sleeves, and tank top tan lines showing through shirts. Each piece in this collection focuses on wearability while featuring unique design details, allowing the wearer to feel fashionable in their daily life.

I pay special attention to fabric selection, committing to using sustainable materials. This collection primarily utilizes durable fabrics to extend the lifespan of each piece. In terms of color, I chose easy-to-match neutral tones, complemented by blue and white stripes and stone-washed denim, creating a more cohesive overall style while enhancing the versatility of the pieces.

Do you have a favorite look in this collection?

One of my favorite pieces in this collection is a black sleeveless suit from Look 12. This unique design combines two sleeveless suits with different shoulder widths, zipped together to create a fusion of a tank top and a suit silhouette. The inspiration came from office workers sweating in long-sleeved suits during hot weather. I decided to remove the sleeves and create a tank top-style suit jacket that’s perfect for summer. The versatility of this sleeveless suit allows for multiple styling options, enhancing its sustainability and making it a timeless piece for different occasions.

Where can readers purchase your designs?

Our 2025 spring/summer collection will be available for purchase starting in January 2025. For now, you can place orders through our brand’s social media platforms—just search for JOSHER W on Facebook or Instagram and contact us directly. The designs will also be available on our official website once it’s fully launched in January. Additionally, we’re collaborating with select boutique retailers, so our products will be available at more locations in the near future. For updates on new releases and brand news, feel free to follow us on social media.

What's next for you as a designer and your brand?

I am planning to collaborate with artists from other fields to launch capsule collections, and I will continue to explore how to integrate innovation and sustainability into my designs. I am also working on the 2025 spring/summer collection and planning to expand the brand’s visibility by collaborating with more international fashion weeks, so more people can see the work of JOSHER W. At the same time, I will keep advancing the brand’s sustainability goals, exploring more eco-friendly materials and production techniques. Our next step is to improve our website and collaborate with more boutique stores, making our designs accessible to global customers.

In closing is there anything else you'd like to share with readers?

In closing, I’d like to share a thought: when life feels mundane, take a moment to pay attention to the details and people you usually overlook. When you observe closely, you'll discover the hidden surprises in life. I hope you enjoy JOSHER W's designs, and I look forward to your continued support of our future developments!

Links -

• Website - www.josher-w.com (coming soon)
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094600932694&mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Instagram - @josher.w