Bio -
In May 2023, Zhang expanded his influence by opening the JUMPER ZHANG Paris Studio. His designs have graced the pages of renowned fashion magazines like VOGUE, BAZZAR, ELLE, Fashion COSMO, Rayli, and Marie Claire. Zhang's cross-industry collaborations have spanned notable names such as China Resources Group's Grand Hyatt Hotels, Chow Tai Fook, Huawei, LVMH's Guerlain, VOSS, Queenlin Qilin, and Dayang Creation.
While skillfully blending Eastern aesthetics with contemporary haute couture, Zhang Peng opened a boutique in Vancouver in March 2024. This marks his first store in North America, signifying the international expansion and increased influence of his brand.
Interview -
In 2008, I embarked on my journey as a professional model, a career that spanned five years. This experience deepened my interest in fashion, leading me to a significant milestone in 2013 when I founded my own brand, JUMPER ZHANG. In the same breath of inspiration and ambition, I also established a haute couture workshop that year, marking the beginning of a new chapter in my creative endeavors.
How did you learn your skills?
During my youth, I was a professional martial artist and was fortunate enough to win the national championship in both Tai Chi and Tai Chi sword in 2003, achieving the rank of master athlete. The philosophy of Tai Chi, embodying the essence of Chinese classical scholarship with its emphasis on internal and external harmony, strength and flexibility, and the beautiful balance of yin and yang, later provided me with endless creative inspiration as a fashion designer.
My father was among the first to venture into business as a clothing merchant, and my mother was one of the first fashion models sent abroad by the government. Growing up in such an environment, I developed a deep love for the art of fashion. After retiring from professional sports in 2008, I became a model. During my time in modeling, I fell deeply in love with the field of fashion art, which inspired me to establish my own fashion brand, JUMPER ZHANG, in 2013.
I design luxury fashions that pursue beauty and elegance with a simple, natural, and clean design, showcasing the beauty of urban elites through exquisite tailoring. My brand emphasizes ergonomics, harmony, and comfort in wear, featuring grand, meticulously crafted cuts with intricate details as its signature style.
Exposure to art during my time in France helped to establish my brand's French romantic flair. Handcrafted details with artistic depth, precious fabrics, and unique patterns convey Jumper Zhang's harmony, nature, and intelligence. Choosing the right materials is very important. I work with top-grade natural fabrics that reflect my brand's craftsmanship and bring a comfortable yet exquisite texture. My aim is to provide wearers with a sense of ease and comfort, presenting urban aesthetics in simplicity, uncovering the inner charm of high-net-worth individuals, and adhering to a philosophy of pleasing oneself and others.
My brand - JUMPER ZHANG - offers enduringly modern designs imbued with a spirit of romantic fashion. My work adheres to the philosophy that "life and dress are both forms of art," emphasizing a comfortable yet exquisite lifestyle, making life full of ceremonial sense and love, and promoting a lifestyle where "life and dress are both forms of art."
The easiest part is finding inspiration.
The hardest part is breaking through my own existing limitations to ensure that each new release is more spectacular than the last.
Where do you find inspiration for new collections? How important is colour to your design process?
This season's inspiration theme is "Circle," reflecting the beauty of all things in the circular realm. The "Circle" is derived from humanity's reverence and worship of the sun, making it one of the oldest abstract decorative patterns in China. The "I Ching" (Book of Changes) states, "From the Great Ultimate comes the Two Modes, from the Two Modes come the Four Forms, and from the Four Forms come the Eight Trigrams." As a national champion in both Tai Chi and Tai Chi sword, and a national master-level athlete, Zhang Peng is deeply influenced by Tai Chi in his designs. The "Zhouyi · Explanation of the Trigrams" records "Qian represents heaven and is circular," indicating that in the primitive Chinese cosmology, the circle was considered the shape most capable of change, perfectly embodying the unique aesthetic concept of the Chinese nation, hence possessing extremely vigorous vitality.
The color scheme should be harmonious and unified, suitable for both motion and stillness.
An Introduction to Jumper Zhang
Readers would love to know more about the FW26 collection you will be showing at VFW.
For FW26, we will be presenting Beyond the Archive Light, a collection rooted in couture craftsmanship, material development, and refined handwork. This season, we placed a strong emphasis on creating textiles in the atelier, which gave the collection a rich sense of texture, movement, and dimension. Hand beading, featherwork, frayed chiffon, and sculptural floral details are all woven throughout the collection. Overall, FW26 reflects our ongoing interest in balancing softness with structure and tradition with a more contemporary elegance.
Readers are welcome to visit our boutique at 2207 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6H 4H7, which remains the primary way to experience and purchase our designs. We recommend booking an appointment in advance to ensure the best service and a more personalized experience. Our designs are also available through our website at www.jumperzhang.ca, and readers can reach out to us directly through social media - links below.
What's next for you as a designer and your brand?
Throughout my career, I have always carried a sense of gratitude, adhered to industry rules, and never forgotten my original intentions. Along the way, I've received help from many people, and I hope that one day I can give back to society and the industry. I will do my utmost to advocate for Chinese designers.
Links -
- Website - www.jumperzhang.ca
- Facebook - JumperZhangCA
- Instagram - @JumperZhangCA
- Youtube - @JumperZhang
- Twitter - @JumperZhangCA
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