Karina Foo (Founder and designer of Lady Bold, a designer & boutique athletic wear collection)

Lady Bold is slowly making bold waves in designer fitness-fashion with its focus on hand drawn artwork and masterpieces by the founder, Karina Foo. The journalist turned artist and designer has created an impressive boutique collection that overshadows mass produced offerings with her use of strong colours and highly detailed patterns. As a result, each piece tells an intense but unique story that defies the mainstream. Here, Karina talks about how her creations embodies edginess and defiance.

Lady Bold的设计师兼创始人Karina Foo以大胆又特出的波浪形手工绘制艺术制作健康时尚。这名从媒体工作者转化为艺术设计师的年轻女性，创作令人印象深刻的精品汇集，运用强烈色彩和高度细致花纹，让每一片手工绘品充斥着打破主流的张扬与独特气息。在这里，Karina Foo也谈到她的创作如何体现鲜明和锐利感。

Your designs and artwork is definitely very bold. What inspired you to create Lady Bold?
I love colour, drawing and fitness so the collections are made as wearable art that’s been inspired by cultures, festivities and a celebration of colour. There are a lot of brands in the sports clothing market but many offer mainstream patterns or colours that are quite common and plain. I wanted to create a premium product that stands out, isn’t part of the norm and certainly to make an impact.

你的设计和艺术作品展现，绝对是非常大胆和充满挑衅，是什么促使你创造Lady Bold？
我喜爱颜色、绘画和健身，因此这些汇合也创作时装艺术，然后受到文化，节日和庆典色彩启发渲染。目前运动服饰市场品牌众多，但提供的是相当一般，普通的主流图案或颜色。我想脱颖而出创作优质的产品，但并非规范，以确实造成冲击。

 Who is Lady Bold?
Lady Bold (not only limited to ladies), is someone who loves beautiful creations. She or he doesn’t conform or blends in. You can be any age or size but you’re comfortable in your skin. When you wear the apparel, it’s not just your normal sportswear, you’re wearing a unique work of limited edition art while working out. The artwork pushes boundaries with its eccentric and edgy motifs and for the wearer, it’s about awakening their creative soul and not being afraid to express themselves.

谁是Lady Bold？
Lady Bold(不仅限于女性)，是给予那些热爱美丽作品的人们，可以是任何年龄或体型，但却贴合和让你的皮肤舒适。当你穿上这些服装，它不仅是正常运动服，而是限量版又独特的艺术作品，边缘又古怪前卫的图案也是唤醒大家的创作灵魂，不要害怕表达真实的自己。

Can you describe the design process?
In a nutshell, it takes about two months to complete one design. I first sketch and draw a design, colour it with inks, digitise it on software and get it printed on high performance sports fabric. A great deal of research has also gone into the fabric and stitching quality where the newest technology is used to make durable and comfortable athletic clothing.

可以描述下整个设计过程？
简而言之，需要约两个月的时间完成一个设计。首先素描和勾勒设计，涂上彩色颜料和利用数码软件把图案印制在高性能运动服饰面料。我也研究了许多衣服材质和缝合的质量，引用最新技术制出耐用和舒适的运动服。

What makes quality and premium athletic clothing and can your range be worn for lifestyle wear?
Quality athletic clothing is very different from your everyday wear and you need something that’ll last with the intensity of your exercise. We use a method of stitching called “double flat lock” to create a seamless look where the threads are smooth and won’t irritate the skin. There’s also a strong layered gusset with two to three way stitch lines to prevent fabric tears. The material compositions are patented as LBoost™ High Tech Fabric where it wicks sweat away to keep you cool and dry while the soft microfibers provide comfort so it can be worn when you’re not exercising. The method of printing for the artwork is high end digital prints so the colours stay strong and last even after washing several times.

优质的运动服饰有何特点，能延伸到生活休闲服装吗？
高质量运动服饰与日常穿着服装相当不一样，需要能够持续运动锻炼强度。我们使用所谓的“双面平锁”拼接方式设计出无缝的外观，线迹是光滑的，不会刺激皮肤。还有2-3道加固的缝线，防止布料撕裂。而材质组合包括获得专利的LBOOST™高科技面料，让你远离汗水，感觉凉爽和干燥，而柔软的微纤维提供舒适性，即使没运动锻炼也可穿着。采用高端数码印制的艺术图案，连洗几次后依旧保持颜色鲜艳。