Mudan Boutique - Unique Asian Jewelry and Gifts

Designer Profile: Fiona Peng

8 June 2006 | written by Dan

This is the first in what will be a series of profiles that introduces you to the creative minds behind Mudan Boutique products. Fiona Peng designs handbags and other fashion accessories.

The basics, please.

I am Taiwanese with Australian nationality. I was born in Taipei in 1976 and immigrated with my family to Sydney when I was two. I arrived in Shanghai in January 2002, but left for a year in 2004 to study accessory design.

Tell us the story of how you got into designing. Was it something you always wanted to do?

I always loved to draw as a small child. During High School and University, I would take drawing lessons in school and outside of school—still life, nude drawing, that kind of stuff. Although I loved art, I studied something totally uncreative at Uni—business management. During the end of my first year of Uni, I knew that business management was definitely not for me, but I finished the degree anyway. Right after college, I went to Milan to study graphic design for two years … and I loved it. After a year working in Taipei, I moved to Shanghai and did graphic design for a manufacturer of bags, which is how I started getting interested in accessories. To design and make a bag or belt exactly how you woud like it to be is probably one of the most ideal jobs any accessory loving girl could have!

How would you define your style? And how did you come up with the name of your label, Punk Pilgrim?

I’d say my style is simple, colorful, vibrant and edgy. I’m a bit of a tomboy, so I don’t like things too girly. And that’s why I wanted a name that was a little more unisex. You never know, I might have products for men in the future!

During brainstorming label names, I had heaps of words scribbled down that I liked, including “punk” and “pilgrim”. It just so happened that I put them together and fell in love immediately with the result, especially since they have such opposite meanings. Together, it makes for a very interesting combination that I hope leaves an impression.

Describe the vibe of the Shanghai design scene right now—is it an exciting place to be creating your pieces?

Yes, of course. Shanghai has come a long way in terms of design since I arrived nearly five years ago. Every year, there seem to be more and more Mainland talents expressing their creativity to an enthusiastic and supportive audience. Shirt Flag is a good example. It’s a design studio that decided to put their Cultural Revolution pop art graphics on some T-shirts and now they have several stores in Shanghai and I’ve heard they will be working with Nike and will also be featured in an upcoming issue of Wallpaper magazine.

Five years ago, a designer’s services, whether interior or graphic, were not as valued. But now I feel that designers in Shanghai have gained greater respect and standing. Two years ago, an expat designer may have had the competitive edge, but now as more overseas educated Mainland artists and designers return to show off their talent, along with their homegrown and locally educated design peers, Shanghai’s design scene is becoming increasingly competitive. This is a great sign, because more exciting and fresh designs will continue to emerge from this energy, hopefully making Shanghai known not only as a business and industrial center, but one day also as the heart of arts and culture in China.

What do you like best about being based in Shanghai?

I love that there are so many creative people out here starting their own little businesses. I know quite a few of them who have full-time jobs, but they are making and designing things—jewlery, maternity wear, clothing—on the side. Shanghai is a city full of inspiring entrepreneurs.

What is it like working in China? Does being here offer unique options in terms of resources and materials available?

For what I do, China is an ideal place to be. All the materials i need—such as buckles, leather, fabric, zips, etc.—are produced here. There is a wide selection and costs are low, especially if you build up a relationship with the supplier—in China it’s all about the guanxi. I’m very lucky because I work for a manufacturer of bags, so I do not have to worry about large minimums.

What are your influences? Your Banna, Beijing and Sanya lines on Mudan Boutique resulted from a chance encounter with a certain pattern found on a piece of fabric at the local fabric market, right? Do serendipitous moments of inspiration happen often? Or do your ideas generally form more organically?

Inspiration may happen organically or, as you say, serendipitously. A lot of the times I wander through the fabric market and buy any fabric that jumps out at me without a specific bag shape in mind. I definitley have a preference for vibrant colors and patterns. In this case, I think it is best to apply them to a very simple bag construction—nothing fancy—as I want to show off the bold pattern and color of the fabric. Sometimes, I might be playing with a piece of paper in a restaurant and somehow an idea for a belt is formed. There have been times when I suddenly get out of bed in the middle of the night to sketch down an idea for a bag. So inspiration can happen anytime, anywhere.

When she is not designing super cool handbags and accessories, Fiona enjoys roller skating and eating donuts. Visit her online at PunkPilgrim.com.

Fiona’s designs at Mudan Boutique:
Hong Kong handbag (black)
Large Hong Kong handbag (black)
Banna clutch (emerald)
Sanya handbag (gold)
Sanya clutch (gold)