Alfred Sung (born 14 June 1948) is a Chinese-born Canadian fashion designer, producing apparel, fragrance, accessories and home fashions for women and men. He was born in Shanghai and raised in Hong Kong. Sung is the brother of late Hong Kong actress Lydia Shum.[1]
Contents |
Sung aspired to become a fine artist contrary to his parents' wishes that he pursue a traditional profession. In time, his father compromised and agreed to send him to Paris where he studied couture at the notable Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne.
After graduating with first-place honours, Sung moved to New York City to study at the Parsons School of Design. Upon completion, he began the task of honing his talent while working as an assistant designer for a Seventh Avenue dress manufacturer.
In 1972, Alfred Sung moved to Canada. His next step was designing for a sportswear manufacturer in Toronto's garment district. After using his fashion illustration skills to supplement his income, Sung opened a tiny shop called Moon in Toronto's trendy Yorkville neighbourhood.
In 1980, Sung joined forces with Saul and Joseph Mimran to create Monaco Group Inc., the corporate entity that would develop the Alfred Sung brand and the ready-to-wear collection directed to working women. Within months, the Alfred Sung brand appeared in major department and specialty stores across Canada. In 1981, the Alfred Sung label was launched in the United States through Saks Fifth Avenue, later appearing in Macy's, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. That same year, Sung opened his first freestanding store in Toronto's Hazelton Lanes. In 1983, Canada's national news magazine, MacLean's, proclaimed Alfred Sung as Canada's "King of Fashion."
In 1986, with the launch of Parfums Alfred Sung, the Sung trademark its profile by becoming a fragrance brand. Sung by Alfred Sung, the first ladies' perfume launched in 1986, was followed by Shi Alfred Sung in 2001 and Alfred Sung Paradise in 2003. In 2005 a new signature fragrance, Jewel Alfred Sung was launched.
Alfred Sung and the Mimrans have embarked on an aggressive fashion licensing campaign unprecedented in the Canadian fashion industry. The Alfred Sung licensed product lines include fragrance, eyewear, sunglasses, watches, bridal, jewellery and fashion accessories, men's clothing and accessories, among others. In 2005 the Alfred Sung Home collection was launched exclusively through Zellers-HBC in Canada, and includes furniture, bedding, bath, home decor, tabletop and kitchen products.
During his design career, Alfred Sung has garnered significant attention, and is the recipient of numerous awards for his fashions and industry accomplishments.