Beatrix Ong
| Privately held | |
| Industry | Fashion |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Founder | Beatrix Ong |
| Headquarters | London, England |
Number of locations | Worldwide |
| Products | Luxury goods |
| Website | www.beatrixong.com |
Beatrix Ong MBE is a London-based British luxury fashion accessories designer, known for her 'classic with a twist' shoes .
She has often been touted as 'The New Choo'[1][2] and in 2004 was named by The Independent newspaper as one of the Top Ten leading shoe designers amongst Manolo Blahnik and Patrick Cox.[3]
Beatrix Ong founded Beatrix Ong in 2002 and the debut collection, was featured in Vogue, Elle and Vanity Fair and continues to have a constant presence amongst international fashion press as well as television and film.
Early life
Beatrix Ong was born in London, England. She was then brought up in Hong Kong and then was educated at Roedean School in Brighton, Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London, London College of Communication, Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and Cordwainers College in London.
Career
2002–2008
Beatrix Ong began her career in fashion as an intern at Harper's Bazaar in New York. At age 22 she became Creative Director at Jimmy Choo Couture. After assisting British handbag designer Lulu Guinness design her much acclaimed first footwear collection, Beatrix Ong launched her own label by the same name – Beatrix Ong in 2002.
- 2004, the first Beatrix Ong boutique opened in London's Primrose Hill. Later that year she was commissioned by the Financial Times to design a boot that was displayed in their London offices.
- 2005, Beatrix created an illustration for Buena Vista International and its film release Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The illustration was showcased at 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Science Museum Exhibition' in London.
- 2006, Ong worked with acclaimed artist, Natasha Law on the design of her limited edition shoe boxes.
- 2007, The Beatrix Ong flagship boutique moved to the oldest arcade in the world, Burlington Arcade, in Mayfair, London.[4] The launch party was attended by British socialites such as Poppy Delevingne, Hon Sophia Hesketh and Violet von Westenholz. DJs were Lisa Moorish and Al Doyle of Hot Chip and LCD Soundsystem.
- 2008, The men's shoe collection is launched under the name Ong London. Named after British film directors, the collection was an instant success. In the same year, Ong entered into a partnership with Chairman of the British Fashion Council, Harold Tillman and Chief Executive of Jaeger, Belinda Earl to make Beatrix Ong "one of the UK's leading luxury brands".[5]
2008–present
- 2009, In Style magazine's Style Prediction for 2009 names Beatrix Ong the 'Hot Accessories Label of the Year'.[6]
For Spring Summer, Beatrix Ong collaborated with Dover Street Market with shoes exclusively for London's leading style emporium.[7] 2009 also saw the launch of the new limited edition shoe boxes are launched. Illustrator Neal Murren, who has previously worked for Jil Sander, Prada and Levi's, has created the new boxes inspired by Beatrix Ong. Sure to be a collectors item, as with the previous boxes illustrated by Natasha Law, the new packaging is available from February 2009.
The second half of 2009 saw Beatrix Ong customise Nike iD Blazer Trainers that were available for a limited period only. Ong also joined forces with handmade luxury luggage brand Globe-Trotter to create an exclusive special edition range of travel cases.
In November 2009, the Beatrix Ong concept store was launched in London's Newburgh Quarter Carnaby Street in Central London for a limited period only. To finish the year and after being a Corporate Partner of the English National Ballet for a year, Beatrix Ong accepts the role of one of ENB's Gala Committee members.
- 2010, Beatrix Ong's customised Nike Blazer for women became available on Harvey Nichols' new 4th floor dedicated to street fashion, while the Beatrix Ong collection was also launched at Liberty of London.
In the Spring, after providing the Autumn/Winter 2010 show shoes for British heritage brand, Aquascutum, Beatrix Ong announces her commission from Aquascutum to design and produce shoes for both men and women. It would be the first time in the brands history that a footwear collection is designed for them. This was followed by a Beatrix Ong shop-in-shop being opened within the Aquascutum flagship shop on Regent Street, London.
In this year, Ong started to gain profile recognition when her portrait was taken by acclaimed musician and photographer, Bryan Adams. Ong was photographed again by another legendary musician – 80s icon Boy George for the Hep C Trust's 'Get Tested' Campaign, launching in February 2011.
In May, Beatrix Ong delivered a speech at The Clothworkers' Hall, London as Guest Speaker at The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers annual white-tie Dinner. She was later invited to become an honorary liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers (one of the City of London's most historic and long-established livery companies), denoting Ong's achievements in the craft of footwear.
In November, Beatrix Ong hosted a special screening at the Apollo Piccadilly of a movie that depicts her great uncle, Dr Sun Yat Sen. Supported by Asia House, the screening featured a special talk and Q&A with Beatrix's uncle, Mr Peter Sun, great nephew of Dr Sun Yat-Sen, Director of Sun Yat-sen Foundation, Director Soon Ching Ling Foundation, Advisor Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Education and Charity Foundation.
In the growing stable of Beatrix Ong short films, Beatrix commissions Director Mark Jubber, co-founder of EXIT Magazine to shoots and edits a film entirely on the iPhone 4. The concept created by Beatrix resulted in a campaign film starring World Pole Dancing Champion, Elena Gibson in her studio, uncovering some of Beatrix Ong's key styles of the season.[8]
The end of 2010 saw the opening of the Beatrix Ong store at 188 Pavilion Road, Chelsea, London.
In 2011, at only 34 years old, Ong was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to the fashion industry.[9]
Ong presented the Royal Wedding of Catherine Middleton to Prince William in April with James Chau for Central Chinese Television. It made history as the first broadcast of a Royal and religious event to China and is said to have captured an audience of 200 million viewers in China alone.
Personal life
Beatrix Ong was born in London, England. Ong is the youngest of three daughters. Her great uncle is Sun Yat Sen, the Chinese Revolutionary and the first President of the Republic of China.
References
- ↑ "Beatrix Ong and Viktor & Rolf Gain Financial Backing". 23 July 2008.
- ↑ "Beatrix Ong: The New Choo". Shoo Magazine. October 2004.
- ↑ "Beatrix Ong". Beatrix Ong.
- ↑ "Beatrix Ong at Burlington Arcade".
- ↑ Pyle, Ally (21 July 2008). "Harold Tillman supports Beatrix Ong". Vogue UK.
- ↑ "Photos".
- ↑ Bumpus, Jessica (23 December 2008). "Beatrix Ong collaborates with DSM". Vogue UK.
- ↑ "Cinema". Beatrix Ong.
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 59647. p. 20. 31 December 2010.
External links
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