Spotlights
Spotlight on Creativity
October 2008
October's spotlight on creativity is local fashion designer Paula Hian. Paula grew up on the Philadelphia Main Line and began designing clothes - drawing, cutting and using a sewing machine - by age five. It was obvious from an early age what her career choice would be.
Paula graduated with a degree in art history from Northwestern University, and then attended New York's Fashion Institute of Technology, where she won the coveted Concours International des Jeunes Createurs de Mode award. The award-winning dress was placed in the permanent collection of the Louvre. Paula briefly worked as a fashion designer for other labels before starting her own fashion design business, Paula Hian Designs, which has been evolving for more than 15 years.
Your name:
Paula Hian
Firm/company:
Paula Hian Designs
Occupation:
Fashion designer
Current Location:
Manayunk
Hometown:
Philadelphia
Favorite Philadelphia neighborhood:
Manayunk!!!.
Best advice you've ever been given:
To live out my dream.
Your favorite thing about living in the Philadelphia Region:
That we are like sixth borough ;).
Why own a business in Philadelphia?
Why not? I opened my flagship store here in Manayunk in 2000 in a 200 year old 12,000sq ft. building which was formerly a hay factory.
How would you market the Philadelphia Region to young professionals outside the region?
It is economical to live here or have a business here and still reap the benefits of a big city. Plus [there is a] strong sense of community that is sometimes lacking in other large cities. And of course we are in proximity to New York and Washington DC.
What advice would you give to young professionals trying to break into your industry/starting their own company?
Work hard and be creative as possible.
Paula Hian Designs is a demi-couture fashion house and vertically- integrated business. The label designs and manufactures two collections each year of women's wear couture and ready-to-wear for the stylish women seeking forward but timeless clothing. For the past two years Paula began designing and making the Paula Hian Paris Collection from a factory in a small town in France that only produces for Chanel, Hermes and Lanvin.
To learn more about Paula and her work in the region, visit http://paulahian.com/