Grace Ling of her namesake label says it's all about unconventional elegance.
It's crucial to have clean lines, but it's also important to have a sense of wit and humour. It's a strategy that clearly works, as evidenced by Jennifer Lopez's latest stunning outfit, which was created by the 24-year-old designer — who has a natural talent for fusing creativity with environmentally aware practices.
Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn, a stylist duo, sneaked into Ling's DMs regarding a unique project including J Lo, which led to the wonderful pairing.
The stylists had originally requested simply a black ensemble from the brand's second collection for the shoot, but Lopez was so taken with the look that she had to place a special order for the same pieces in white.
On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the singer wore the look during a live performance with Maluma. Having my work recognized by such a great star was a wonderful surprise, Ling explains. "The look is deceptively simple on the surface, but the way it combines 3D printing with meticulous construction makes it rather sophisticated.
Ling, who was born and raised in Singapore to creative parents, has always believed she was meant for a career in the fashion industry. The designer knows a thing or two about clothing design, having graduated from Parsons and Central Saint Martins in 2020 and establishing her brand the same year — as well as cutting her teeth at labels like The Row and Thom Browne previously. However, what distinguishes Ling apart is her ability to place 3D printing, CAD and CGI at the core of her practice whilst maintaining a minimalist-chic aesthetic. These digital processes lead me to create unique forms, the designer explains. It also helps to calculate the precise amount of materials needed, so there’s zero waste.
Grace has a bright future ahead of her, as she expands her small crew and moves into a studio location that can handle larger projects. When asked who she wants to work with next, she adds, "Funnily enough, I'm already in conversation with folks I've been hoping to dress for quite some time." But, like always, we'll have to wait and see what happens. We're keeping our eyes peeled.
