We Don't Follow Our Dreams, We Chase them
By Victoria Lei 

Brand information

"One day we will make a difference," 10 years ago, three high school friends promised to each other.

2013, the three young fellows set sail for their dreams. Larm's Legend, a local apparel brand founded this year, has brought Macao a stream of incentives and unlimited creativities. 

The three founders, Sergio Lao, Nino Chan and Sam Tam hope to push their utmost to enhance the status of potential young designers by providing them a quality display platform to develop their ideal.

Lao explains the concept behind the brand: "Larm's" stands for no meaning, we create meaning for that. The concept behind "legend" is that it could either be a story of a miracle or gossip of failure. Achievements determine your success.

"Persistence makes dreams come true". Larm's Legend gathers professionals from different areas of knowledge, sparing no effort to promote the local fashion trend. Specifically, it teams up with Macao local designers to create a set of unique fashion products that no one has ever done in Macao.

They believe all their dreams can be brought to life.

Taki Wong , a university student of mix design in IPM, and Sum Mio, who works as a teacher, both are post-90s, share their fashion design experience in Larm's. Let's listen to their stories about how young designers are given opportunities to explore their talents.

Tell us why you decided to work in Larm's Legend at the beginning? 
Wong: I was invited by Sergio, one of the founders. He knew that I was interested in design when we met, but he didn't know if I would go to study design or not. Yet he invited me to join, I saw the opportunity, without hesitation I said yes.

Mio: Once I was shopping with my sisters and we passed by this shop, I was attracted by its local design products. I started to find out more about this brand and noticed that they were looking for designers, I took this chance and joined.

What are the differences you feel about working here?
Wong: I think among other local brands in Macao, we have the most number of young designers from different backgrounds. Here we communicate and share ideas, our goals and directions are decided by folks of our age. Designers have free spirit, if we're restricted and made to follow, it's not design at all. Our bosses never consider us as "employees", instead they call us "partners". I appreciate their trust and the chance to explore what a post-90s can do before we step into society.

Mio: I have to admit that they really provide us a big freedom to do what we want. Ideas are not restricted and I don't feel stressful .As one of the founders, Lao said, "Designers are not constructers, we create ideas, not  follow."  I find my own way of looking at things here. I find satisfaction and I learn a lot from the passionate founders.

What difficulties did you encounter at the early stage?
Wong: At first I was not confident and worried about the disparity between me and those experienced designers since I was new and not qualified enough. It took me sometime to organize my thoughts and luckily my partners supported us a lot.

Mio: I studied arts in university. Design is more restricted compared with arts, as it needs to consider customers' comments and requirements. So I've learned how to accept and improve my design since I started working here.

As a post-90s designer, how do you view yourself and this growing group in Macao?
Wong: I think parts of the 90s are tagged with a negative image and description, but that doesn't cover the whole group. I don't agree with that, I am creative and passionate in my dreams, which makes me who I am. In this age of Internet, multimedia inspires us a lot; it's a balance between the old and the new.

Mio: Honestly, I love to play. However, this characteristic is an advantage in design. We are eager to discover new elements, what designers are afraid of most is "boredom". Our persistence is a gift when we're focusing on our interest, and we love subculture. This makes our generation unique and irreplaceable. I enjoy having my own style.

Do you think the Macao government should give more incentives to the local cultural and creative industries?
Wong: Recently the Macao government has facilitated more incentive measures to local cultural business, which is good for us. Neighboring Hong Kong has many successful samples for us to take reference from. I do believe that the cultural business in Macao has a potential to be successful like other big cities.

Mio: It helps a lot if the government is willing to help and patronize, since we (the 90's) are growing up and are ready to step into society. We will consider whether to stay or go abroad to develop. If Macao provides more opportunities for us, for sure we would want to concentrate more here and contribute to society.

In your opinion,  what can be done to change the stereotype in Macao, including the 90's and aesthetics?
Wong: We have to be good enough to change the future of Macao, practice makes perfect. Computer provides tons of information, but not the whole world. We should keep dreaming and discovering inspiration from life, and work out everything with passion.

Mio: We should always go traveling; all discoveries come from daily observation, read more and broaden our view, attend to news and emerging trends. Be disobedient, willing to be your own person is the best way to influence others.