Vevant is an exciting new online fashion magazine that offers cutting-edge style coverage for men and women, along with professional social networking that allows fashion industry insiders to connect directly with like-minded people around the globe.

Ce Ce sits down with Vevant to discuss everything from her start in fashion to her inspiration for the Spring 2010 Collection.

After working for some of the American greats (Calvin, Donna and Michael), Ce Ce Chin decided to set off on her own and start 80%20, a footwear line that reflected Chin’s own personality—jovial, carefree and just plain fun. That was five years ago, and the orders haven’t stopped since. Vevant got a chance to track down this maven of shoes and see what’s been on her mind (and her feet).

Why fashion design for you, as a form of creative expression?
As a “tween” I would sneak into the closets’ of my older sisters and parents and assemble outfits.  It was like a very, very early form of lookbook.nu. This was a source of entertainment for me—I would much rather dress up than practice the piano. When I found the outfit that worked it felt like a creative accomplishment to me. I would be so excited to get dressed for school in the morning.

What inspired your spring 2010 collection—and what’s the most unlikely place you’ve found inspiration (now or in the past)?
Looking at vintage fashion magazines is really nothing new, but I recently discovered Viva magazine from the seventies—an adult magazine for women published by Bob Guccione and Penthouse.  I thought it was going to be more smutty, but instead I found some great fashion shoots by Arthur Elgort and an article about Diane von Furstenberg.  The photos have that gauzy soft-core feeling (and yes there’s a lot of seventies nudity), but the images are quite natural and sweet.

What would you like to be doing (dream job) if you weren’t a fashion designer?
I would be a dog trainer for Pomeranians.

Tell me about the person who has had the greatest impact on your life (and why did they have such an impact)?
My grandfather, who was a stained-glass artist, used to tell me that we had a gift because we were creative people.  I’ll always remember that.

What one piece of advice would you give a young designer just starting out in the industry?
To always focus on the positive.

I love the concept behind your label’s name. Will you explain it for us?
80 percent life + 20 percent shoes = 100 percent love
It’s about the 20 percent of your life that makes 80 percent of the difference.
80 percent body + 20 percent mind = 100 percent human
80 percent innovation + 20 percent integrity = 100 percent ingenuity

You started your career with some NY legends: Calvin Klein, Donna Karan and Michael Kors. What were those experiences like? What did you learn while working for them? Any horror stories?
Now that we’re celebrating our five year anniversary, I have even more respect for those NY legends. Fashion is an ever changing and demanding landscape, yet designers have to remain themselves throughout the process. The big brand designers have really earned their place.  They’ve invested time, energy and commitment and have been through so many evolutions.

What have you learned in these past five years?
You have to evolve to meet your customers’ needs, but you have to be yourself.  This applies both to the way you run your business and also the designs themselves.

Has the economy affected how you think about your brand?
The economy has helped us refocus on the brand message:  the lifestyle you lead, the footwear that takes you there.  It’s not just about the shoes, because clearly there’s a lot of shoes out there (in stores and in our closets already). It’s about living the life—fun-loving fashion and easy, effortless style.

Why footwear as opposed to another type of fashion design?
I always believe you can tell a lot about a person from their shoes. Shoes are the root force of fashion.  An outfit is not complete without the right footwear.

Our Marlee in Blue/Green is also featured in Vevant’s women’s editorial, Tropical Punch.  Take a peek at slide 4 of 10!