Meet Chawis Saelim | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chawis Saelim and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chawis, how do you think about risk?
I firmly believe in high-risk high rewards but needed to come with well-thought-out risk-taking. The path that I choose has been altered every time I take risks, it can back-fire immediately without preparation for that result. I started my career in making clothes with zero sewing knowledge, and grind to where I am now.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started my career in fashion when I entered CCAD as a fashion major with zero sewing or fashion knowledge, all I wanted at the time was to do illustration and art. I discovered designers like Rei Kawakubou and Yohji Yamamoto who created a garment that is like a wearable piece of artwork. I decided then that’s what I wanted to do, I wanted to make a garment that is like the art that exists for the sake of the art and make people feel something and be inspired to create. I get to where I am today is a lot of passion towards my work and the people around me. It was not easy I had to study my craft and do my extra research to try to be better every day.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love German Village so much! There’s so much good food and a great park. Since I am doing photography as my hobby, I love walking around and taking photos because the village is so beautiful. I also love to go to Kenny Center where there’s Tensuke market, a Japanese grocery store and restaurant, and Belle’s bread bakery which makes a very delicious dessert.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to give a big thank you to my Mentor Crystal Zhang, she’s took me under her wing and I was able to gather experience and meet a lot of important people while I was with her. She’s a great designer mentor and great friend, one opportunity that I will not forget is when she made me her assistant at New York Fashion Week. It was an important experience that I got to do before graduation and to feel what it’s like to be backstage in New York.

Instagram: @chawis_noir

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/chawis-saelim-35aa68249

Image Credits
_shishoots for the one where I was working on the white dress The rest are a photo by me.