Designing a Range: A Q&A with Wing Chui, Our In-House Eyewear Designer
In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Wing Chui, our in-house eyewear designer and the creative force behind AIKō Eyewear, to explore her design process and the inspirations that fuel her work. Wing draws from the everyday beauty around her, transforming the textures of clothing and the vibrant colours of nature into chic, functional eyewear.
Wing shares insights into her design process, from concept to final product, and discusses how she balances style with practicality. Discover how Wing’s innovative use of materials like titanium and her keen eye for trends are helping shape eyewear’s future.
What inspires your design process, do you visit galleries and art shows, or do you browse online, do you have any go-to inspiration websites?
I usually find inspiration in daily life. I take the time to really look around and notice the details—the structure of buildings, the patterns and textures on clothing, the colour combinations of flowers. These are all things that catch my eye and become sources of inspiration. I love taking photos to capture these moments, and looking back at past journals often helps me discover new ideas and elements.
I take inspiration from daily life—everything from the structure of buildings to the colour combinations of flowers. These details are my source of creativity, shaping each design into something unique and meaningful.
Can you walk us through your design process from concept to final product?
In every design we develop, we carefully consider both comfort and aesthetic satisfaction for our users. The process begins with studying our target group—their personalities, interests, and lifestyles—all of which are reflected in our designs. We start with a sketch, taking into account materials, colours, and dimensions. Samples are then created and experimented with to ensure the best fit for our users’ needs. Once everything is verified, the final step is completing a fully functional product.
AIKO 2203 B – Teal by Wing Chui
AIKO 2206 C – Green by Wing Chui
AIKO 2212 B – Forest by Wing Chui
How do you choose materials and colours for a new collection?
For AIKō, we aimed to create a chic and vibrant look, using bold colours to reflect the wearer’s personality. We selected titanium for its many benefits—it’s not only extremely lightweight, durable, and flexible but also hypoallergenic, ensuring a comfortable experience without any risk of skin reactions.
What are the key elements you consider to ensure both style and functionality in your designs?
User needs, preferences, and behaviours are at the core of creating designs that are both stylish and functional. By understanding these elements, we can craft personalised products that look great and fit seamlessly into our users’ daily lives.
What are the latest trends in eyewear design, and how do you incorporate them into your work?
Current eyewear trends feature retro, minimalist, and bold frames. To stay on-trend while aligning with our brand image, we’ve infused classic eye shapes with bold colours, giving retro styles a fresh, modern twist in our latest collection. We’ve also focused on clean lines to keep the frames lightweight, offering both comfort and a sleek, minimalist aesthetic.
