THE STORY OF SOPHIE YANG
The fashion Designer Talks Running a Business Before and After Kids
Originally from Shanghai, Sophie moved to Berlin in 2007 to further her training as a classical pianist. Fast forward twelve years, and Sophie is now married and has a four-year-old son and baby on the way. She is also the founder of Sophie Yang Berlin, a clothing collection featuring timeless pieces in cashmere and silk, all designed by Sophie herself. The collection is notable for its simplicity, femininity and a carefully curated use of quality materials. I recently sat down with Sophie to talk about how she got into the fashion business, what’s changed for her as a business woman since becoming a mother and how she continues to stays inspired as a designer.
Wunder Stories Let’s start with how you got into designing clothes.
Sophie Yang So it was 2009, and I was looking for more classic style dresses. These weren’t so easy to find here in Berlin unless you went for luxury brands. Most of the local designers were doing more edgy styles, so I started designing my own clothes. At the time I was still working as a pianist, and didn’t start out with the idea of starting a business. I was just looking for clothes that I wanted to wear.
I got in touch with my mom’s tailor in China and asked her to make some clothes for me. In 2010, I rented a small space on Torstraße for 50 euros a day during fashion week. By some crazy turn of events, some buyers from Vienna made a large order, thus turning what was a hobby into a business. I had a studio space and started making clothes for some PR companies that worked with TV and film. At this time, there weren’t so many companies doing classic styles. Since 2015, though, this has changed.
Finally, we invested in a space on Linienstraße that we intended to rent out. But before we found a tenant we decided to use it as a popup shop for my clothes for a couple of weeks. It was very successful and we figured it made financial sense to open up my own brand, and thus Sophie Yang was born. None of this was really planned...I’m an incredibly lucky person!
WS Did you have a mentor when you started your business?
SY I looked to my family, especially my husband, for business advice. In the beginning I did share an office with a woman entrepreneur. She is twenty years older than me and helped me out a lot. Seeing her, a single mother at the time, and running a successful acting agency showed me that being a working mother was entirely possible.
WS I think it’s important for successful business women to also talk about the support network they have. I know Christian, your husband, is an integral part in making life as a working mother a success.
SY Yes, I have a very helpful husband. I’m lucky that he’s an early bird. He wakes up at 5:30 in the morning and finishes much of his work before Leo even wakes up. In Germany, most business is done in the morning, so Christian can finish his work by lunch time. This helps to make our lifestyle possible. Where I come from (China), it’s not like this. Parents are often taking calls late into the night….it’s so much healthier here, more supportive of parents working outside the home.
“When I’m designing I consider more factors than before...I want to make clothes that can be worn for twenty years, before, during and after pregnancy.”
WS So, let’s talk about some of the pros and cons of running a business after kids.
SY Let’s start with the cons...there is of course a lot less sleep than before and I can’t travel as much as I used to. I have to be flexible and work around Leo’s schedule.
As for the pros, I’ve found that my mind is even more open, making me more creative. When I’m designing I consider more factors than before...I want to make clothes that can be worn for twenty years, before, during and after pregnancy. I’m also more brave with colors. I played it safe before, paying more attention to market forces. But now I’m so inspired by my son, the time I spend coloring with him. Sometimes we forget about basic things like coloring...the more original and creative ideas come back.
I also work so much faster than before! I can’t procrastinate as much, which gives me much more quality working hours. You realize how much you can do, how efficient you can be. This is why I’m already working on my next business venture!
And lastly, kids don’t lie. It’s such a nice feeling when Leo tells me I’m wearing a beautiful dress. I know he means it.
WS So tell me, what is this next business venture?!?
SY My husband and I are working on bringing German doctors to China in an effort to give people access to better healthcare. Stay tuned!
WSWhat obstacles do you see facing women who want to start their own business?
SY Networking doesn’t really mean the same thing here in Berlin as it does back in China. You can’t depend on your social connections as much. You have to be very clear and proactive when looking for business connections.
WS Any advice for women looking to open their own business?
SY In Germany it’s very important to get a really good Steuerberater (tax advisor) to guide you through the process. Obviously this is especially important for those who don’t speak German
WS What expectations do you have about the arrival of your second child?
SY To be honest I haven’t thought about it much. I’m so much more confident this time around.
WS Plus, you don’t have the time to think about it!
SY Exactly.
WS Let’s turn to the clothes for a bit. How would you describe your style?
SY I guess smart casual. I like simple cuts, timeless looks and quality materials, like cashmere and silk. I believe in making clothes that are the opposite of fast fashion. A unique style comes from adding pieces to your collection over time.
“I listen to a piece of music to help discover the direction I want to go in with my clothes. When I go to the opera, for example, I contemplate the character and imagine what she would wear.”
WS Where do you go for inspiration?
SY Classical music. I listen to a piece of music to help discover the direction I want to go in with my clothes. When I go to the opera, for example, I contemplate the character and imagine what she would wear. I also look to classic movies. And I loved A Single Man, and how Tom Ford incorporated his design vision into a movie and made everything so beautiful. I would love to do the same some day.
WS What current clothing trends are you excited about?
SY I love the movement toward sustainability in the fashion industry. Even fast fashion brands are using more quality materials, which you can see reflected in price increases in some big name stores…which I think is a good thing!
WS What's next for your own collection?
SY Until now my clothes have been either 100% silk or cashmere. I’ve recently found some great blends I want with to work and add additional pieces into my collection, like blazers and jackets.