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(an extract from AMOEBA Dec 1996 issue interview):-

That�s right, Ti Ti is the columnist for AMOEBA�s [CX260].

He now resides in Paris. He went to Paris when he was in his teens and worked in a hair salon. When he went back to Hong Kong later on, he opened a fashion boutique called "LOCOMOTIVE". After that, he saved up some money and studied in STUDIO BERCOT, France. Before he finished the course, he has already stepped into the STYLING profession.

He has worked as the stylist for Faye Wong, Ho Chiu Yee and Taiwan singer, Cheung Shen Chit. Ti Ti only goes to Hong Kong when there is a job. Otherwise, he will stay in Paris to continue his styling work for various magazines and fashion shows.

....During the time I stayed in HK, I saw this little article which described Faye�s [Impatience] album cover as "Oily- Faced- Sweet- Dumbling look". "Pathetic" is the word they used. They said since we have already asked Faye to play monkey in the "NO SEE, NO HEAR, NO SAY" suite of photos, why didn�t we ask Faye to tie up her hands that conveys: "Don�t write if it is impolite" or "Don�t Do" and add to the suite !! When I work for Faye�s album cover, the degree of freedom is large. I don�t even have to care about the current trends . If I have a story in my mind, I�ll try to transform it. Usually I would come up with the concept for the next album cover the day we finished shooting for the previous one. I got the concept for [Di-Dar]�s album cover the day we finished shooting the [Sound of Decadence]; while for [Impatience]�s cover, the day when we finished [Di-Dar]. I might have some other fresh ideas during the period but I supposed the first impression/concept is always the most dominating, so most of the time I would end up using what I first came up with!

A week or two before the photo shoot, I will start discussing with the photographer, make-up artist and hair stylist. I don�t have the so-called "file" or "notes" for the team (except the time with [Faye�s sound of Decadenc]�that time Faye suddenly asked me to take up the job urgently, and it was the first time I ever worked with any HK crew). I will only tell you the feel I wanna get, and let everybody add their own element to it. The final chemistry will only be something unexpectedly startling or stunning.

When I work for a singer�s album cover, I always add my own emotions, because I have to tailor-make an imaginative world and unique character for the singer. This is the extreme opposite when doing a "fashion story" for magazines, where you imagine "your own world" first, before you search for the right people to do it, like directors and photographers etc, the last thing you decide is which part those people play (in the "world" ). Mentioning "Fashion Stories", I realised I�m blessed. (although it is hard to get into the industry at first). I had once shooted a fashion story for AMOEBA in HK and it is so hard. When I borrowed clothes from boutiques, they treated you like a dog. On the contrary, when you�re in Paris, one phone call can borrow you the clothes, and you can concentrate on the creatives. I would choose brands that are not considered to be the most popular. And if I like something, price is not my consideration. Actually, a lot of people in the Paris fashion industry are very conservative. I still remember the day when T-shirt and mini skirts were really popular and I suggested we tried suits, nobody bothered to listen to me. It was not until half a year later when suits and knee-high skirts began to make the scene that the "director" decided to take the shoot. I understand that because I�m not in the industry long enough, it is hard to gain people�s trust. I used two years, the first to open up my career path, and the second year to prove my fashion sense to others. If only I know how to socialise and network, I might only need half a year.

My habit is that I like working with people I�m familiar with. For instance, photographer, makeup artist or hair stylist. At least two people on the crew should be someone I know quite well. I don�t mind using new people, but I need to have a feeling of "team work". I really like working in a "relaxed" way. If I ever feel under pressure or when things get political, I�ll "bounce off" straight away.