INCU OPEN HOUSE
WORDS BY NFC STUDENT RUBY MACKENZIE
It’s one thing to experience a brand in store but it’s a whole new level of excitement being welcomed into a brand’s HQ.
The excursion to Incu HQ was a fashion student's dream, from seeing “Incu” splayed in big letters across the front entrance to actually sitting and talking to the Founders.
Kicking off the excursion, we met the Founders and twin brothers, Brian and Vincent Wu, who led us around the warehouse and office explaining their vision behind it. Up until March 2020, Incu was split across 3 buildings, each in different suburbs. Brian went on to explain “We wanted Incu to be altogether”, following their key goal of community and communication.
Working closely with Architect, Akin Atelier, the Founders were able to create a space suited to their vision, transforming a run-down mechanic’s workshop into a vibrant and welcoming creative space.
We finished up the tour in the Incu outlet store, where of course myself and other NFC students couldn’t help but browse through various racks of clothes labelled from Adidas to Rag & Bone to Diesel.
Vincent and Brian talked through their experience in developing the company and the 21 year journey to get where they are today. Their inspiring insight was met with handfuls of eager questions from NFC students, myself included. The twins delved into their childhood experiences in Hong Kong, shopping with their mother in stores they didn't feel necessarily accommodated them. Creating their company Incu, in 2002, gave them the opportunity to create an inclusive and welcoming community they themselves wished to experience. ‘Creating community, curating experience’. They also spoke about hardships they endured and their resilience against them, remembering why they were there in the first place.
Following this personal journey in Incu’s development, we were able to listen to some of the brand’s staff talk about their experience both in their careers and their work at Incu. Having the chance to learn about their individual journeys from moving countries, countless internships and varied pursuits of university education, I learnt no two people will have the same experience.
To wrap up the day, we were enlightened on the inner-workings of fashion design. The Incu design team presented a powerpoint outlining the meticulous work that goes into designing a new line of clothing, including prototyping, fabric selection and trend updates within a short time frame.
We then finished our excursion with an opportunity to put our design and modelling skills to the test with a mini runway show. Given 20 minutes to develop an idea for a shirt, top, or jacket, and create it out of paper and sticky tape, the experience was a fun way to collaborate and challenge us. Each design was met with rowdy applause and the winning group was given the opportunity to choose a product from a rack of gorgeous Incu designs.
Walking into Incu HQ was intimidating at first, but that feeling was quickly cast aside after meeting the company's lovely employees and seeing the community that had been created. Brian and Vincent’s stories about their journey with Incu was inspiring to say the very least.
As a whole, this excursion to the Incu headquarters was uplifting, awing, and I’m so glad to have had the opportunity to attend.