RICHARD GIEN, former assistant of leading local designer Thomas Wee, has just completed his first year in the London College of Fashion.

“Hard working!” wrote the baby-faced 23 year-old in his letter here. Yet, Gien—like the others—said he is enjoying his studies as well as the cultural ambience of Europe

Before joining Wee, Gien went to design class at National University of Extra-Mural Studies.

He worked with Wee for about a year and helped him launch his successful downmarket Mixables range, before leaving for London late last year.

Gien, who is due back soon for a holiday, has said that he would like to return here after his studies and set up his own firm.

—John de Souza