Shijie He

Shaping of the Female Form / Next to Skin
Introduction to Fashion, Body, and Garments

My name is Shijie He, a sophomore transfer student at the SAIC. First six images are my collection called Null, inspired by the incident of Hong Kong’s Extradition Bill in 2019. N95 Dress is made up of more than fifty N95 masks; the installation-like accessory on model’s shoulder is consist of PVC materials and umbrella stands. Umbrella Stand Shawl is also made up of PVC materials and umbrella stands, which is inspired by injured people holding umbrella in the protests. Mask Printed Dress is made up of enlarged makes printed fabrics and non-wovens. Image 7,8 and 9 are inspired by the movie Her, I tried to express the heart breaking feelings people have in their relationship, using elements such as electrocardiogram and women silhouettes. Image 10 is a Pleated Layer Dress made up of muslin and acrylic paints inspired by my bonds with my grandma.

Null Collection Overall, 2019, umbrella stand, mask, pvc.

Inspired by the incident of Hong Kong’s Extradition Bill in 2019.

Null Collection - N95 Dress, 2019, umbrella stand, mask, pvc, helmet.

I used N95 masks as my garment's fabric. Shoulder accessory is made up of umbrella stands and PVC.

Shijie He - Null Collection - Umbrella Stand Shawl

Null Collection - Umbrella Stand Shawl, 2019, umbrella stand, pvc.

Shawl inspired by injured people holding umbrella in the incident of 2019 Hong Kong’s Extradition Bill.

Shijie He - Null Collection - Mask Printed Dress

Null Collection - Mask Printed Dress, 2019, non-woven fabrics, printed cotton.

Enlarged makes printed on the fabrics.

Shijie He - Null Collection - Experiment

Null Collection - Experiment, 2019

I extracted the most significant element in the protest: masks and umbrellas. I used umbrella fragments and PVC materials to make an installation-like accessory. Also, I played with masks to compose different silhouettes. Using masks, non-wovens, I draped a top.

Null Collection - Line-up, 2019

Line up and collection figure.

Her Collection - Experiment, 2019, infusion bag, shirt

Inspired by the movie Her, I tried to express the heart breaking feelings people have in their relationship, using elements such as electrocardiogram and women silhouettes.

Her Collection, 2019

Design progress and collection line up.

Her Collection - Line-up, 2019

Collection line-up and fabric board.

Pleated Layer Dress, 2020, muslin, acrylic

2020 means a lot; it was an uneasy time for me, so I put all my fragile feelings and emotions into this piece of garment. Inspired by a conversation that I have with my therapist when she suggested me to express your emotions using art as an approach. In this piece, I painted what my grandma normally says in the video chat with me. “Don’t cry.” “Study hard.” “I miss you too.” “I love you.” Her phone number. Her name. I painted all of these to reminds myself of what a loving family that I have. When I paint the fabric and write these words, I feel reliving and touching. I feel like that all my scars are healing through this paint.

“Freedom What?”, 2019, Video, 36 secs.

Umbrella and masks were the essential elements that I extracted, the main tools for protesters to protect themself; I made an installation, inspired by both the Hong Kong protest and the 2013 Ukraine Mirror Revolution, a cracked umbrella covered with mirror and foil, aiming to convey the intolerance of violence.
In the video, I used graffiti to replicate how the violence happened in the subway station and referring the concept of freedom to call on a peaceful opinion statement and arouse the pursuit of truth.

As an artist and designer, art is a form for me to express feelings, emotions, and experiences.

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