Yicong Li is a Chicago-based interdisciplinary fashion artist from Beijing, China. She utilizes her background in the two vastly different cultures, challenging the boundaries of fashion through masquerades and sculptural forms around the body. Exploring her interest in the masquerade cultures worldwide, Yicong dedicates herself to creating a safe and equal space for the wearer, in which the masquerades would eliminate the physical feature of human bodies and add the characteristics of fabulous abstractions. Furthermore, Yicong believes in generating a utopia-like “society” with her works. By wearing her pieces, the wearer would have the freedom and opportunity to communicate and channel their inner selves.
Yicong Li is now moving her practice into live installations. With her interests spreading to video editing and sound engineering, Yicong Li is now creating live performances incorporating garments, stage design, video imaging, and sound effects.
Goddess, 2023, Machine Knitted and Crochet Cotton Structures, Performance,Photo by Roy Zhu
Goddess is a machine knitted garment using cotton thread only. Inspired by the knitting structure, I created a goddess character that sees everything. Goddess is one of the characters in my performance piece.
Goddess, 2023, Machine Knitted and Crochet Cotton Structures, Performance, Photo by Roy Zhu
Goddess is a machine knitted garment using cotton thread only. Inspired by the knitting structure, I created a goddess character that sees everything. Goddess is one of the characters in my performance piece.
Jingle, 2023, Crochet, Braided, and Machine Knitted Structures, Wool Yarn, Performance, Photo by Roy Zhu
Jingle is a half-length, two part garment using wool yarns only. Incorporating different fiber techniques into one piece of garment, jingle is a playful character that celebrates craftsmanship and joy.
Bound, 2022, Knitted and Crochet Structures, Polyester Yarns, Performance
Continue to explore my interest in knitwear and masquerade. Bound is an evolution phase of my previous body of work. Incorporating the masquerade idea throughout the garment, I extended the range of the mask to the whole body. In addition, I have a deep connection with handcrafting, creating surfaces with strings (yarns); every detail in this garment was hand-made by me. Moreover, like my previous work, Bound is not only about the garment but a whole ensemble of immersive experiences that contains attire, performance, music, and video. I was able to work with a professional performer for the most optimal effect of the show, and I completed everything else in this work. As my first project in my graduate program, Bound is a sketch of what I want to work on next.
Pink Lump, 2022, Crochet Mask, Yarns, Photo by Fashion Department SAIC
Experimental Project on Mask Study.
Aqua, 2022, Crochet Mask, Yarns, Photo by the Fashion Department at SAIC
Experimental Project on Mask Study.