As a fashion designer, I am captivated by the level of precision and complexity required to create every garment. I consider myself more of a child who takes pleasure in creating clothes than an artist. The fashion I love is often unconventional in its beauty, and I aspire to challenge the traditional definition of what is considered “standard” by exploring different fabrics and finishings. I think fashion should be enjoyable and accessible, not unattainable. As a result, embracing unconventional aesthetics and a love for the macabre has become an integral part of my sartorial journey.
As an example, for my graduation exhibition, I delved into the Chinese urban village that has historically been regarded as disorganized. I juxtaposed tweed and Hongkong finishes to demonstrate the distinction between the polo shirt regularly worn by migrant laborers. I juxtaposed high-end sequins (Couture) and fine wool (Tailoring) with padding to create an aesthetic contrast to the traditional jackets and sleeve covers typically worn by Chinese grandmothers. I aspire to showcase the beauty of irregularity and dark humor through the use of unconventional fabrics and finishes.
Moodboard, Images of Urban Villages
2023, Shi, collage by Sky Shi
Look1- Migrant Workers, 有钱没钱回家过年(Whether rich or poor, return home for the New Year)
2023, Shi, Photo by Sky Shi
Look2- Chinese Aunties, 阿姨我不想努力了(Auntie, I don't want to strive no more)
2023, Shi, Photo by Sky Shi
Look3- Chinese Grandmas, 退！退！退！("Retreat! Retreat! Retreat!")
2023, Shi, Photo by Sky Shi
Look4 - Chinese Grandpa, 老头乐（Grandpa's joy)
2023, Shi, Photo by Sky Shi
Look5 - Sanitation Workers, 你再不努力就要去扫大街啦（"If you don't strive harder, you'll end up sweeping the streets."）
2023, Shi, Photo by Sky Shi
Look6 - Urban management (officers) and waste collectors, 城管不就一臭收破烂的（Urban management officers are waste collectors）
2023, Shi, Photo by Sky Shi
Look7 - Demolition Clearance Sale, 彻底清仓！！！(Complete Clearance!!!)
2023, Shi, Photo by Sky Shi
Line-ups and Color Story, Illustration and Color
2023, Shi, Photo by Sky Shi
The Urban Village is a community created when a rural village is overtaken by a city, leaving only the homesteads standing. An urban village is an integral component of a city.
I will draw on the visual aspects of the urban village to generate ideas for a variety of characters for this project. Each look represents different people and objects in the urban village. The juxtaposition of classic shapes, unconventional textures and materials gives a visual representation of the dichotomy between the optimism and life of the city center and its grubbiness and disorder in the public eye.
For example, in the role of the migrant worker, I combined patterns of the traditional tuxedo shirt with the polo shirt worn by migrant workers. I used strip fabric to imitate the polo print and pleats of the tuxedo shirt. I added wire under the hem facing, firstly to create the stereotype of migrant workers and also to enable the hem of this garment to be manipulated, hoping that migrant workers can control their lives just like manipulating this garment. For the sleeves and hem of the polo shirt, I used silk printed with flowers to do the hongkong finishing and hand-blind stitches to represent beauty and hope. Flowers occupy a large proportion of this project because flowers are traditional beauty. I want to compare the unique beauty of urban villages with the traditional beauty of flowers.
I wish that this project can help dispel the public’s preconceived notions about people and objects in urban villages, and that the true beauty of these areas can be appreciated.