Preserving Culture and Identity
This project explores conservation issues, expressing the beauty of the natural environment through an exploration into a variety of materials. It investigates how fashion and fabric reflects cultural and conservation issues, through research and design. The inspiration comes from the nuclear waste and waste disposal problems of an island off the mainland of Taiwan, named Orchid Island.
The collection expresses the natural beauty of Orchid Island through a range of body pieces which combine contrasting materials such as wood, organza and felt to communicate interest in ideas centered around conservation. Research explores the natural elements that surround and give Orchid Island its character, which is now under threat from pollution. The pieces express ideas that deal with fragility and protection combining unusual materials and non-conventional approaches to create innovative pieces that wrap, protect and form around the body. Geometric forms taken from nature combine with the fluid movement of the material, expressing new ideas for the potential of textiles and its relationship to the human body. Experimentation, innovation and the use of technology alongside hand processes explore a new way of creating a product and also exploring the potential of the fabrics on their own.
Kuoyu wants to use textiles not only to communicate stories but to do something good for humanity. Countless places and peoples need our attention and this project addresses these pressing concerns in the world today.
Designer: Kuoyu Wang
Photographer: Rebecca Lewis
Makeup Artist: Snowkei
Model: Scott
