Arts Thread

"Urban Zen" is my graduate collection for Spring/Summer 2013 at the University of Architecture of Ho Chi Minh City. Based on the idea of Flexibility in Feng Shui Philosophy could liberate people from social restriction and stereotype, and offer a new freedom in lifestyle, from living to clothing. Target customers are women who practice Zen lifestyle, mindfulness, and meditation, aged 30 to 45. Using both natural and synthetic materials like silk, organza, shan-tung to knit, rayon, and Visco, with calm and muted color schemes is a challenge to maintain the balance of different feelings of textures, all the accessories and shoes are hand-made. Garment construction is minimal, free in size, as comfortable and straightforward as the cloth wrapped around the body, inspired by the Asia monk clothes. Styling gets reference from Kwan Yin’s image - the female Buddha of Asian countries. As an attempt to preserve local heritage in the age of globalization, I created my collection to embrace my love and concern for Vietnam's culture and people. The project explored the possibility of multi-functional clothing, through draping, wrapping techniques, and creative placements of twisted, holes, bows, and ties that are applied on daily garments. This is also my first step in researching zero-waste cutting techniques, with the last look in the collection, a 4-meter long train that has the shape of half a circle, turning into an elegant and contemporary dress, giving space for a statement necklace made of natural stones.