The First Seven

"The First Seven" refers to performing the rituals 7 days after the deceased passed away. In this period, relatives must procure salvation for the deceased, to help them to accumulate blessings. I took inspiration from Chinese mythology, Old Hong Kong Horror movies, and Historical events such as Tiananmen Square Protest to speak out on the importance of freedom of speech and the freedom of making art itself. This is a collection that I want to dedicate to all the brave students who fought for their freedom of speech during the Tiananmen Square Protest in 1989 and so many other brilliant people who fight for the right cause all around the world. As someone who is Chinese, it is important for me to use this collection to talk about the censorship in China and how we as the new generation of youth can create a better social environment.

All the garments are created through the process of draping, patterning, cutting and sewing. For the textiles, I have used technical film to permanently heat glue gold paper on top of solid linen fabric as applicate to create a shiny paper effect to resembles paper clothing and paper money that Chinese people would burn to send good wishes to the dead. Fragile mesh are being layered on top of linen fabric as a discussion between the temporal body and the eternal soul. Prints on the silk scarfs are digitally printed, which contains newspaper collage and children’s drawing that deliciated to the Tiananmen Square protest. The hair being sewn throughout the seams are inspired by the sorcery scare of the 1768 soul stealers panic, when people believe that witches could to take their soul by knowing their name and collecting their hair. The Silhouettes resembles deconstructed historical Chinese clothing from the Qing dynasty, the cheongsam originated from the republican period, the classic Chinese tunic suit that Mao wears, and the protester’s wardrobe.