2026 | Student

MUSE Design Awards Gold Winner

THE HUG

Entrant

SONGLAN WU

Category

Fashion Design - Handmade

Client's Name

Country / Region

United States

THE HUG collection is inspired by a photograph the designer captured in her hometown after years abroad—a moment when tree branch shadows formed the shape of open arms, as if offering a gentle embrace. This imagery became a symbol of healing and warmth, embodying her desire to reconnect with nature and with herself. Rooted in this emotional return, the collection reflects the interconnectedness of living beings and their environments, echoing the quiet resilience, harmony, and tenderness found in the natural world. Composed of six sculptural looks, the series explores the vitality of life at a cellular level through the use of wool needle felting, silk mohair, and woven fabrics, rendered in red and neutral tones that evoke the textures of tissues, skin, and living matter. Each garment is shaped through a meticulous process that includes wool needle felting, hand knitting, draping, and patternmaking across both woven and knitted materials. Internal boning and layered construction techniques give the pieces their controlled volume and structural stability, while hand sewing, beading, and fabric manipulation introduce intricate surface details and refined finishing touches. Through these methods, THE HUG becomes not only a study of materiality and form, but also an intimate expression of the designer’s personal journey—an invitation to embrace life’s complexities, connections, and the soft strength found in moments of return.

Credits

Research Assistant
Zhenhao Ruan
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