Ziyue Tang, a visionary fashion designer, embarked on a profound journey with her latest collection “SONG OF SAMSARA,” drawing inspiration from a poignant legend from her hometown. The collection was born out of a deeply personal experience—her grandmother’s passing, marked by the presence of a butterfly at the funeral, a significant omen symbolizing the passage into the next life. This poignant moment served as a catalyst for Tang, leading her to explore themes of life, death, and rebirth through the lens of the Ouroboros, an ancient symbol of a serpent eating its own tail, symbolizing the eternal cycle of existence.
As an advocate for sustainability in fashion, Tang sought to infuse her designs with a deeper purpose. She chose to use eucalyptus leaves for dyeing, a meticulous process that challenged the norms of fast fashion. “The process of dyeing the fabric is quite complex. It involves immersing eucalyptus leaves in white vinegar, placing them over wet fabrics, rolling the fabric with a tool, and boiling it for hours. The result is a stunning blend of silk and linen,” Tang explained. This commitment to sustainability underscored her dedication to creating garments that not only looked beautiful but also reflected her values.
The intricate dyeing process mirrored the elaborate layers of Tang’s designs, each piece reflecting a different facet of the eternal cycle. From ethereal butterfly-inspired ensembles symbolizing transformation to flowing capes evoking the sensation of flight, Tang’s collection captured the delicate balance between fragility and strength. Through her innovative use of silk and linen, she created garments that embodied the essence of transformation, embracing texture and depth.
In her explorations, Tang ventured into designing capes digitally printed onto linen, evoking the graceful movements of butterflies preparing to take flight. The use of silk in another series drew inspiration from the cocoon’s transformative state, creating pieces with a rich, textured feel. Symmetry played a central role in her collection, drawing from the concept of balance in nature and featuring botanical patterns digitally printed onto silk organza, creating a sense of harmony and equilibrium.
One of the standout pieces in Tang’s collection was a bustier and trousers ensemble intricately designed to resemble the winding layers of an ouroboros. Rooted in her heritage, Tang incorporated traditional Dong ethnic embroidery techniques, paying homage to her grandmother and her cultural roots. The intricate details on the garments mirrored the graceful movements of a butterfly, adding a touch of elegance and tradition to the modern designs.
Ziyue Tang’s approach to fashion transcended mere aesthetics, embodying a philosophy of understated charm and enduring elegance. Her designs captured the essence of wabi-sabi, embracing the beauty found in life’s imperfections and fleeting moments. Through her collection “SONG OF SAMSARA,” Tang showcased not just her creative prowess but also her commitment to sustainable and meaningful fashion, leaving a lasting impression on the industry and her audience.