Weiran is a fashion designer based in New York City. She is currently a MFA candidate in the Fashion Design and Society program at Parsons School of Design. Weiran’s work uses digital techniques to reinvent regular objects in the world of fashion design. She aims to create a new visual language through digital manipulation and textile experiment, constructing new visual elements in three-dimensional spaces, blurring the boundaries between physical and digital worlds.
In her latest collection “Speculative Ecosystems”, the young fashion designer explores the symbiotic relationship between the organic and mechanical structures and the ever-changing relationship in-between these objects.
Interview of Weiran
Could you tell us more about your latest collection “Speculative Ecosystems”?
“Speculative Ecosystems” includes several pieces from the mask to earrings. I created this collection to show the balance and imbalance in society’s eco-sphere. We all live in an evolving world today, where the organic and the artificial co-exist. Many people think the organic and the artificial are in conflict, but in fact, few people realize mechanical stuff is finding its balanced way to live with organisms. Inspired by this revelation, I blended synthetic materials with seashells and other natural products to create wearable but imaginative pieces for my audience.
“Speculative Ecosystems” is a very unique collection in your recent design. What’s the moment that inspired you to create “Speculative Ecosystems”?
I came with the idea during quarantine. New York City had been locked down for a few months. Being stuck at home, I had plenty of time to observe and talk to my plants. When I was taking care of my terracotta plants, I found something interesting. I realized the roots of the indoor plants took the shape of the pots. I believe this is a certain kind of coexistence.
We found the pieces of gloves in “Speculative Ecosystems” to be very intriguing, can you tell us more about them?
The “Speculative Ecosystem” explores the balance and imbalance of biology and technology in shaping our eco-sphere. I blended natural elements with synthetic materials in the collection and portrays a future ecosystem where organic and artificial exist in an equal and mutually dependent relationship.
You said you applied 3D modeling into your design. How did you do that？
I studied Visual Communication Design for my undergraduate. Visual expression is an interactive exploration in both 2D and 3D worlds. I like to integrate visual technology and new textile materials in my work. When brainstorming for “Speculative Ecosystems”, I used 3D modeling to illustrate the patterns of co-existence between pots and plants and this led to the creative concept of the collection.
How do you define your design style?
My design style is to create a new visual language via digital manipulation and textile experiment. During this process, I construct unique visual elements in three-dimensional spaces and also blur the boundaries between the physical and digital worlds.