Let's continue the Academy of Art University thread that started on Monday by looking today at the work of another graduate, Zhangchi Wang. This interview was originally done for Zoot Magazine.
At first glance the grey palette of the collection designed by Academy of Art University BFA graduate Zhangchi Wang may call to mind the shades and consistency of industrial materials such as concrete.
Yet, by looking a bit better at the rigidly linear silhouettes behind the collection, you soon realise that the main inspiration actually comes from somewhere else, sculpture, and in particular traditional Chinese stone carvings and a work of art, "The Dream of China" by Wang Jin (View this photo), a contemporary mixed-media piece embroidered with fishing line.
At times Wang's sculptural clothes look as if they were encasing the body into an oversized shape, cocooning it into a concrete cage.
Together with his colleague Maria Romero, Zhangchi Wang was offered in May an interneship at McQueen's fashion house by its Creative Director, Sarah Burton. Wang also received a scholarship to study at Studio Berçot in Paris, France.
Can you tell us more about your background?
Zhangchi Wang: I was born and raised in China in a city near Hong Kong named Shenzhen. I have been studying sketching and painting since the age of ten. After I graduated from high school, I came to the United States.
Who has been the greatest influence on your career choices?
Zhangchi Wang: My tutor introduced me to the world of art. I have always been greatly fascinated by all kinds of art. However, it was a book my father gave me when I was thirteen years old that introduced me to the concept of "fashion." The book was Fashion Illustration Skills by A. L. Arnold. I fell in love with the drawings. Then, during my second semester in Fashion Design at the Academy of Art University, I saw the 2009 Fall/Winter collection by Maison Martin Margiela and was so surprised and inspired as I didn't know fashion could be done in such a way. I told myself then that there are so many possibilities in the world of fashion.
Can you tell us more about your creative process: do you sketch or create on the dummy?
Zhangchi Wang: The first stage of my creative process is always the image research. From my inspiration I create several fabric manipulations. I may go back and do more image research at this point, but usually I look at fashion history that parallels the artwork that I use as inspiration. I sketch as soon as I have ideas, and continue sketching throughout the whole process.
Your collection is all gray with minimalist and rigid shapes, what inspired the colour palette and the silhouettes?
Zhangchi Wang: The colour is supposed to imitate stone, since I was inspired by Chinese stone carving. Classic menswear inspired me in terms of silhouettes and patterns and I played with the proportion to create a broader shoulder and hidden neck. The theme for this collection would be "walking sculpture."
What kind of materials did you use to make your designs?
Zhangchi Wang: Wool knit and wool coating were used in the quilting in order to create the texture.
What are your future plans?
Zhangchi Wang: I feel so lucky I was offered an internship by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen in London and I am looking forward to working at the fashion house and learning from her and her team!
All images by Randy Brooke
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