Istituto Marangoni Shanghai

Student Name: Ma Qiaolan

Capsule collection title: Light Rhapsody

Concept collection: In this world, much of what we perceive is not as it appears to the naked eye. Visual illusions often arise from the interplay of external factors, much like the way we perceive light as colourless and invisible when, in fact, it is full of colour. Sunlight, for example, is a spectrum of various monochromatic lights. Newton’s experiment with a prism revealed light’s hidden spectrum—red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple. A rainbow is nature’s way of unveiling this spectrum, with raindrops acting like countless tiny prisms, refracting and reflecting light to reveal its vibrant hues. In my collection, “light” serves as the central motif, with each piece capturing the visual wonders that nature offers us, particularly those hidden from our everyday sight. I have chosen taffeta as the primary fabric for this collection due to its unique ability to evoke the ethereal quality of clouds. Through extensive experimentation, I’ve combined light with this fabric to recreate the natural phenomenon of light passing through clouds, reflecting a spectrum of colours. One highlight of the collection is a gown made from rainbow fabric, paired with a taffeta coat infused with blue light. This ensemble symbolizes the breathtaking moment when a rainbow emerges from storm clouds, capturing the beauty of light penetrating through after a thunderstorm. Bold experimentation is the cornerstone of my approach to fashion design. In this collection, I’ve fused ready-to-wear garments with exaggerated silhouettes and integrated lighting elements to push the boundaries of conventional design. The result is a playful yet striking collection that marries “fun” with “beauty,” making those who wear these pieces feel both cool and radiant.

Student Name: Qian Tianhao

Capsule collection title: Symbiosis

Concept collection:In this collection, I delve into the concept of “parasitism” through radical structural experimentation and the fusion of diverse elements. My first inspiration comes from the idea of twin beings, like Venom from the Marvel universe, or mythical creatures with multiple heads and limbs—entities seemingly at war for control over a single body. These creatures, locked in a struggle for survival, are echoed in my designs through the merging of clothing structures, resulting in garments that feel as if they are a single, evolving organism. This might be expressed as an extra limb—an additional hand or leg—growing out of the fabric, symbolizing the parasitic relationship between form and function. Another profound influence on this collection is Marilyn Manson, a musician whose dark, controversial persona and affiliation with Satanism inspired me to explore themes of possession and inner darkness. Drawing on the imagery of Satan as a goat, I use materials like goat horns and sheepskin, alongside distressed fabrics, to create garments that appear tainted or corrupted, as if a dark force is emerging from within. Hand-stitched details further this idea, giving the sense that these clothes are not merely worn but are inhabited by something sinister and alive. The third inspiration stems from the two-headed snake, a rare and fascinating creature often doomed to self-destruction due to its internal conflict. This creature’s duality is reflected in a garment made from snakeskin, designed to be reversible and worn in multiple ways, symbolizing the snake’s bidirectional nature and the struggle for dominance within a shared body. This design challenges the traditional concept of clothing by offering multiple perspectives within a single piece. The final piece in the collection plays with the concept of visual distortion and trickery. I incorporate elements such as a false pocket to create an intentional “error,” making the garment appear as if something has gone wrong. This aligns with my ongoing exploration of destruction and deconstruction in fashion, where the imperfections become the focus rather than the flaw. This collection is a personal exploration, a crucial step on my path to becoming a “real” designer. It’s a process of combining elements that intrigue me—structures, forms, and ideas—to see what new possibilities emerge. These garments are not just clothing; they are bold expressions of imagination and creativity. They embody the dreams and visions of those who dare to imagine something beyond the ordinary—exactly what has been missing from my wardrobe.