Beier Lyu BA (Hons) Fashion

During lockdowns, I was stuck in my room wanting to go out into nature, dying to breathe fresh air. But all we can do is go online live in the digital world, watch videos, and play games. I bought flower bedsheets and wallpapers with the forest printed on them, hoping to cope in a room of fake nature. I made my own lenticular fabric with change patterns when looking from different angles. Inspired by old edits of tacky flowers and fake grass fences used to cover up construction sites.

Digital nature - what is real and what is manmade? Am I in a dream or am I awake? As I wanted to lay in a Flower bed, constantly lay in bed and people come to visit with flowersI thought of 3 possible situations: -Sick in bed -Hospital -Dead in a coffin.

Health issue caused by over usage of the internet #1: Insomnia.  When the internet and social media is the only source of social interaction. It is easier to compare ourselves to the people who look successful. I suffered from insomnia all through the lockdown. So I filmed myself and others twisting and turning in bed. The swirling seams express the dreamy/ half-awake mood and the frustration.

When I can not sleep I pay attention to detail of the human skin and body like no other time of the day. These red velvet fabrics with black floral print remind me of the pork skin and the cupping marks. While it is slightly disturbing, it is still shown in a 'happy' floral, feminine way. Just like what the nighttime is to me, a time to myself and my weird obsessions. I contrasted the velvet with the lenticular material to give it a mix of contemporary and vintage tackiness. 

Health issue caused by over usage of the internet #2: Neck & muscle pain caused by bad postures.  I looked into all kinds of sleepwear like robes, and housecoats alongside neck pillows and massagers. The aim is to warn people about their physical and mental health issues. The colors I used are the bright colors on the emergency vehicles and hi-vis uniforms. The knit textile is a representation of the muscles on and off the body, inspired by surgery cutting.

Toiles & development.  The sleeves are inspired by hair-drying towels. The back of the design was going to be padded as if the wearer is using a massage chair. But after testing it out, It looks too playful and similar to the back of a dinosaur. Therefore, I made quilted animals instead. They will be padded onto the back of the robe. Animals are part of nature and are one of the purest spirits in my heart. I wanted my garment to comfort the body and soul, and be part of one's healing night routine.

Textile: Silver lace/ quilting.  I researched two vintage sleepwear: A night dress and a pair of underpants. Giving it a contemporary approach, I experimented with making lace with quilting and beading. Mixing silver with fleece creates a clash between futuristic and comfort like the shoe I took apart.

I am a womenswear designer that comes from a multi-cultured background, usually working with experimental materials and knit, embroidery and quilting. My BA final collection is inspired by digital nature & health issues.

I was back in my home country after 10 years of overseas study during the 2020 pandemic. I experienced a lot of reverse culture shock which made me feel alienated and confused about my identity. Who I am or what I’m supposed to be. During the lockdowns, I realized the physical and mental issues that I and the majority of our generation are experiencing. Because of advancing technology and social media, our bodies and mind are never getting enough rest. During the lockdown, I wanted to go out into nature, but all we could do is go into the digital world, watch videos, and play games. I bought flower bed sheets and wallpapers with the forest printed on them, hoping to cope in a room of fake nature. I made my own lenticular fabric with change patterns when looking from different angles, inspired by old edits of tacky flowers and fake grass fences used to cover up construction sites.

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