Chasing Light: A Journey Through Fashion

Jessica Zhengjia Hu's Award-Winning Collection, "Light"

Derived from the lyrics of artist San Solo's song "Light", the collection embodies the determination and desire to seek light amidst life's difficulties. The collection's color palette transitions from dark, neutral tones to brighter, lighter hues, reflecting the emotional journey from despair to hope. The low saturation and greyish tones symbolize life's inevitable pressures and dark moments, while the gradual shift to natural colors represents the emergence of light, both visually and metaphorically.

Not just a visual concept, "Light" also refers to weight, symbolizing the alleviation of psychological burdens. This is reflected in the collection's use of light fabrics and detachable details, such as removable suspender lapels, pockets, and asymmetric strapped corsets. These flexible features offer the wearer the freedom to express their personal style and preferences, adding diversity and interest to the collection.

The collection's unique properties are further emphasized through the use of low saturated colors to create a gloomy psychological environment. The manipulation of tones with different brightness and contrast enhances the three-dimensional effect on the garments. The use of light fabrics such as cotton, polyester, and Jacquard provides a gentle and comfortable feel, while the creative structures and detachable details offer more possibilities for the looks.

The collection was designed and completed between May and August 2018 in Shenzhen, China, and was showcased at a collaborative runway show with Oxford Fashion Studio during the New York Fashion Week in September 2018. The project's research involved exploring various definitions of "light", leading to the conclusion that the essence of the collection is about maintaining faith, hope, and the courage to express oneself fearlessly.

Despite challenges in color selection and garment detail design, the collection successfully uses shades and tones to contrast brightness and light, rather than relying on bright colors. The addition of detachable details such as lapels, pockets, and corsets enhances the three-dimensional effect of the garments and allows for more variability in the looks. The collection's goal is to encourage wearers to express their own aesthetics and styles fearlessly.

The collection's unique interpretation of "Light", both physically and psychologically, earned it the Iron A' Design Award in 2021. This prestigious award recognizes well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements and contribute to a better world.