Revolutionizing Fashion: Mei Pan's X World

Unveiling the A' Design Award Winner: A Fusion of Art, Heritage, and Science

Mei Pan's X World is a testament to the beauty and complexity of nature, and its potential to inspire and revolutionize the fashion industry. The design was sparked by the X-ray images of insects by Nick Veasey, which captivated Pan with their blend of emotional and rational beauty. The exoskeletons of the insects, depicted in the images, were transformed into clothing, creating a unique and striking aesthetic.

The uniqueness of X World lies in its fusion of art, heritage, and science. Pan was drawn to the color changes in Veasey's images, reminiscent of Chinese ink and wash paintings, and the organic combination of animal bone structures. She incorporated these elements into her design, using the traditional Chinese palace lantern craft, red sandalwood, and pear as bone, spun silk yarn, and colored glaze as clothing. The result is a layered construction of exterminated insect bones on the human body, a design that is as beautiful as it is unique.

The realization of X World was a meticulous process, involving the exploration of different materials and combinations. Pan eventually settled on a combination of iron wire skeleton and silk gauze, which provided the right balance of lightness and flexibility. The design specifications of the clothing are a width of 660 mm, a depth of 30 mm, and a height of 72 mm.

The interaction with the design is as unique as the design itself. Pan describes the clothing as a natural "airbag" that provides protection in difficult or mentally challenging situations. The "exoskeleton" clothing provides a temporary sense of security, embodying beauty, fragility, thinness, and toughness.

The design was realized between February and March 2021 at the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts. The project involved extensive research into the materials and combination methods, as well as the palace lantern technology of China's intangible cultural heritage. The design also posed creative, technical, and research challenges, including the inheritance of the palace lantern craft and the combination of a large number of handicraft work and components.

Mei Pan's X World has been recognized for its innovation and creativity, winning the Golden A' Fashion, Apparel and Garment Design Award in 2022. The award is granted to outstanding and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom, advance art, science, design, and technology, and significantly impact the world with their desirable characteristics.