Nostalgia Moon: A Wearable Art Collection by Chelsea Shin

Chelsea Shin's Award-Winning Design Inspired by Lunar Phases and Personal Memories

Chelsea Shin's "Nostalgia Moon" is a collection born out of a promise to her grandmother and the designer's personal memories. The moon, with its round shape, phases, delicacy, and transparency, served as a significant inspiration for Shin. As she looked up at the moon in the night sky, she found herself recalling good memories and praying for her grandmother. This emotional connection to the moon is beautifully reflected in her designs.

Shin's collection stands out for its unique approach to design. In 2021, she began designing "Nostalgia Moon" by incorporating circles into basic bodice patterns. Flexible boning was added to the edges of each garment, emphasizing the softness of the round moon that Shin observed every night. The result is a collection of garments designed in three dimensions, mirroring the roundness of the moon.

All the looks in the collection were draped on a size 4 female dress form and a size 36 male dress form. The project started in South Korea in August 2020 and was completed in New York in May 2021. The design process was not without challenges. Initially, Shin printed a large circle and covered the entire body, starting with the head. She then experimented with how to incorporate this large circle into her designs in a more interesting and diverse way.

Shin's collection has been recognized for its creativity and originality. The "Nostalgia Moon" collection was awarded the Bronze A' Fashion, Apparel and Garment Design Award in 2022. This prestigious award is given to outstanding and creatively ingenious designs that demonstrate experience and resourcefulness. The award is a testament to Shin's strong technical and creative skills and her ability to contribute to quality of life improvements through her designs.

The collection is accompanied by a series of photographs by Jay Lim, each capturing the essence of "Nostalgia Moon." From "Ylang Ylang (The Starry Night)" to "The F(ul)lower Moon," these images provide a visual representation of Shin's unique design concept. The copyrights for the "Nostalgia Moon" collection belong to Chelsea Shin, 2021.

In conclusion, Chelsea Shin's "Nostalgia Moon" collection is a testament to the power of personal memories and natural inspiration in design. Through her unique approach to design and her ability to transform personal experiences into wearable art, Shin has created a collection that is not only visually stunning but also deeply meaningful.