Woven Sculpture: A Wearable Work of Art

An Innovative Approach to Menswear Inspired by Japanese Joinery and Zen

ChiaYun Hu found inspiration in the aesthetic of Japanese traditional architecture, particularly the craft of joinery. Joinery involves carving woodblocks into specific shapes and then joining them together to create strong and intricate structures. Influenced by Zen, a mathematical principle used in the calculation of buildings, Hu aimed to create garments that embody balance through irregularity and asymmetry.

Woven Sculpture stands out for its use of open-stitch hessian as the main material. Hu deconstructed and reconstructed the fabric through hand stitching, following the principles of Japanese joinery. The collection is composed of rectangular and irregular-polygon pattern pieces, creating a three-dimensional silhouette that resembles a wearable sculpture. The illusion of seamlessness adds to the overall visual impact of the garments.

The realization of Woven Sculpture involved a meticulous process. Just as woodblocks are joined without the use of additional materials, fabric was deconstructed into yarns and used to replace traditional threads for stitching. The pattern pieces feature angles of either 90 degrees or 45 degrees, mirroring the non-curve shapes found in Japanese joinery.

The collection includes a jacket, trousers, and shirt, designed to be worn as a suit or paired with other items from one's wardrobe. Each garment works well on its own, offering versatility and endless styling possibilities for the wearer.

Despite the creative and technical challenges posed by the fully hand-stitched construction, ChiaYun Hu persevered and completed the two garments over a period of two months. This process has also opened up new possibilities for future production methods in the fashion industry.

Woven Sculpture has garnered recognition for its innovation and design excellence. In 2015, it was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in the Fashion, Apparel, and Garment Design category. This prestigious award recognizes well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements.

ChiaYun Hu's Woven Sculpture collection is a testament to the fusion of art, architecture, and fashion. By drawing inspiration from Japanese joinery and Zen philosophy, Hu has created a truly unique and visually captivating range of menswear that challenges traditional design conventions.