Feeling Butterfly: A Unique Wearable Art Dress by Meiyi Cheung

Challenging Traditional Fashion Sewing with Interlocking Loops

Inspired by the structure of knitwear, Meiyi Cheung cuts sheets of plastic and E.V.A into rows of loops and then hand interlocks them one by one to form the entire dress. This unique structure allows the dress to stretch and conform to any body shape, creating an ombre effect that transitions from blue to translucent colorless. Despite being made without a single stitch or thread, the "Feeling Butterfly" dress exudes elegance and sexiness, just like a traditional evening gown. The dress is adorned with dozens of butterfly cutouts, further enhancing the wearer's feeling of being a butterfly.

The "Feeling Butterfly" dress is a technical marvel. The loop-shaped plastic is hand-knitted row by row, and the interlocking structure makes the dress and tops stretchable to fit different body shapes. The interlock technique is also used to hold the butterfly cutout decorations. As the wearer moves, the butterflies on the surface of the dress flutter like real butterflies, adding a touch of whimsy and enchantment.

The project started in September 2014 in Hong Kong, and the technique used in the "Feeling Butterfly" dress is still being utilized in other fashion designs. A total of three pieces were created using this interlocking technique, all of which were exhibited in China and Hong Kong and showcased on various catwalk shows, including the "Glam Fusion" catwalk at the HK SZ Fashion Week in September 2014, the "HK Fashion Fete" catwalk at SZ fashion week in June 2015, and the GR8 Hullet House 10th Anniversary fashion show in September 2014.

Creating the "Feeling Butterfly" dress presented several challenges for Meiyi Cheung. The most difficult stage was calculating the loop size to fit body measurements and ensuring the accuracy of the interlocking process. A single mistake could ruin the dress and require starting the interlocking process from scratch. Additionally, achieving a smooth and natural ombre effect through color mixing required a high level of focus and imagination.

The "Feeling Butterfly" dress is a testament to Meiyi Cheung's creativity and technical skill. It combines the structure of knitwear with innovative materials and techniques to create a truly unique and captivating piece of wearable art. This design was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Fashion, Apparel, and Garment Design category in 2016, recognizing its outstanding creativity and resourcefulness. The "Feeling Butterfly" dress exemplifies the fusion of art, science, design, and technology, contributing to improvements in quality of life and making the world a better place.