Androgynous By Butterfly Lovers: A Blend of Heritage and Innovation

Polly Ho's Award-Winning Womenswear Collection Inspired by Chinese Legend

The collection draws its inspiration from a tragic Chinese love story, "Butterfly Lovers," often compared to the western tale of "Romeo and Juliet." The narrative revolves around Zhu Yingtai, who disguises herself as a boy to attend school, and her companion Liang Shanbo. Their deep bond and Zhu's unexpressed love lead to their transformation into inseparable butterflies after death. This legend forms the thematic backbone of Polly Ho's collection.

"Androgynous By Butterfly Lovers" is a unique blend of femininity and masculinity. The collection features prints inspired by the legend, with a color palette reflecting the story's mood through burgundy and dark forest hues. The butterfly motif is a focal point, with Loom Loop's designs favoring both singular and mixed print looks. The use of luxurious silk adds fluidity to the structured silhouettes, while tubular shapes in the dresses introduce a masculine element.

The collection also includes pieces crafted in Canton silk, a traditional Chinese fabric. These minimalist designs with subtle detailing and block coloring highlight the fabric's unique characteristics. The entire collection comprises 30 outfits, all in UK size 10.

The design process involved extensive research into the Chinese legend, drawing elements from books and films to create the graphic prints and silhouettes. The team faced the challenge of designing all the graphic prints in-house, drawing by hand before manipulating the images using computer graphic software. These designs were then digitally printed onto silk fabric. Some graphics were simplified for laser cutting and embroidery, which were then attached to the garments.

The collection was created between October 2015 and January 2016, making its debut at the official New York Fashion Week Catwalk in February 2016. Polly Ho's design was recognized with the Silver A' Fashion, Apparel and Garment Design Award in 2017, an accolade given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise, innovation, and artistic skill.

In conclusion, "Androgynous By Butterfly Lovers" is a testament to Polly Ho's ability to blend heritage and innovation, creating a collection that is not only sustainable but also deeply rooted in Chinese culture. The collection's success at the A' Design Award underscores the potential of such cross-cultural, cross-era design approaches in the fashion industry.