The Control: A Fusion of Fashion and Sculpture

Exploring Tingting Han and Nicole Hon's Award-Winning Design

Imagine a world where fashion is not just about patterns and prints, but also about sculptures and three-dimensional forms. This is the world that designers Tingting Han and Nicole Hon have created with their project, 'The Control'. Inspired by a hypothetical future where humans and animals coexist in harmony, the designers have used animal imagery as a fashion element to express human characteristics and personalities.

The uniqueness of 'The Control' lies in its innovative use of animal elements. Instead of resorting to prints or embroidery, Han and Hon have created a sculpture that forms an integral part of the dress. The process involved making a clay sculpture, tanning leather, and using machine and hand sewing techniques to create a garment that is as much a work of art as it is a fashion statement.

The designers faced numerous challenges during the creation of 'The Control'. The first was to create a sculpture that could follow the human body line without hindering movement. This was achieved by constructing the sculpture with iron wire and sculpting it on a mannequin with clay. The second, and more difficult challenge, was tanning leather into a 3D shape. This required the designers to staple wet leather onto the corners of the sculpture and use steam to stretch and mold the leather to the sculpture's form. The result is a garment that maintains its shape even without the sculpture.

'The Control' was created between December 2015 and June 2016 in Paris and has been exhibited at ESMOD Paris and the ESMOD international exhibition in Dubai in 2016. The design draws inspiration from the clear streamline of Art Deco and the imagination of Art Nouveau, combining these two art styles in a modern and unique way. The leopard, in particular, is used to represent the modern woman's energetic, sharp-witted, and strong-willed image.

The design has been recognized for its innovation and creativity, winning the Silver A' Fashion, Apparel and Garment Design Award in 2017. This award is given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation, and 'The Control' certainly fits the bill. With its unique combination of fashion and sculpture, it is a design that truly pushes the boundaries of what is possible in fashion design.

The intellectual property rights for 'The Control' belong to Nicole Hon, and the design is a testament to the creativity and innovation that can be achieved when designers think outside the box. As the fashion industry continues to evolve, it will be exciting to see what other innovative designs Han and Hon come up with in the future.