He Fei's Lacrimosa: A Bold Statement in Eyewear Design

Exploring Gender Awareness through Unique Eyewear Collection

The unique properties of Lacrimosa lie in its design and functionality. The centerpiece of the eyewear, which combines two spectacles, can be worn independently as a nose piece or an earring, while the rest of the piece still functions as a hand-held facial ornament. This multi-functionality is a testament to He Fei's innovative approach to design, and his commitment to creating pieces that challenge traditional notions of gender and beauty.

The creation of Lacrimosa involved a meticulous process of cutting and soldering brass and copper tubes, hand-polishing frames, and drilling holes on pearls and hand-dyed acrylic spectacles. The materials used, including 24K gold, silver, brass, copper, nickel, acrylic, and pearls, further enhance the luxurious feel of the eyewear.

He Fei's design philosophy is centered on examining the distortion of humanity caused by a single aesthetic. With Lacrimosa, he aims to eliminate this psychological contradiction, encouraging those who have suffered from gender issues to regain their confidence, and those who tend to judge to understand the beauty of diversity.

The project, which started and finished in Birmingham, UK in 2017, was published in Fucking Young! Magazine later that year. The design process involved extensive research, including photographing He Fei's life and drawings, visiting Munich Jewellery Week and Yorkshire Sculpture Park, and studying the works of other jewellers and eyewear designers.

Despite the challenges faced in exploring multiple wearabilities and functions, He Fei successfully created a piece of eyewear that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also carries a powerful message. Lacrimosa is a testament to He Fei's innovative design approach, and his commitment to challenging traditional notions of beauty and gender.

The design was awarded Silver in A' Jewelry, Eyewear and Watch Design Award in 2018, a recognition of its outstanding design and innovation. As He Fei continues to push the boundaries of design, one can only anticipate what he will create next.