MDes Fashion & Textiles School of Design
Qingge Zheng
The concept of fashion, as I perceive it, encompasses more than mere aesthetics or fleeting trends. This phenomenon can be considered a form of self-expression that is deeply intertwined with cultural and lifestyle influences.
The exploration of the connections and traces between clothing, individuals, history, culture and cities has been a perpetual source of interest. These records, akin to a series of footprints gradually revealing the entire narrative of an individual’s life, offer a comprehensive depiction of their existence.
Where the Overcoat Forgets
My collection drew inspiration from Glasgow working class in the mid-20th century, seen through the eyes of a tram conductor born during the city’s industrial boom. Initially, she took pride in her role within the advancing industry, but overtime, the routine left her longing for escape into nature. When the wind passed through sleeves of her overcoat, she felt as free as a seagull.
Through her, I see the duality of this city: the weight of its industrial past and the lightness of nature, forever overlapped like a double-exposed film. Burdens become the image of vitality, yet the urge to break free remains.
After all, life is not a track but a wildness.
