Inside The Designer's Mind 2:3
12:00 AMDuality
A collection of self identity, reflection and the true face(s) of this collected series of looks. When I first met Jia Yee, I watched as her and her friends approach me. Jia Yee walks to her own beat. Almost like a signature runway walk. I imagine Jia Yee stands out in any crowd and is probably easily the first one noticed. Interesting that this was my first impression considering Jia Yee's collection was inspired by her own search for self identity after growing up and living her life as an i d e n t i c a l twin.
"Duality is the name of my collection and the name represents the paradox of being an identical twin." -Jia Yee Ni
Jia Yee's interpretation of identity for this collection stemmed from her search to find the intersection between femininity (her) and masculinity (her sister). Jia Yee describes herself, growing up, as the typical "girly-girl" persona in contrast to her sister, Jia Lu's natural self to sway towards being more of a "tom-boy."
As a single-born individual I can only imagine the comparisons that twins and especially identical twins are faced with from day 1 of life. I always hear people (and especially the creative types) stressing that they want to "find themselves" and "figure out who they really are." I think self-identity is something we all search for but may not be so subject to the continued comparability to someone that literally is 1 part of you. I can see why there may be a yearning to separate yourself from what others expect you to become or predict what you will become.
Without a single hesitation Jia Yee tells the true story of reflection and the surprising facade created from not 1 but 2 faces. By this I mean, Jia Yee's collections is a true hybrid of two completely contrasting individuals and the harmony created when applying one to the other. (Above) Sketches tell the tale of a drawing session between Jia Yee and her sister, Jia Lu. The mission; drawing a blind contour of one another. (For the non-artists: A blind contour is a sketch drawn by hand without looking down at the paper. You draw as if you were blind. Most pictures end up looking very Picasso like.)
Jia Yee was inspired by the strength of the connection between her and her sister despite thousands of miles separating them due to studying abroad. The idea to use the blind-contour drawings demanded Jia Yee's attention and urged her to take a more personal approach to creating her collection. Interestingly enough, these are not solely drawings of faces but recreations of memories. Jia Lu, her sister, suggested drawing one another's faces from specific experiences in their past, therefore creating a unique backdrop to each individual drawing.
(Jia Yee hand-stamped the lining of all her garments as a personal touch for the wearer. She created stamps inspired by the blind contour drawings her and her sister made).
Jia Yee is also interested in sustainable design and chose to use leather that is a direct product of the meat industry.
(See the small hint of Jia Yee's signature walk? Captured as a singular moment in time never to be duplicated.)
(Jia Yee Ni pictured left, Jia Lu Ni pictures right).
Editorials
Contributors to this collection not only include the hardworking designer herself but also her twin sister, Jia Lu Ni (pictured above), and her photography. Other contributors to photography, and modeling include Ellie Short, Terese Ostendorf & Emme Metry.
Love what you see and need a piece? Jia Yee is available for commissionable work. Please contact this amazing designer at JiaYee.Ni@gmail.com and take a look at her website JiaYeeNi.com for more information!
0 comments