Yiting Zhao

“My design is driven by the colour name Resene Crusoe. I was inspired by a book named Robinson Crusoe. It talks about survival on an uninhabited island. The story reveals the journey of his inner growth surrounded by the forces of nature.

Crusoe was raised in a middle class family and dreamt of becoming a sailor. During a sea voyage, a strong wind destroyed the boat and killed all his fellow shipmates. Left alone on an uninhabited island he started to live a self-sufficient life. Finally Crusoe, upset and despairing, a “dreadful place… out of all hope of relief or prospect of redemption” he started to see the beauty of nature he found balance within through his own effort and ingenuity.

This tale of finding one’s balance through nature in a time of adversity resonated with our current situation. A slower pace gives us a clarity of mind and a sense of tranquility, an opportunity to seek for and focus on the essentials of life and awakens me to be more conscious of our environment.

My intention of the project is to create an elegant one-piece dress that is timeless, simple yet sophisticated, revealing the beauty of simplicity and a slow-paced lifestyle with a minimalist approach. Emphasising the idea of consciousness and craftmanship (slow fashion) over a fast paced (fast fashion) and productivity prioritized (mass produced) lifestyle, the concept of quality over quantity. A sense of modesty representing consciousness and the respect of our resources. A clean -cut voluminous silhouette inspired by the current loungewear trend, creating an effortless new twist redefining a ‘new beginning’.”

‘Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.’
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Resene Whitecliffe Colour of Fashion clothing - 2020

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