This project draws inspiration from Suzhou gardens. I was deeply captivated by the garden designers’ design philosophies and the philosophical duality they embody. I aim to create a collection that explores the interplay between “being perceived” and “actively perceiving,” connecting the wearer and viewer, as if both were immersed within the garden itself.
The title Garden of Light reflects my interpretation of garden elements. Garden designers employ techniques such as borrowed scenery, hidden views, and winding paths to reveal the beauty of each element while guiding movement through space. However, everything casts a shadow, and the interplay of light and shadow, the tree shadows, flower patterns, and rippling water, evokes a dynamic beauty that engages the senses. Observing these shadows allows me to imagine touching the leaves, hearing the subtle rustle, and sensing the tranquility of a solitary boat drifting through the water.
Beyond the visual rhythm, what fascinates me most is the garden’s perceptual logic. Designers use paths, light, and structure to guide visitors’ experiences, allowing meaning to emerge through movement. In traditional Chinese thought, “perception” is a state of resonance between human and object. Unlike viewing a static painting, the garden emphasizes sensory interaction, where subject and object constantly exchange roles, much like the visitor navigating between autonomous observation and guided observation.
I aim to incorporate the natural elements and the philosophy of gardens into clothing through a perceptual approach. Not only can the wearer actively perceive the clothing, but they can also become the object of perception in the eyes of others. Through the interplay of light, shadow, and texture, the collection creates a multi-sensory experience (touch, sight, sound, and subtle spatial awareness), gently guiding both wearer and viewer into a shared rhythm of perception, evoking the experience of the garden.
