People's Choice Winner: Biying Ye

China Mainland Student Design Competition People’s Choice Winner 2023: Biying Ye

21st September 2023

Biying Ye, a graduate from Jiangxi Institute of Fashion Technology, underwent a transformative educational journey. During this time, Biying acquired not only professional expertise but also nurtured a positive and optimistic personality. Biying’s passion for fashion and art shines through the adeptness at dressing and drawing, igniting a profound enthusiasm for creativity and self-expression. In professional endeavors, Biying is known for the meticulous attention to detail, a rigorous and pragmatic approach, and strong communication and coordination abilities.

INTERVIEW WITH BIYING

Tell us about the inspiration behind your project:

The inspiration of the work comes from the natural pond that can be seen everywhere in our life. The pond is a kind of landscape with Chinese aesthetics. There is a lot of artistic beauty in the color of the pond, the stone of the pond and the beautiful things that can be found in the pond. I want to incorporate these beautiful elements in my work and express them within the texture and color of the leather material. By designing a sustainable piece I understood that sustainability is not only a concept but also an attitude. In general, the aim of my design is to inspire people to protect the environment and take good care of beautiful things whilst also using the collision of Chinese color artistic conception aesthetics and leather, so that everyone can see the beauty of Chinese color!

What do you think makes leather a great material to design with?

Leather is unique from its texture, durability and variety of applications. Through different processing and dyeing techniques, as well as changes in texture and color, leather can present rich surface effects and unique visual effects, thus stimulating the creativity of designers. At the same time, leather can also provide a unique experience in terms of touch and comfort, depending on how the body feels when touching and wearing it. Leather, because of its eye-catching appearance and durable properties, can become the focus of designers, providing us with a wealth of inspiration and infinite design possibilities.

What has been your experience in working with leather for this competition?

I became aware of the level of durability and protection leather has to offer. Secondly, there is the element of elasticity, adaptability and malleability, which makes it better able to adapt to body curves and may be feasible in events that require a tight fit to the body and can be used for a wide range of activities.

How do you think winning this competition will impact your career as a designer?

I think participating in this competition has broadened my horizon and increased my knowledge a lot. I have seen excellent works from all over the world and excellent students from various universities. I was lucky enough to win the People’s Choice Award of this competition, which I think is a kind of affirmation for myself and increases my confidence. At the same time, it also encouraged me look up to other excellent participants and realize my shortcomings, so I need to work hard to improve my professional ability. Through this competition, I have a different view of leather and increase my knowledge in the field of leather. At the same time, it also deepens the concept of sustainable development and provided me with a new perception.

What are your thoughts on leather and sustainability, and how you think leather can adapt to a fashion industry increasingly focused on sustainability?

Leather has always played an important role in the fashion industry, but sustainability has become the focus of contemporary society. Personally, I think leather, as a natural material, has some advantages in terms of sustainability. Firstly, leather is sustainable because it is made from animal by-products, which reduces the waste of animal resources. Secondly, leather products can be durable and can reduce the consumption and waste of fashion goods. I think leather can adapt to the trend of increasing focus on sustainability in the fashion industry. By paying attention to the choice of materials and the production process, we can create stylish and sustainable leather clothing, providing consumers with more environmentally friendly and high-quality fashion choices.

How has this competition influenced your view of working with leather in the future?

This competition has had a profound impact on my view of leather. It stimulated my creativity, inspiration and gave me a strong interest in exploring more environmentally friendly and sustainable materials and design methods. It made me re-examine my use of leather. I hope that by introducing greener options, we will be able to create more sustainable choices in the design and consumption of clothing in the future. This shift has made me more focused on sustainability and responsible consumption, as well as increasing my passion for innovation and design, and giving me a more holistic perspective on the future of the fashion industry.