Zen Explorer 男裝系列 by Kuan Lu is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2023 A' Design Award 銀獎 in 時裝、服飾及成衣設計 Competition Category.

銀時裝· 2023

Zen Explorer 男裝系列

by Kuan Lu

Client: Lu Kuan

A' Design Award 銀獎 Winner in 時裝 Category

105,780

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #149768

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Zen Explorer 男裝系列

Zen Explorer 係一個以古董布料同天然染色布料製成嘅男裝系列。歷史悠久嘅布料經過收集之後，會按尺寸、厚薄同季節分類，再同以傳統藍染方法染色嘅新布料結合。呢種藍靛係經發酵製成，冇用工業化學品。大部分工序都係人手完成，所以保留咗傳統工藝同圖案。呢個系列將舊布料同當代升級再造結合，提供耐用而獨特嘅日常服裝。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 銀獎

Zen Explorer 男裝系列是 A' Design Award 銀獎得主，這是授予頂級、華美而令人印象深刻的設計的極為崇高的認可。銀獎得主是極其卓越、極具創造力的作品，展現出其設計師傑出的專業技能、才華與敏銳。預計Zen Explorer 男裝系列將成為一件出色的典範之作，兼具非凡的專業性與深刻的創新性。這件贏得 A' Design Award 銀獎的設計是一項備受矚目、令人欽佩的發明，造福並拓展藝術、科學、設計和技術的界限。Zen Explorer 男裝系列是一件令人羨慕的創作，它喚起渴望，帶來積極的情感，並激發驚嘆與讚嘆。

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: This project "The Tao of Fashion: Re-cycle of Life" aims to subvert the stereotype of fashion industry. The methodology is to collect and classify the historic textiles initially, and incorporate the new material dyed by the traditional "Indigo Dyeing" technique. This project keeps all the craftsmanship handmade to respect and retain the traditional crafts and graphics, and incorporate contemporary upcycle design concepts, which could carry on the traditional oriental cultural and bring daily dressing code updated, durable and unique.
Dimensions & Packaging: The concept item is an artistic wearable item that can be used, and be an artistic installation displaying by hanging. The prototype structure of a suit grows out of the original antique "Hundred Sons" blanket.
Width 180 cm Length 200 cm
All ready-to-wear looks are size 48 male form.
Tags: Timeless, Clothing, Cultural heritage, Sustainable fashion, Recycle,Experimental
Production Technology: Mainly using mass-produced natural indigo dyed materials, combined with a small amount of precious recycled textile which is vintage pieces.
The unique essence and the production process have ethical considerations and sustainable fashion development. The indigo produced by R&D (ethical production&sustainable fashion) can only be realized through fermentation. The manufacturing process is natural and environmentally friendly without industrial chemicals. The importance of material recycling is also an important purpose of design and production.
Design Challenge: The concept and practice of this project challenge is about the development of sustainable fashion and the inheritance of slow handwork. Ideas on how design thinking can create original and unique products for balancing sustainable fashion industry and new aesthetic market.
Research: According to material properties, each piece of material has its unique "character". The method of classifying materials is combined with scale, thickness, and season to develop, mix with the new materials to make a design experiment of slow fashion and limited supply. Specifically, the collected antique fabric is used as a clue to develop the design system. How fashion can continue to be sustainable while taking into account creation, and a balanced combination of creating less waste and durability. It is a sustainable and contemporary fashion practice.
Inspiration: The design is inspired by exploring the depths of blue.
Indigo textile culture with a long history, blue is the ocean, the universe, and the central mind. Natural reincarnation is the exploration of Zen, and it is also a sustainable fashion practice in the present. From a point of view that old and new, gain and loss, useless and useful, trend and eternity are infusing. This project explores and balances the possibilities of design.
Using the traditional culture and crafts to combine with modern design elements to create unique practices and new inheritance.
Project Duration: Works was designed and produced in 2018.
Present in 2020 China National Silk Museum
Operation Flow: Cloth are half handmade and half machine made,which makes product as unique wearable item. The project is using natural Indigo dying to achieve a comfortable feeling, artistic textural surface and eco-friendly to sustainable fashion design development.
Patents: Copyright by Lu Kuan/WU ZhiWu
Team Members: Creative Director and Designer:Lu Kuan
Image Credits: WU (ZhiWu) by Lu Kuan
Photographer: Yang Feng
Model:Li Ming