Taking fashion design to a higher artistic level is fashion designer Qiuyi Luo. With his brand, ARC LUO he intends to create meticulously cut and effortlessly draped piece of art, that become a modern-day uniform for both men and women. As part of our Global Young Talent, the FIT graduates impressive designs have been featured in the March issue of Harper’s Bazaar UK. Read on to discover how Qiuyi breaks down old design habits, allowing contemporary technology creates endless new possibilities.

Your work has strong ties with gender fluidity, where does your fascination to blend gender notions stem from?

I believe that gender integration and differentiation is a natural instinct. Just like I think sexual orientation is fluid. We can know from history that skirts were designed for men at the beginning, and we have never had a stubborn attitude towards which gender should wear what kind of garments. Maybe in the future, I will also design something which shows strong sexuality characteristics, It depends on my natural response to the design inspiration.

“I believe that gender integration and differentiation is a natural instinct. Just like I think sexual orientation is fluid. ”

 

 

Your work is inspired by art, particularly, Duchamp's work, how is this reflected in your work?

His work is a symbol that represents the idea of “challenge the definition of Art”. It’s a revolution, like ordinary objects could also be considered as a masterpiece. I chose the shape of the fountain/bicycle wheel/chair as the structure of my clothing. Break it down into curve lines, straight lines, circles these Basic graphics, changed their proportion, then apply it into boning structure, the hem of the trousers and other details.

“His (Duchamp's) work is a symbol that represents the idea of “challenge the definition of Art”..”

 

 

 

In your opinion, the innovative design comes from two aspects, one is to break the old design habits, and the other is the new possibility brought by contemporary technology, would you care to explain this quote in more detail?

The new way of design thinking will bring new combinations. New materials will enable people to achieve effects that were otherwise difficult to achieve. If fashion design is divided into different parts, such as inspiration, draping, sketches, sewing，materials，tried to think to use unusual way to drape with unusual materials.

 

 

 

What have you learnt during your time at university and what tips do you have for future fashion design students?

I learned how to communicate with teachers and classmates and how to convince others. Show my own world to others in a way that other people can understand. Be faithful to your design.

“Show my own world to others in a way that other people can understand. Be faithful to your design. ”


Discover Qiuyi Luo' full collection

Words by Lupe Baeyens