Fashion Designer Yinan Mao Breaks the Boundaries of Conventional Fashion and Jewelry
Combining fabric and wax is a fresh attempt in fashion design. A harmonious relationship has to be built between the two materials to succeed. For a designer who is always dedicated to an unconventional fashion procedure like Yinan Mao, it is not an impossible task to complete after substantial practice.
According to Mao, the upper part of the ring is a metal star wrapped in melted resin and lined with many bubble-shaped balls. The base part is formed by casting the fabric with wax, which borrowed the concept of wax casting.
“The Brightness Star is a customized ring design that I created for my client,” Mao said, “He made a request about having a star in the design, which is a bit challenging to me because it does not align with my previous style or design language.”
As a sophisticated fashion designer, Mao came up with the idea to wrap the star with melted resin to create a phenomenon in which the star is very well preserved and cherished. She added the bubble-shaped balls to give it a light texture. This intention was designed to break the traditional perception of jewelry structure.
The difficulty came when Mao sought for a solution to integrate her personal style into this ring design. How to organically combine fabric and candles to generate an original uniqueness became a problem. After numerous experiments, Mao finally made the most perfect shape of the base using casting.
“I have background knowledge in both fashion design and textile so I was trying to find a method to integrate my personal style and textile into this ring design,” Mao explained, “Craftsmanship is different from regular jewelry-making. And I feel like casting may be a good way to start.”
Mao knew it would not be a smooth process with a guaranteed outcome. But it did not stop her from putting a lot of effort into finding the best answer. After hundreds of attempts of heating, casting and shaping, Mao was finally able to present a perfect ring base.
Compared to the finely crafted designs, Mao prefers an unfinished look because it represents a wild, organic and powerful state, which is being frequently showcased in all her designs. Mao chose black as the base color to highlight not only the brightness of the star, but also the broken status her artwork manifests.
As an unconventional fashion designer, Mao has always sought to infuse her designs with novel elements. That is why each of her creations is a testament to her uniqueness. What Mao wants to bring to her audience is an exclusive designer brand that resonates with individuals looking for exceptional artistry.
