MOTHER collection by Weijing Xiao

PHOTOGRAPHY & VISUAL DESIGN BOWEN LI
CREATIVE DIRECTION & FASHION DESIGN WEIJING XIAO
MODEL & INTEGRATED DESIGN HELENE VON OBELITZ
STUDIO ASSISTANT & LIGHTING DESIGN MIDORI HONGO

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
MOTHER is a highly monitored operative system (OS) where natural environments are simulated by machines. Electric sparrows act as agents to oversee the running of this system. The inhabitants have evolved into hybrid cyborg forms, both nurturing the electric sparrows yet at the same time constructing devices to excise life without surveillance. In this collection, Weijing delves into couture making techniques and chooses to accentuate different parts of female bodies other than what traditionally constitutes femininity. Their methodology of fabrication follows the delicate and natural properties of the textiles, eliminating elaborate under-constructions yet manifesting sculptural and airy silhouettes. MOTHER is both a love letter to female bodies and a poetic interpretation of Donna Haraway’s theories into an unsubstantial dystopian dream.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Weijing Xiao is a fashion designer and creative technologist with a focus on post-human couture making and fabric research. They manifest fluid and hybrid designs through sculptural silhouettes, visceral materiality, and motifs that subtly merge human with animal, nature, and machine. Weijing’s approach to transhumanism and futurism is rooted in historical dressmaking references, investigating the relationship between body, technology, mythology, and politics. Weijing began her couture career professionally at Oscar de la Renta, then Carolina Herrera, and is now Head of Couture Atelier at Marchesa. In 2022, they created cyborg-themed garments and face wearables for artist Yo-Yo Lin’s multi-sensory performance at the Shed, New York. In the same year, they released their couture collection and designer profile on the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) official runway calendar. Their most recent couture design was acquired by the Cristóbal Balenciaga museum’s permanent collection.