ABOUT ME

Welcome to my design universe.

I am an ambitious PhD candidate with a solid foundation in sustainable fashion design and cultural heritage preservation, as well as interdisciplinary experience in information product interaction design. My aim is to contribute to academia through rigorous research, integrating traditional craftsmanship into modern fashion and exploring sustainable design.
I will introduce myself in five sections.

Arrival:
In December 1993, I arrived in an ancient city in southern China. At that time, I was unaware of the connection between my destiny and this city. Growing up immersed in its culture, I showcased a talent for drawing. My mother enrolled me in an art studio, and thus began my artistic journey.

Companions:
As an art student, I once fantasized about being a wandering painter. I would often sneak out of the classroom, carrying my backpack filled with drawing tools and various scraps of paper I used as drawing boards. I would traverse markets, train stations, and night markets, sitting on the ground, observing and quickly sketching everything around me. I found my creative companions in the vibrant life itself.

Exploration:
In college, I was unexpectedly admitted to the fashion design program, where I first encountered design not just as a way to record beauty, but to create it. I completed my undergraduate studies with excellent results, but I continuously questioned whether fashion design was merely about creating beautiful clothes. This question sparked my academic research. When I led a team to study “raincoats with rainwater drainage” and achieved a city-level outstanding project result and applied for a design patent, I realized that design needs to solve problems. This experience strengthened my decision to pursue a master's degree.

Field:
In 2016, at Tsinghua University Academy of Arts & Design, I had many interdisciplinary research opportunities. Following my mentor, Professor Wang Yue, I focused on traditional craftsmanship and fashion culture. I had many opportunities for field research and witnessed many valuable crafts facing the risk of extinction. I felt a sense of responsibility and mission as a fashion designer. Fabrics in museum dim lighting bore the marks of time, and artisans imbued their labor with hopes for a better life through their textiles. The interweaving of traditional fibers into fabrics and the collaborative creation of nature and humans deeply attracted me and made me eager to continue exploring. At the same time, I learned about information design and realized that the transmission of fashion and culture must utilize emerging methods. Interaction design also gave me insights into the fashion industry.

Belief:
I am passionate about the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature. My design embraces sustainability, and I hope to use fashion as a medium to communicate good culture and craftsmanship to society. With seven years of research in fashion design and four years in information product design, I bring a unique perspective bridging tradition and modernity. I believe my research and practice can make a meaningful impact in the fashion industry and address practical issues.

ZHU XIANGGUI

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