Jia Chang is a member of the Taroko indigenous tribe in Taiwan and specializes in fashion design. His primary focus lies in the seamless integration of modern clothing with traditional attire. During his graduation showcase, Jia Chang was honored with the prestigious Japanese Master Design Award as well as the Best Stage Effect Award.
During his four years in university, he dedicated himself to the harmonious fusion of culture and modern fashion. His ultimate goal has been to share our tribal culture with the world, and throughout this journey, he’s consistently drawn inspiration from our totems to infuse into his creations. His relentless pursuit has been to seamlessly weave these cultural elements into contemporary clothing, thereby etching our heritage into every garment. He firmly believes that this endeavor holds profound significance, as it reignites appreciation for our rich cultural heritage.
INSPIRATION
The work was inspired by his tribe’s traditional culture, the ‘Mgay Bari’ (Thanksgiving Festival), which stands as the most significant event of the year for the indigenous Taroko tribe in Taiwan. People from around the world gather in the tribe to express gratitude for a safe and prosperous year, the well-being of their families, and the promise of a favorable year ahead. This grand festival commences with the tribe singing ancient tunes and engaging in traditional dances as they commence the harvest.
I find it fascinating to uncover the fundamentals of the tribe, such as what individuals must do to demonstrate that they have eared their tattoos. Only those who are recognized by the elders will be able to earn their tattoos, and those who have earned their tattoos will be able to walk across the rainbow bridge and meet with their families in heaven after they pass on to the next life.
DETAIL
Culture is the foundation of everything. Although it has been lost, in our generation, we hope that through our young people, we can create new miracles for the tribe, explore our traditional culture and find our roots, understand who we are, understand the culture, and create an epoch-making new miracle.