About Me
Hello, I am Tianren Yu. Chinese born, Tokyo based, BFGU Fashion Design
Setting off on my journey to Japan soon after graduating from a strict high school in my hometown of Beijing, I was full of curiosity and eagerness to break free from the thick layered cocoon of my past environment, declaring who I am to the world and connecting with new people from different backgrounds regardless of race or gender.
Growing up I observed a world regulated by countless social rules and stereotypes, where people are programmed, trapped in the web of conventions, hardwired to turn their backs against differences, to frown upon self expression and to consider the individualists kooky black sheep. Along with applying fabric texture altering techniques such as smocking or shirring that represents the social metamorphosis, my main focus is expressed and emphasized through the process of freely transforming a single string of yarn into a diversity of knitwear silhouettes.
INSPIRATION
No matter who you are, be comfortable in your own skin, wear whatever you want!
One day I came across a French movie called “120 battements per minute” known as “BPM” which reflected in my naive eyes a society where people are labeled and discriminated against according to who they identify as - their categories. It impressed me so deeply that I felt blank, astounded for having been so oblivious of the complex and rigid reality of our society where humans put too much meanings into insignificant things.
My hope is to remind every individual that they have the right to self express and to select their own paths. As new generations are taking over various platforms, social ideologies have been shifting rapidly within recent years contemplating numerous revolutionary events demanding the acknowledgment of liberty and equality. Garments are my supporting statements dedicated to fellow revolutionists who refuse to be chained down by the norms, the protagonists who define their own stories.
MY WORK
PORTFOLIOS
DETAIL
Knitwear as a warmhearted embrace to those who have been dismissed by social conventions.
Exploring the notion of individual identity and Freedom of Self Expression as inspired by “BPM”, femininity signifiers that are commonly adopted in girl’s clothing such as ribbon, floral embroidery, smocking and shirring are applied onto oversized garments deliberately modeled in men’s sewing patterns. Fabric pigmentation in form of print is used to present the “act up” element from the movie with the reoccurring slogan “silence = mort”, where I choose to display an image that resemble a propaganda poster, voicing out in bold juxtaposition of colors as well as textures of matte sheer tulle and sheen opaque satin. Pigmentation can also be seen in vivid tie dye as reference to the 70s love and freedom movement. As every individual shines with their own uniqueness, garments are decorated with rhinestones honoring those who at any cost fearlessly assert their identities.
They just love you for who you are. - Charlie Brown
Graduate Fashion Week in partnership with:
