{"id":3910,"date":"2022-09-19T16:00:09","date_gmt":"2022-09-19T08:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/?p=3910"},"modified":"2023-10-03T17:04:25","modified_gmt":"2023-10-03T09:04:25","slug":"interview-with-a-new-wave-of-fashion-designers-gao-xiwen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/interview-with-a-new-wave-of-fashion-designers-gao-xiwen\/","title":{"rendered":"Interview with a new wave of fashion designers: Gao Xiwen"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Featured as one of the semi-finalists for Harper\u2019s BAZAAR Asia NewGen Fashion Award 2022, Ms Gao Xiwen is a student from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/school-of-fashion-and-design\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MDIS School of Fashion and Design (SFD)<\/a>. We are delighted to get a close-up exclusive interview with her, as she shares her freshman to final year journey in MDIS and discusses her story behind her brilliant collection.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"202\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/image-1-202x300.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3922\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/image-1-202x300.jpeg 202w, https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/image-1-690x1024.jpeg 690w, https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/image-1-768x1140.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/image-1-400x594.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/image-1-404x600.jpeg 404w, https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/image-1.jpeg 795w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 202px) 100vw, 202px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">SFD student, Gao Xiwen&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SFD-sept-image-2-2-1024x270.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3932\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SFD-sept-image-2-2-1024x270.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SFD-sept-image-2-2-300x79.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SFD-sept-image-2-2-768x203.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SFD-sept-image-2-2-1536x405.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SFD-sept-image-2-2-2048x540.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SFD-sept-image-2-2-400x106.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Gao Xiwen\u2019s Collection: Death Witch&nbsp;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_11 counter-hierarchy counter-decimal ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\"><i class=\"ez-toc-glyphicon ez-toc-icon-toggle\"><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/interview-with-a-new-wave-of-fashion-designers-gao-xiwen\/#What_is_your_design_inspiration\" title=\"What is your design inspiration?&nbsp;&nbsp;\">What is your design inspiration?&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/interview-with-a-new-wave-of-fashion-designers-gao-xiwen\/#Is_there_a_story_behind_this_collection\" title=\"Is there a story behind this collection?&nbsp;&nbsp;\">Is there a story behind this collection?&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/interview-with-a-new-wave-of-fashion-designers-gao-xiwen\/#What_are_your_design_influences\" title=\"What are your design influences?&nbsp;\">What are your design influences?&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/interview-with-a-new-wave-of-fashion-designers-gao-xiwen\/#Why_did_you_choose_to_study_at_MDIS\" title=\"Why did you choose to study at MDIS?&nbsp;\">Why did you choose to study at MDIS?&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/interview-with-a-new-wave-of-fashion-designers-gao-xiwen\/#What_is_your_favourite_part_of_being_a_fashion_designer\" title=\"What is your favourite part of being a fashion designer?&nbsp;\">What is your favourite part of being a fashion designer?&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/interview-with-a-new-wave-of-fashion-designers-gao-xiwen\/#What_do_you_like_about_studying_at_MDIS\" title=\"What do you like about studying at MDIS?&nbsp;\">What do you like about studying at MDIS?&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/interview-with-a-new-wave-of-fashion-designers-gao-xiwen\/#School_of_Fashion_and_Design\" title=\"School of Fashion and Design&nbsp;&nbsp;\">School of Fashion and Design&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"h-what-is-your-design-inspiration\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_your_design_inspiration\"><\/span><strong>What is your design inspiration?&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>My collection is called Death Witch. The inspiration came from the witch exclusion movement in Europe from the 15<sup>th<\/sup> to the 18<sup>th<\/sup> century \u2013 whereby many innocent women were unjustly accused of practicing witchcraft and were subjected to all sorts of inhumane torture from burning to hanging.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Drawn in by the history, I chose it as my inspiration for my final year project. I wanted to pay tribute to the women who expressed resistance to oppression and make a statement for women\u2019s rights through my designs.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-is-there-a-story-behind-this-collection\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_there_a_story_behind_this_collection\"><\/span><strong>Is there a story behind this collection?&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Definitely; in terms of textile design, my collection embodies various aspects of this history. In my design process, I incorporated unique materials such as twine (which was used to bind \u2018witches\u2019 and carry out hangings), broken cloth (symbolising violence against women), and flame-like sleeves with charred edges (a representation of execution by fire) \u2014 all of which subtly tells an impactful story.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-what-are-your-design-influences\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_your_design_influences\"><\/span><strong>What are your design influences?<\/strong>&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I like to focus on hot topics and then expand on them to inspire my designs. I want my designs to convey aesthetics in every way so that people have the opportunity to experience a strong visual impact upon seeing my collection.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"266\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SFD-sept-image-3-2-1024x266.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3934\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SFD-sept-image-3-2-1024x266.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SFD-sept-image-3-2-300x78.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SFD-sept-image-3-2-768x200.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SFD-sept-image-3-2-1536x399.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SFD-sept-image-3-2-2048x532.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SFD-sept-image-3-2-400x104.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Gao Xiwen\u2019s Collection: Death Witch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-why-did-you-choose-to-study-at-mdis\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_did_you_choose_to_study_at_MDIS\"><\/span><strong>Why did you choose to study at MDIS?<\/strong>&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>What caught my eye about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/school-of-fashion-and-design\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MDIS SFD<\/a> was that there were spacious classrooms and fashion studios on campus for us to work on our projects. The conducive environment helped me to be more motivated and stay focused on my various projects and research. Other than that, the facilities are also equipped with excellent hardware and materials.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My lecturers played a crucial part in helping to boost my creativity as they pushed me to think out of the box during their engaging classes. Additionally, they have been a source of inspiration for me as they readily share their knowledge and skills from their vast experiences, which equip students like me to be career-ready.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-what-is-your-favourite-part-of-being-a-fashion-designer\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_your_favourite_part_of_being_a_fashion_designer\"><\/span><strong>What is your favourite part of being a fashion designer?<\/strong>&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>What I truly love about being a fashion designer is that I am able to breathe life into my ideas and designs. Like many arts and design forms, I get to have hands-on process experience, which in this case for fashion would be garment construction and apparel design. I get an ecstatic sense of achievement watching my designs go from flat to three-dimensional.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-what-do-you-like-about-studying-at-mdis\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_do_you_like_about_studying_at_MDIS\"><\/span><strong>What do you like about studying at MDIS?<\/strong>&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Currently, I am pursuing my final year project &#8211; something that I have been looking forward to since I started my fashion course. This required me to put my theory and practical skills I learnt to good use. With my project, I had the freedom to do whatever my heart desired, from inspiration and fashion styling, to producing the finished garment.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My modules were also rigorous and provided me with the necessary exposure to the fashion industry. For instance, some of my modules require me to work with other local Singaporean fashion brands, which gives me the opportunity and practice how I should interact with clients.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-school-of-fashion-and-design\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"School_of_Fashion_and_Design\"><\/span><strong>School of Fashion and Design&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking to kick-start a fashion business or simply just eager to break out in the fashion industry? Look no further! Here at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/school-of-fashion-and-design\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MDIS School of Fashion and Design (SFD)<\/a>, we offer design courses from diploma to degree. We welcome both local and international students and are open to accepting a variety of students \u2013 from students seeking full-time fashion programmes as well as mature students looking for part-time design courses. SFD equips students with the necessary skill set and experience to get them started on their passion for fashion. Browse our full list of fashion courses <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/school-of-fashion-and-design\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"341\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/SFD-Main_Desktop-2022-1024x341.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4036\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/SFD-Main_Desktop-2022-1024x341.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/SFD-Main_Desktop-2022-300x100.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/SFD-Main_Desktop-2022-768x256.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/SFD-Main_Desktop-2022-400x133.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/SFD-Main_Desktop-2022.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Written by Natasha Sharudin and Gao Xiwen<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Edited by Natasha Sharudin and Betache Precious Mae&nbsp;<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Featured as one of the semi-finalists for Harper\u2019s BAZAAR Asia NewGen Fashion Award 2022, Ms Gao Xiwen is a student from the MDIS School of Fashion and Design (SFD). We are delighted to get a close-up exclusive interview with her, as she shares her freshman to final year journey in MDIS and discusses her story behind her brilliant collection.&nbsp;&nbsp; SFD student, Gao Xiwen&nbsp; Table of Contents What is your design inspiration?&nbsp;&nbsp;Is there a story behind this collection?&nbsp;&nbsp;What are your design influences?&nbsp;Why did you choose to study at MDIS?&nbsp;What is your favourite part of being a fashion designer?&nbsp;What do you like [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":283,"featured_media":3914,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[14],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3910"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/283"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3910"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3910\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4403,"href":"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3910\/revisions\/4403"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3914"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3910"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3910"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mdis.edu.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3910"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}