Durable and wearable 3D art
Tiffany Wei is a Chinese-American interdisciplinary artist who received her BFA in Illustration Design from ArtCenter College of Design. Inspired by fashion and textiles, Tiffany’s creative work combines her illustrative skills with handcrafting techniques. She is currently based in Los Angeles.
Wei utilizes her surface design knowledge and continuous hand movement through her 3D pen, creating a modern take on the traditional constructive garments. The patterns of the body pieces are inspired by traditional Han craftsmanship and culture. They are the organic shape and patterns of scales found on traditionally drawn fish and dragons. The scales were intertwined with patterns of lace to ensure the tactility of each piece. Wei formed each piece to mimic body armor, while the back of the works are held in place with lacing used in corsetry. To her, the idea of the corset is not only for the functionality, but also to provide a feminine element to armory.
Diane Lac is a multidisciplinary Vietnamese/Chinese film director and photographer from Little Saigon, Orange County currently living in Los Angeles, California. Diane often captures eclectic fashion pieces in her photography, short films, and music videos. Her protagonists are often women of color as she strives to give people who look like her time in the spotlight. More than just a filmmaker, Diane enjoys showcasing her pieces in art shows, making mixed media art, and putting together art events. She is the current recipient of the Matthew Rolston Creative Director scholarship and she is currently being mentored by director Christine Yuan. With Tiffany’s work, Lac used both film and digital, to showcase the nostalgia and the now of what it feels like to be Chinese in America.
Flanelle: Thank you two so much for being here and telling us more about ‘Metamorphosis’. We wanted to know how the idea for this project came to be, but first how did you two meet each other?
Diane:
The first time I met Tiffany, I was already photographing her clothes for a show. Through our mutual friend who is also the model: Kuan Ya Wu, Kuan was hosting an art show in the autumn of 2022 which is how I heard about Tiffany and the other fashion students on ArtCenter College of Design’s campus. I remember seeing the flier about the show, but after Irealized it was too late to submit my art, I chased down Kuan to let me into the fashion show by photographing everyone for the show’s archives. From then on, we have always enjoyed working together.
Tiffany:
This project began as a way for me to take a step away from illustration work. I wanted to focus on fashion and to collaborate with more photographers. At this point, I was also curious about the 3D Pen and whether it was a useful tool in the making of wearable garments. Throughout the making process, I focused on the durability of the material and how the pieces could be worn comfortably on the body. Overall, I found that the 3D Pen allowed me to translate my two-dimensional illustrations into something more tactile. After I finished creating the three looks, I contacted Diane to collaborate for a photoshoot.
Flanelle: Wow, that’s amazing how you two met. I can tell you both make a great team..
Who are your inspirations for your craft?
Diane: My current biggest inspirations are Mario Sorrenti, Frank Lebon, Aidan Zamiri, Christine Yuan, Erika Kamano, Eiko Ishioka, and so many more. Tiffany and I haven’t known each other for that long, but we quickly realized we had great creative compatibility as our references were often the same. We both love artists who can do more than just one craft. Anything I showed her, she loved just as much. I would be able to name any artist and she would undoubtedly understand what I was going for. Working with Tiffany is a breath of fresh air because I don’t have to explain myself as much. I didn’t know this type of creative connection existed.
Tiffany: I’m inspired by individuals such as Iris Van Herpen, Ryunoasuke Okazaki, Robert Wun, Eiko Ishioka, Rei Kawakubo, and Guo Pei.
Flanelle: How did you get started in your craft and where do you hope to go with it in the future?
Diane: I started photography really young, probably when I was five or six years old. I remember being stuck at home and finding my dad’s 35mm olympus and my sister and I would snap photos of each other. I still have the pictures to this day. I began to realize my real passion was storytelling through visual mediums. I hope to incorporate fashion and documentaries to create social change. Eventually, I want to make longer forms of media to tell stories.
Tiffany: I was always interested in designing clothing. As a child, I made many drawings of elaborate dresses and was fascinated with different types of fabrics. Despite this, I decided to go into illustration. I’m actually glad that I went this route because it allows me to look at fashion through a different perspective.
I hope to continue creating wearable art that I can use to connect back to my roots. I also look forward to working and collaborating with more creatives.
Flanelle: Where can we find your art?
Diane: My instagram is @diane__lac with two underscores & my website is www.dianelac.com
Tiffany: My instagram is @txxiic_ and my website is tiffany-wei.com
