Yutong, as a Chinese artist based in New York City, you have a unique perspective on both Western and Eastern fashion. How do you bridge these two worlds in your work, and what challenges or advantages have you faced by blending these cultural elements?
With an open heart and a compassionate spirit, I strive to explore the world as a fellow human being, born into this shared human experience. We do not choose our birth, but we are blessed to partake in this remarkable journey alongside the global community. It is effortless to pass judgment and harbor disdain, yet it holds greater meaning and lasting value to seek understanding. My aspiration is to fathom diverse cultures through the medium of art, and this artistic journey has proven to be immensely rewarding, thanks to the invaluable support I am fortunate to receive. In an era where the Internet connects us on an international scale, I cherish the opportunity to navigate its vast expanse and glean insights from a multitude of perspectives.
What inspired you to create the Gentle Woman Club, and how does it reflect your personal views on divine feminine energy?
The blogging culture inspired me to create a space for open artistic expression. Growing up, I loved reading blog articles and comments from online friends. Blogs are like constantly updating e-books that evolve with my life experiences. I appreciate the flexible nature of online blogs, where creators can share their worlds with readers through poems, short stories, and photos.
Similarities between documentaries and blogs have motivated me to approach my art projects with discipline. I treat “Gentle Woman Club” as a documentary of young womanhood, focusing on Asian women artists in New York City. I aim to capture the gentle feminine energy through conversations, styling sessions, and photos.
In the first episode, we experimented with textures and seasons, mixing winter and summer outfits. After inviting Asian women artists I know in the city, we held the first creative session in my living room. Stylist Lei Wang joined us for “Gentle Woman Club Episode 1,” where we created looks with model ZiXin Chen. In Episode 2, I invited film director Katusha Jin, and we discussed womanhood and childhood memories while creating looks.
Your work is deeply inspired by the 21st century digital life and the overwhelming waves of information we receive daily. How do you believe this digital overload shapes our perceptions of fashion and femininity?
Every day, I am immersed in the visual spectacle of maximalist fashion and freestyle expressions on the streets. New Yorkers are inherently creative and expressive individuals. Walking amidst people who wear their true feelings on their sleeves through their everyday fashion choices is remarkably comforting. I believe that the dynamic blend of fast-paced city life, with its rapid turnover of fast fashion, coexisting harmoniously with the city’s rich thrifting culture, gives rise to the vibrant atmosphere of metropolitan fashion.
In today’s world, we have the opportunity to witness everyone’s fashion choices online, where we can endlessly scroll through a plethora of inspirational options. In this process, fashion has evolved to become more nuanced and personal than ever before. I vividly recall the intrigued looks I received the first time I bleached my hair and returned to my hometown. I’m learning to utilize my fashion choices as a means of conveying messages and connecting with the people around me.
For our generation, fashion has transformed into a powerful tool of communication. We are constantly inundated with visuals, sometimes at the expense of genuine emotional connection. Striking a balance between the overwhelming abundance of stimuli and genuine emotional depth can be challenging at times. In this digital age, I aspire to capture the dopamine-driven, content-saturated, and occasionally emotionally detached mood that prevails. Through collaborations with artists who share an understanding of femininity, I hope to gain deeper insights into humanity and gracefully navigate my own journey through womanhood.
The Gentle Woman Club places a significant emphasis on Asian women artists. Can you talk about the importance of representation in the fashion and art worlds, especially for Asian women?
My personal journey as an Asian woman has been marked by a pursuit of perfectionism, often feeling pressured to conform to expectations that don’t align with my true self. The conflicts between societal demands and my own aspirations have been a central theme in my life. My ultimate goal is to strike a harmonious balance as a 21st-century Asian woman who can genuinely enjoy her life. In my daily life, I endeavor to embody kindness and creativity, even as I contend with the pressures of family expectations and societal standards. I believe in respecting my own space while appreciating the complexity of others’ lives.
One prevalent issue I’ve noticed is the undue scrutiny Asian women face when it comes to their appearances. It’s a cultural habit for family members to comment on weight gain or loss as a form of care. However, it’s crucial for our society to evolve in its understanding of beauty and embrace its multifaceted nature. I celebrate the idea that beauty comes in many forms and can be found in every aspect of life. Unfortunately, the online reality is that when an Asian woman’s fashion choices cross the limited social boundaries of what is considered “appropriate,” she may face negative labels that diminish her divine feminine essence. I firmly believe that every woman is a living goddess; our ability to create life and our innate nurturing instincts are testaments to this. Discrimination in many workplaces regarding women’s fashion can be seen as a lack of understanding.
Through the Gentle Woman Club, I aspire to create an open space for discussion and mutual understanding. The core principle of my artistic practice is a willingness to experiment. I am unafraid to make genuine mistakes and embrace pivotal moments in my exploration. There is an inherent cost to being an explorer. Ever since I decided to pursue art from a designer’s perspective, I have experienced both fear and excitement about the future. I hope to embark on this journey through art, experimenting with stylistic choices and unconventional fashion, all while learning about life alongside my peers.
You’ve mentioned wanting to express the multi-dimensional aspects of young womanhood through a sense of intimacy. How do you cultivate and convey this intimacy in your visual design projects?
Above all, my primary focus lies in fostering communication with all creative collaborators. Engaging in conversations with artists about their portfolios is a deeply enriching way of getting to know them. In my view, it’s one of the most beautiful ways to connect with another person. Thanks to the internet, I can easily access artists’ websites and swiftly grasp their essence through their artistry. Subsequently, I reach out to the artists who pique my interest and extend invitations to collaborate on projects that align with their talents.
The process of communication holds paramount importance to me. I understand that timing may not always be ideal, but I wholeheartedly appreciate every moment spent conversing with an artist. Art serves as a conduit for our self-expression, and the journey of finding our unique means of self-expression is a source of immense joy for me.
In my designs, I envision women in their private spaces, adorned in exquisite gowns and fabulous fashion as a form of self-expression. We constantly encounter the gazes and attention of others as we navigate the streets of daily life. When a woman is alone and exudes elegance through her fashion choices, I aim to convey the idea that fashion serves as a canvas for creativity and self-care. Self-care is an integral part of my feminine routine, and I draw inspiration from the digital self-care community, where we nurture our souls collectively.
As an independent visual art project, how does the Gentle Woman Club push the boundaries of experimental fashion, and how do you envision its evolution in the coming years?
Embracing all facets of who I am – as an animal, a human being, an artist, a woman, a Sichuanese, and a foreigner, among other categories – has broadened my understanding of existence. My aspiration is to adhere to the guiding principles that define my approach: openness, respect, and authenticity. In the midst of creative sessions, I aim to be transparent about my emotions and intentions. I envision the team naturally coalescing, with each episode unfolding organically as a genuine and unscripted experience.
As a visual artist, what are your future aspirations? Are there any exciting projects or collaborations on the horizon that you can share with us?
My aspiration is to gain a deeper understanding of the world and integrate harmoniously into it. I seek to channel my tumultuous thoughts into meaningful actions and contribute positively to the world. In my role as a creative partner and artist in residence at Màn Rán Studio, my intention is to continue collaborating with independent artists and sharing our collective creations online.
I have a concrete plan to persist in documenting the essence of artists’ womanhood. I hold immense gratitude for the participation of models Katusha Jin, Zixin Chen, and stylist Lei Wang in “Gentle Woman Club” for Episode 1 and 2. Looking ahead, I aspire to reach out to more women artists and engage in profound conversations that delve into themes of humanity, femininity, and spiritual growth.