Our MA15 graduate season opens this week with the MA Costume Design for Performance Final Showcase on Thursday 4th December. Throughout MA15 season we will be profiling students from across our graduate school to find out about their inspirations, future plans and advice to potential postgraduate students. First up is MA Costume Design for Performance student Yue Zhou.
Image from MA Costume Design for Performance graduate Yue Zhou’s piece
LCF News: Tell us about your final piece of work?
My final performance is based on a Chinese chivalry (Wuxia) story. I have chosen the female heroine Ziye, who is a highly skilled medic and can heal the injured men. She was entangled in a love triangle with men from different backgrounds who are both highly skilled in martial arts and both in love with her. However when she becomes fatally injured they cannot save her. The artistic work is defined by a mixture of chivalric culture, martial arts techniques and movements turned into sculptures figuring a contemporary manifestation of ancient Chinese tradition within costume design. The costume and performance will explore the concept of how the power and meaning of femininity changes with time, the poignancy of becoming a woman and her connection with her body.
LCF News: What did you do before your MA at LCF?
I studied BA (Hons) Fashion Contour at LCF.
LCF News: What are your future plans?
I will continue with my plan to create bespoke lingerie and bodywear but with a focus on the performance industry. I am going to set up my design label E.L.F Zhou with a strong ethnic and design philosophy in London.
LCF News: How do you think the course will help you to realise these plans?
This course gave me an extra year of doing some extremely creative work. The experience of collaborating and communicating with industry people from different backgrounds really helped me to widen my view. It is amazing to see my vision of making a dress combined with my personal philosophy turn into a visual performance. I have greatly sharpened my decision making, organisational and critical analysis skills. I have learned to be willing to take risks, experiment in both design and production areas and to continuously learn from my mistakes.
LCF News: What advice would you give to anyone considering studying an MA at LCF?
Be critical, creative and practical. Identify your personal style and apply that professionally to everything you do.
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