Qi Pan

Qi Pan is an accessory designer from China. He graduated from London College of Fashion with a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Jewellery. The MA Fashion programme at the Royal College of Art gave him the opportunity to further expand his studies in the field of digital fashion and accessory design. Qi Pan’s designs tend to be presented in the form of headpieces. He sees it as a very expressive and visually striking form.

Qi Pan is dedicated to exploring digital fashion and traditional Chinese culture. Combining digital technology with Chinese traditional handicrafts so that they can live on in new forms of presentation and influence more young people to pay attention to those dying traditional Chinese cultures.

With China's rapid urbanization, many rural areas are transforming into towns, resulting in the neglect and disappearance of traditional cultures. As a young Chinese designer, it is my duty to promote Chinese culture and raise awareness among the younger generation. One traditional celebration that has deeply impacted me is SHEHUO, which I witnessed during visits to the countryside in my childhood. Sadly, this celebration is now rare in China.

Beyond its cultural significance, what fascinates me about SHEHUO is its unique and surreal atmosphere, exemplifying the Chinese grotesque aesthetic. Originally an ancient ritual, SHEHUO has evolved into a celebration that still carries a strong sense of history and religion. As a civilian celebration, many performers are not professionals, resulting in imperfect makeup techniques that enhance its overall eccentricity. Dressed in ancient costumes and painted faces representing various characters, they create a visually striking contrast against the backdrop of modernized towns.

Inspired by the beauty and grotesque aesthetics of SHEHUO, I have designed a headpiece named 'Heir.' This piece represents the connection between the past and present, symbolizing the inheritance of cultural traditions. By incorporating the essence of SHEHUO into my design, I strive to preserve and promote this fading tradition. 'Heir' is a symbolic work, with each wearer becoming an heir to traditional Chinese culture, carrying its legacy forward.

SHEHUO is a spontaneous traditional celebration by the people, popular mainly in rural north-west of China.

Historical records show that Shehuo existed in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). "SHE" originally meant the god of the land and "HUO" originally meant fire, which was believed by the ancients to have the magical power to drive away evil spirits.

Originally a ritual for worshipping the gods, SHEHUO gradually developed into a celebration and prayer for a good harvest during its long evolution.

What attracted me most to this traditional Chinese folk celebration was its overall atmosphere, which displayed a Chinese grotesque aesthetic. According to my research, SHEHUO was a ritual in ancient times that evolved over time into a celebration.

But even today, this event still retains a strong sense of history and religion. SHEHUO has a surprisingly out-of-reality character compared to conventional celebrations. The grotesque aesthetics of the SHEHUO performance provided a unique vehicle for my imagination and inspired me.

Tian-tsui is a style of Chinese art featuring kingfisher feathers. For 2,000 years, the Chinese have been using the iridescent blue feathers of kingfisher birds as an inlay for fine art objects and adornment, from hairpins,headdresses, and fans to panels and screens. Kingfisher feathers are painstakingly cut and glued onto gilt silver.

The use of kingfisher feathers resulted in the mass slaughter of many kingfisher species. Kingfisher art as a high art form came to an end during the Chinese Revolution in the 1940s. The kingfisher is now a nationally protected animal. The jewellery that is produced is made using a substitute (e.g., dyed goose feathers or silk). There are very few people who know this craft anymore.

'DESIGN DEVELOPMENTS'

Qi Pan

Social

About

Royal College of Art