Deliberate Time
思华年

by Lusi Cai 

This collection, incorporates my in-depth investigation of Chinese traditional musical instruments and the study of their history and culture. In my creations, every piece of clothing represents a specific musical instrument. My desire is to spread and popularize Chinese traditional national musical instruments and techniques. As well, I bridge time-honored Chinese embroidery techniques with western aesthetics in my garment patterning and silhouettes, asking viewers to slow down and examine the details. My design reflects a strong opinion- that the continuation of history and culture depends on constant propaganda and inheritance from generation to generation to last.


历史和文化的延续取决于一代又一代人的不断宣传和传承。《思华年》这个系列的设计灵感来源于我对中国传统乐器的历史文化深入了解和研究。这个系列的每一套服装都代表了一种特定的古代乐器。我希望能够通过这种设计来传播和普及中国古代乐器文化。在我的服装的轮廓和面料制作里有许多将历史悠久的中国刺绣技术与西方美学融合起来的设计，因此观众可以放慢脚步，观察服装的结构和细节。

Lusi Cai 蔡缕丝 is a senior fiber major with a minor in experimental fashion at Maryland Institute College of Art. She was born in Guangdong, China, and immigrated to the United States at age 14. She has always felt the studies of her Chinese heritage to be incomplete. She maintains a high curiosity about historical Chinese culture, while constantly accepting and excavating western art and design. As a fashion designer, she applies her research to her garments. Her love for history, exquisite details, and patience are reflected in her work.



Lusi Cai, Photographer
Leah Li, Make up
Hannah Harder, Model