Yin and yang

For Wang You Yi, 32, the art of creating fashion is a very natural thing. Born and raised in Shanghai, she uses traditional Chinese art forms, and has created modern and elegant fashion illustrations for a decade. “I have been fond of art since I was a little child. At the age of 14, I started to receive the basic professional art training,” she says.

She received her degree in Design at the Sichuan Art College, and after graduation, she has since worked on improving her skill in blending Chinese art and modern fashion. In 2009 she was a Nominee at the Iconique Societás Awards for her fashion illustrations.

“Traditional Chinese art and culture are the basis of my artwork,” she states. “Though Chinese art always gives a traditionalist impression, I think it’s very fashionable, too.”

At first, it was difficult to express Western fashion with an Oriental touch. However, the idea stuck to her head, and she tried all possible avenues. Finally, she found a way, and she liked how her ink creations came out. It also paid a lot of attention to current trends in the runway, and paid homage to fashion icons like  Karl Lagerfeld, Issey Miyake, and Miuccia Prada, plus models Kate Moss and Freja Beha Erichsen.

Upon asking what  her upcoming creations would be, she said simply, “An unexpected and unique aesthetic feeling.”